Field Camera Unit of the Spektr-UF Mission: New Design and Scientific Tasks

Solar System Research - Spektr-UF is a multipurpose space observatory equipped with a telescope with a primary mirror 170 cm in diameter. The main task of the observatory is obtaining...     

Wide‐Field Plate Archive of the University Observatory Jena

We present the archive of the wide‐field plate observations obtained at the University Observatory Jena, which is stored at the Astrophysical Institute of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The archive contains plates taken in the period February 1963 to December 1982 with the 60/90/180‐cm Schmidt telescope of the university observatory. A computer‐readable version of the plate metadata catalogue (for 1257 plates), the logbooks, as well as the digitized Schmidt plates in low and high resolution are now accessible to the astronomical community.This paper describes the properties of the archive, as well as the processing procedure of all plates in detail. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

WSO-UV—ultraviolet mission for the next decade

The World Space Observatory UltraViolet (WSO–UV) is an international space mission devoted to UV spectroscopy and imaging. The observatory includes a 170 cm aperture telescope capable of high-resolution and long slit low-resolution spectroscopy, and deep UV and optical imaging. The observatory is designed for observations in the ultraviolet domain where most of astrophysical processes can be efficiently studied with unprecedented capability.     

Micrometer measurements of visual double stars at Calar Alto

We present 93 micrometer measurements of 55 double stars observed with the 152 cm telescope at the Spanish observatory at Calar Alto (Almeria, Spain).     

Solar vector magnetograms of the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory

The title instrument is mounted on the 65 cm solar Coudé telescope at the Okayama observatory. Observation is usually of the Fei 5250 Å line. The data obtained are briefly described.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Observational capabilities of the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph at the 1.6-m telescope of the Sayan Observatory

The capabilities of the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph installed recently on the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope at the Sayan Observatory of the Institute of Solar–Terrestrial Physics to solve the problems of ground-based optical support for the future all-skyX-ray survey of the SRGobservatory are discussed. Results of the test observations of galaxy clusters, active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasars, and cataclysmic variables performed immediately after the installation of the spectrograph on the telescope are presented. The results of these observations show that the AZT-33IK telescope equipped with the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph can provide a substantial fraction of the necessary optical observations in the program of ground-based optical support for the all-sky survey of the SRG observatory.     

“Spektr-UF” project

The “Spektr-UF” project is intended for the design and development of a large space observatory operating in the ultraviolet (UV) band of the spectrum inaccessible for survey from the surface of the Earth. The main observatory instrument is a space telescope T-170M with a primary mirror 1.7 m in diameter; it will be equipped with high and low resolution spectrographs and cameras for high-quality UV imaging. In respect of capabilities, the project is similar to the American Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and exceeds the latter in some parameters. The project is included in the Russian Federal Space Program for the period 2006–2015. The launch is planned for 2016. The project is under development by the Lavochkin Association in cooperation with the Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences.     

基于TINI系统的网络气象站

介绍了基于TINI的网络气象站系统。给出了基于TINI系统的网络气象站的硬件结构及软件结构;并且介绍了本系统在2.4m望远镜系统中的应用。     

用于2.4m望远镜的网络气象站

在进行天文观测时,天气因素的影响是很大的,为适应天文观测技术发展的要求,在2.4m镜附近需要建立一个网络气象站,一方面可以对天气状况实时监测,另一方面其他设备可以从网上查询并使用这些数据,以满足2.4m望远镜必须要有气象状况输入才能正常地在RoboticMode下工作的要求。文中介绍了1 wirenet气象站的原理以及软硬件设计。     

SBG camera of Kourovka Astronomical observatory

The set-up and principle of operation of the systems of the SBG telescope, which was upgraded in 2005–2006 at the Kourovka Astronomical observatory, are described in detail. The reduction of the field of view (photographic plates replaced by a CCD) is compensated by an increased operation speed, achieved by automating both the telescope drives and image processing procedure.     

A simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric study of two eclipsing binaries: V566 Oph and V972 Her

In this study, we have performed simultaneous solutions of light and radial velocity curves of two eclipsing binary systems, V566 Oph and V972 Her. We observed both systems spectroscopically with a very recently installed spectrograph on the 40 cm telescope, T40, located in Ankara University Kreiken Observatory (AUKR), for the first time. We made use of the photometric data from the Hipparcos satellite for V972 Her, while we obtained the photometric observations of V566 Oph by using the 35 cm telescope, T35, located also in our observatory campus. We derived the absolute parameters for both systems and discussed their evolutionary states. In addition to the simultaneous analysis, we have also analyzed the change in mid-eclipse times for V566 Oph, and found cyclic variations, for which we have discussed light-time effect and magnetic activity as their potential origin, superimposed on a secular change due to a mass transfer between the components of the binary.     

