TECMO

in #steemstem6 years ago

One of my goals this year is to build a remote observatory for astronomical imaging equipment: The Elizabeth Crosby Memorial Observatory (TECMO). This blog will be dedicated to covering the activities of TECMO and topics related to variable star observing in general. TECMO's mission is to monitor long period, short period, cataclysmic, and other variable stars of interest in support of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). TECMO will be located outside of Charleston, South Carolina and feature the equipment listed below.

TECMO Astronomical Equipment

tecmo.png

Telescope

FeatureSpecifications
DesignSchmidt-Cassegrain (Celestron ASGT)
MountingCG-5 German Equatorial Mount (GEM)
Aperture203.2 mm (8 in)
F number6.3
Focal distance=Aperture x F number1280 mm

CCD

FeatureSpecifications
SensorSBIG ST-8XE CCD
Sensor pixel size9 μm
Pixel Array (x)1530 pixels
Pixel Array (y)1020 pixels
Resolution=(pixel size/focal length) x 206.2651.45 arcsec/pixel
Typical seeing4 arcsec
Expected FWHM=Typical seeing / Resolution2.76 pixels
Field of View37 x 25 arcmin (2219 x 1479 arcsec

Software:

TECMO's telescope and sensor are controlled by a combination of an INDI webserver running on a Raspberry Pi 2 and the observatory control tool Ekos. The images are processed in Maxim DL and photometry is performed online with VPhot, available for free to members of the AAVSO.

Stay tuned for future updates on the status of the observatory and its construction.

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@ptsouth97 why would you want to be remote? Would being near by make the telescope slightly shaky? I get that with long exposure shots.. need to step away so my movement does not influence the shot.

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Raspberry Pi

It's a good pie! :D