Improving the focus of Las Cumbres Observatory’s 1-meter telescopes

N. Volgenau; D. Harbeck; T. Lister; P. Conway; L. Lindstrom

doi:10.1117/12.2561980

13 December 2020 Improving the focus of Las Cumbres Observatory’s 1-meter telescopes

N. Volgenau, D. Harbeck, T. Lister, P. Conway, L. Lindstrom

Proceedings Volume 11449, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VIII; 1144929 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561980
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

In Las Cumbres Observatory’s global network, the 1-meter telescopes are in greatest demand. Beginning in 2019, we undertook an investigation into the focus stability of these telescopes. We also refined the procedures for setting and maintaining optimal focus. The investigation showed the sensitivity of the telescopes’ optical components to temperature variations. The temperatures within the domes, as well as along the telescopes, are rarely stable for the first 80-120 minutes of science observations. A consequence is that start-of-night focus corrections must later be countered by additional corrections after thermalization. We report the various improvements to telescope focus that our investigation has spawned. The start-of-night focus corrections are now made immediately before science observations begin. Focus checks are now monitored during the night and trigger actionable alerts if they fail. Finally, we report on our effort to use the guide cameras as real-time focus sensors.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

N. Volgenau, D. Harbeck, T. Lister, P. Conway, and L. Lindstrom "Improving the focus of Las Cumbres Observatory’s 1-meter telescopes", Proc. SPIE 11449, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VIII, 1144929 (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561980

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available