The development of the Schmidt telescope

Bernhard Schmidt (1879–1935) was born in Estonia. After a few years of studying engineering he ran an optical workshop in Mittweida, Saxonia, between 1901 and 1927. Astronomers appreciated the quality of his telescopes. Starting in 1925, on behalf of the Hamburg Observatory, he developed a short focal length optical system with a large field of view. For this purpose, Schmidt moved his workshop to the observatory. He succeeded in inventing the “Schmidt telescope” which allows the imaging of a large field of the sky without any distortions. Schmidt's first telescope (spherical mirror diameter 0.44 m, correction plate 0.36 m diameter, aperture ratio 1:1.75, and focal length 0.625 m) has been used since 1962 at the Boyden Observatory in Bloemfontein/South Africa. Apart from his 0.36m telescope, Schmidt produced a second larger one of 0.60m aperture. Shortly after Schmidt's death, the director of the observatory published details on the invention and production of the Schmidt telescope. After World War II, Schmidt telescopes have been widely used. The first large Schmidt telescope, the “Big Schmidt” (1.26 m), Mount Palomar, USA, was completed in 1948. The 0.80 m Schmidt telescope of Hamburg Observatory, planned since 1936, finished in 1954, is now on Calar Alto/Spain (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Mapping the sun with the RTF-32 radio telescopes

The possibilities of using the RTF-32 radio telescopes of the interferometric QUASAR network for solar observations are investigated. A technique of solar radio mapping with the RTF-32 telescopes is presented. The software developed at the Institute of Applied Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, for reducing such observations is described. The maps of the Sun at 1.35 cm, derived from observations at the Zelenchukskaya observatory November 4–14, 2004, are presented.     

Moving Dipolar Features in an Emerging Flux Region

Solar Physics - On 25 January, 2000, we observed active region NOAA&;nbsp;8844 with the Flare Genesis Experiment (FGE), a balloon-borne observatory with an 80-cm solar telescope. FGE was...     

2.4m望远镜曝光时间计算器的设计和实现

望远镜的曝光时间计算器对于远程观测以及不熟悉整个观测系统的观测人员尤为重要,因为它可以帮助观测者制定合理的观测计划。设计并实现了高美古2.4m望远镜系统的曝光时间计算器(exposuretimecalculator,ETC),它可以根据望远镜及其终端设备的参数,通过计算给出待测天体曝光时间的参考值。这为观测者了解现有条件下极限观测能力,设置曝光时间或者是给定星等和曝光时间计算信噪比提供了依据。将ETC计算结果与实际测光标准星的数据进行了比较,结果表明ETC对测光标准星的计算结果是可靠的。     

Peculiarities of convective motions in the upper solar atmosphere. I

A convective field of intensities and velocities between the levels of continuum origination and the temperature minimum is investigated based on spectral observations of iron lines performed near the center of the solar disc using the 70-cm German vacuum tower telescope (VTT) located at del Teide observatory of the Institute of Astrophysics on the Canaries (Tenerife island). Convective elements in the process of their upward and downward motion change with height not only the sign of the relative contrast but also the direction of motion. The height at which this reversal occurs strongly depends on the velocity and contrast of the convective elements which they had at the level of continuous spectrum formation. On average, the reversal of the velocity takes place at the height of 240 ± 130 km, and that of the contrast occur at the height of 200 ± 65 km.     

2.4m望远镜观测目标查询系统的建立

为提高观测效率,节约运行成本,云南天文台将建立一套2.4 m望远镜远程观测系统.2.4 m望远镜观测目标查询系统作为远程观测系统的一个重要组成部分,它支持国际虚拟天文台通用的VOTable格式;它提供丰富的星表检索,并生成模拟星图和目标列表,同时还具备了交叉证认,距离计算等辅助功能.     

New fast X-ray transient IGR J18462-0223 discovered by the INTEGRAL observatory

Details of the discovery of a new X-ray source, IGR J18462-0223, on October 12, 2007, during a short (several hours), intense (∼35 mCrab at the peak) outburst of hard radiation by the IBIS/ISGRI gamma-ray telescope onboard the INTEGRAL observatory are given. The detection of another earlier outburst from this source occurred on April 28, 2006, in the archival data of the telescope is reported. We present the results of the source’s localization and our spectral/timing analysis of the observational data. The source may turn out to be yet another representative of the continuously growing population of fast X-ray transients, which are the focus of attention because of the identification of their optical counterparts with early-type supergiants.     

The High Resolution Spectrograph for Spectrum UV

The Spectrum-UV mission, a general purpose ultraviolet observatory equipped with a 170-cm aperture telescope for imaging and spectroscopy in the 912 to 3600 Å range, will be launched in a seven days, high elliptical orbit in the late '90s by a Proton booster. The German contribution to the focal plane instrument complex is described: HIRDES, a High Resolution Double Echelle Spectrograph.     

RTS2: Lessons learned from a widely distributed telescope network

RTS2 (Remote Telescope System 2) is a highly modular open source telescope and observatory management software package. It evolved from RTS, which was developed in Python to control a telescope aimed at observing optical transients of γ ray burts. The development of a network system capable of operating robotic telescopes is both difficult and complicated. Along with continued software development one must be concerned with maintaining operations and obtaining results. This is a review of experiences gained building a network of robotic telescopes. It focuses on describing which issues are important during development of the robotic observatory software and requirements for future development of the RTS2 package. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)