TOASTTransient Object Automated Search TelescopeTimothy YoungTricia JohnsonChris MilfordRob CzapiewskiDepartment of PhysicsMichael SprengelerConcordiaLohit GaddampollyDepartment of Computer Science Michael GerszewskiRyan KramerSpace Studies

FundingFaculty Start-up NASA (match Provost, Physics and Space Studies)AAS (American Astronomical Society) Dakota Science CenterPhysics Space Studies

Briefly what TOAST is10 MEADE telescope Dome Robo-domeCamera CCD ST-7e Santa Barbara Instrumentation GroupFilter Wheel BVRI, clearSoftware TheSky, CCDsoft, DDW, Orchestrate, Lohit-Young software.

TimelineNovember 2000 Toast originally was two telescopes combined in a roll-off roof. The proposal was rejected.April 2001 - CCD Camera and filter wheel purchased.Summer 2001 - REU 8 Meade telescope on top of Witmer. Michael Sprengeler.Software control telescope, camera, and new software to automate the system.

ST-7e765 x 510 pixels390,0006.9 x 4.6 mm

SoftwareProvides connection to telescopeProvides connection to cameraCoordinates actions of CCDSoft and TheSky

Up on the roof at Witmer

TimelineAugust 2001 first test of automation mode. 60 asteroids were observed in a single night.Some in multiple filters. Second test (next night) focuser went out.Ended the testing

TimelineSummer 2001 contracted concrete foundation and concrete pier. Design the metal pier.No money for power and ethernet cables, which had to wait until spring.

TimelineSeptember 2001- Redesign base. Trips to Witmer basement. Designing a mount without seeing the wedge that sits on it.October 2001 Dome arrives. Where to put it? PSO was not ready, so Graeme Dewars Lab.

ROBO-DOME from Technical Innovations, Inc.

Dome automation with be through Digital DomeworksSpecificationsWorks in cold climates (Fairbanks, Alaska)Slaves to telescope, fits up to 10 MeadeAbout 4 Feet in Height About the same in Diameter

TimelineJanuary 2002, Money for the cables, but had the work order in since Dec. In April I call, never got it. In May they say they are booked until October.I call and say we need it immediately, we get a break and it is completed over the summer.

TimelineNov 2001 present: Dome testing. Dome computer board was sent back twice. Relay problem Software incompatibilityDome Azimuth gear wore out.Dome 2 modes of operation, not working.Company changed ownership. UND had gotten the last Robo-dome from the original owner.

TimelineFebruary 2002 present: Computer 1.8 GHz Pentium IV(2) 60 GB HD256 SDRAMProjected image down load 500KB 60 images 5 filters. Fill both drives in 3 months.

Connections: Camera Parallel portTelescope serial portDome serial portWebcam USBEthernet cardProblem needed to turn off some appliances.Firecracker remote power switchesBut needed serial ports.

TimelineFebruary 2002 - Automation: Needed a program to run the other programs and organize an observing run. Lohit is hired to write software. It access an object database of 88,000 and organizes an observing run based on time rises, sets, limiting magnitude. Then places the data into an appropriate folder at the initiation of the observing run. Lowel Obs.

TimelineMarch 2002 - We install all programs.We install VNCWe get Hacked and virus We load a firewall

TelescopeMeade LX200 10 telescope f/6.3Limiting magnitude 16.5 - 17.0SBIG ST-7E CCDFOV size (10X15)CFW-8 filter wheel Johnson BVRI

TimelineJune 2002 AAS - 10 GPS scope arrivesJuly 2002 Sent back to Meade. August 2002 Doesnt work with Dome software. Board for dome gets sent back.During scope test condensation needed to be removed. Dew Zapper.

TimelineNovember 2002:Finally everything is at the observatory. Barely fits.Computer needs keyboard. But also monitor?As we change out equipment and do checks we take off the dome. The synthetic fiber track falls off. The top dome part comes back to Witmer and re-glued.

On cold winter nights in the observatory trailer this is what happensYou turn into an elfNo insulation A small heater never heats upNo bathroomNo waterEquivalent to a research station in Antarctica

Motivation

Why do this? There are other, bigger telescopes that do this.

But there is nothing like having your own.

TOAST First Light Image(remote) Thursday February 27, 2003

PurposeOriginally: to automatically obtain follow-up observations on Minor PlanetsNow: Search for other transients Supernovae, Novae, Comets, and gamma-ray bursts.

Goals

Procedure: 1) Obtain asteroid information from MPC2) Observe critical/follow-up asteroids 3) Astrometry and Mag. (also bands)4) Send data back to MPC

Research telescope transient objectsFaculty and students

Galatea-74

SN 1999em

Gamma-ray Bursts

Student Involvement-digital image analysis-computer programming-astronomy-problem solving

Sequence of events During the day TOAST calculates an observing scheduleComes online 1 hour after sunset. Lohit-Young program sent to OrchestrateDownloads to local computer1 hour before sunset the system shuts off.Morning student identifies transient objects.

Discovery Algorithms Automation to be determined: How to put in a repeat observationsHow to analyze the data in real time.Send out email for new object.

Closing remarksReactions to TOAST

Michael Meyer Steward Observatory UofAWe dont even do that at Kitt Peak, its too hard

Alex Filippenko UC-BerkeleyThat is really neat, I need pictures of this

Dr. Granzio UofChicago There are not many of these around, you need to get on the HETE first alert system