You have requested a machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Neither SPIE nor the owners and publishers of the content make, and they explicitly disclaim, any express or implied representations or warranties of any kind, including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to the functionality of the translation feature or the accuracy or completeness of the translations.
Translations are not retained in our system. Your use of this feature and the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in the Terms and Conditions of Use of the SPIE website.
3 July 1998Apache Point Observatory 3.5-m telescope: operational design and issues
The "new-technology" 3.5-meter telescope at Apache Point Observatory has been in routine operations since 1994. Designed to enable nearly full remote operation via the Internet, remote use of the telescope comprises two-thirds cf all observing. Rapid instrument change capabilities and flexible scheduling allow for some optimized science utilization. Several science programs can share the telescope on a given night, using more than one scientific instrument. Remote users can also collaboratively use the telescope simultaneously from different geographical locations. Synoptic observing programs and rapid-response observations are routinely accommodated. More than two hundred observers have used the telescope remotely, and by the end of I 997 more than 60 scientific publications based on telescope data have appeared in the journals. Several scenarios for operating the telescope have been explored. The current scheme is to schedule the telescope by quarters based on prioritized proposals submitted by the consortium member institutions. Except for short synoptic observations and targets of opportunity, each night is divided into halves. These half-night blocks provide adequate time on target plus calibration time, and provide simplification ofthe scheduling process which is done manually. Enhancements to telescope performance and efficiency are underway, which will provide broader scientific potential and support more exotic scheduling and operational paradigms. "Remote" queue and adaptive scheduling are conceivable, and the use of existing "Al-assisted" scheduling aides is also under consideration. Keywords: remote observing, Internet, 3.5-meter telescope, Astrophysical Research Consortium, ARC, Apache Point Observatory
Bruce Gillespie
"Apache Point Observatory 3.5-m telescope: operational design and issues", Proc. SPIE 3349, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return, (3 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316525
The alert did not successfully save. Please try again later.
Bruce Gillespie, "Apache Point Observatory 3.5-m telescope: operational design and issues," Proc. SPIE 3349, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return, (3 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316525