Robotic telescopes and the BAA : a remote observing proposal

Richard Miles and Roger Dymock

Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 118 (4), 224–225, August 2008

Introduction A significant advance in amateur astronomy in recent years has been the setting up and use of remotely operated or robotic telescopes. There are a number of advantages in this, as mentioned below under ‘Role of the Robotic Telescope Coordinator’ (for which a volunteer is required). Access to telescopes positioned at various longitudes and in both hemispheres makes a wider range of objects available to the observer, and not necessarily in the middle of the night. Use of such facilities need not be expensive, especially when compared with the cost of setting up one’s own observatory from scratch. Robotic telescopes are available to suit the beginner – SLOOH, for example – and the more experienced observer, such as Global Rent-A-Scope (GRAS) and the Faulkes Telescopes.
Figure 1 is typical of the images which can be obtained using the SLOOH telescope situated on Mount Teide in the Canary Islands. The image shown in Figure 2 was obtained by Martin Mobberley using a GRAS telescope located in Australia. This demonstrates that all of the sky, not just the hemisphere in which you are located, is available to robotic telescope users. An example of what can be achieved is shown by recent observations of asteroid 2008 HJ by Richard Miles using the 2-metre Faulkes South telescope. The lightcurve – Figure 3 – revealed that the object has a rotation period of 42.67±0.04s, which is the shortest known rotation period of any natural body in the solar system. The proposal below was developed by ourselves and presented to the BAA Council on 2008 April 30. It was unanimously supported by those present, and it was agreed that initially a sum of £1,200 (£100 per month) from the Ridley Grant fund should be used to support the project. It was also agreed that a Robotic Telescope Coordinator would be recruited, and that this role would be positioned within the Instruments and Imaging Section. Background A prime raison d’être of the BAA is ‘To promote the association of observers... for mutual help, and their organisation in the work of astronomical observation’. (Memorandum of Association, 3(b).) Unfortunately, UK-based observers particularly are often at a disadvantage because of poor weather, light pollution in towns and cities, or because of our latitude (50°–56° N), which prevents access to many celestial phenomena further south, and also means that our summer nights are very short. Facilities provided by remotely operated telescopes have come of age in the last few years, and it is suggested that the Association should investigate ways in which their utilisation can further the aims and objectives of the BAA. Activities in this area could be highlighted in a special section of the Journal and on the website, thereby furthering the Association’s aims. Proposal The proposal is to establish a new position, namely that of Robotic Telescope Coordinator (RTC), and to set aside funds to promote an active programme of remote observation by our members, probably initially using the facilities of Global Rent-a-Scope (GRAS). A study into available robotic facilities has been carried out by the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section, mainly by Alan Cahill, the conclusion of which was that GRAS is the only facility which potentially meets observers’ requirements at present. Since then, several members have had positive first-hand experience of GRAS. GRAS has also upgraded its operation recently, establishing a scheme which encourages use of many of its telescopes for research – the telescope time costing a half or a third of that of the large-format CCD ‘imaging’ ‘scopes. Observers participating in the scheme should themselves pay a significant proportion of the cost levied by GRAS, possibly amounting to 75%. Since the Association should be able to negotiate an attractive discount, this might equate to a saving to individuals of about one half. Observing Sections expected to utilise the facility include the Variable Star Section, Comet Section, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section, and Deep Sky Section. Planet and planetary satellite observation can also be envisaged. Role of the Robotic Telescope Coordinator		Figure 1 M41, Aristotle’s Cluster, imaged by SLOOH, Mount Teide, Canary Islands (28° 17' N, 16° 30' W). Figure 2 V5579 Sagittarii (Nova Sgr 2008) imaged by Martin Mobberley on 2008 April 19.771 UT with the 25-cm f/6 Ritchey–Chrétien telescope at GRAS, Moorook, Australia (34° 16' S, 140° 20' E). Figure 3 Lightcurve of asteroid 2008 HJ from Faulkes Telescope observations by Richard Miles. If you are interested in serving as the Association’s first Robotic Telescope Coordinator, please contact: Richard Miles Assistant Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section rmiles@baa.u-net.com Tel: 01963 364651 Roger Dymock Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section
►	Review previous experience (such as that of Alan Cahill, Richard Miles and other members with experience of using robotic telescopes).
►	Define and implement procedures for submitting and accepting requests for telescope time, and resolving disputes over such requests.
►	Define ownership of images and data.
►	Define and implement procedures for charging for time on the telescopes, including buying bulk time for the BAA with discounts, and subletting the time to members (contact facility owners regarding this particular aspect).
►	Promote the concept to BAA members – in particular those who are ‘telesc-opically disadvantaged’ (disabled, no observing site, cannot afford capital outlay, poor UK weather, light pollution, and so on), also emphasising ease of use (minimum setup time) and keeping warm!
►	Communicate with members via website, e-mail newsletter and workshops.
►	Prepare a presentation for an Ordinary Meeting to explore the concept.
►	Work with Sections to assess suitability for their work.
►	Demonstrate by own usage and that of other imagers (BAA and non-BAA) what can be done – beginners to advanced amateurs, image processing, astrometry, photometry, and so on.
►	Act as mentor and liaise with other mentors to assist newcomers in the art of remote observing.
►	Research any new and updated facilities for applicability for amateur and BAA use, and determine whether they may be advantageous.