Remote Observing at the Remote Observing at the Dark Ridge ObservatoryDark Ridge Observatory

And Beyond…And Beyond…

Thomas C. Smith, Director, Dark Ridge ObservatoryThomas C. Smith, Director, Dark Ridge Observatory

STAR 2008, San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaSTAR 2008, San Luis Obispo, California

A Statement of FactA Statement of Fact

Students that utilize remote Students that utilize remote observatories to conduct their observatories to conduct their scientific research are often scientific research are often at at the mercy and whims of the the mercy and whims of the observatory owner/operatorobservatory owner/operator

What is the ProblemWhat is the Problem

In today’s growing arsenal of In today’s growing arsenal of remote observatories, many remote observatories, many have provided the use of their have provided the use of their equipment for both research and equipment for both research and astrophotography but for most astrophotography but for most remote sites the support ends remote sites the support ends therethere

So What’s DifferentSo What’s Different

At the Dark Ridge Observatory At the Dark Ridge Observatory students are made a part of the students are made a part of the entire observatory and observing entire observatory and observing process including data reduction, process including data reduction, analysis and incorporation into analysis and incorporation into scientific papers in both refereed and scientific papers in both refereed and non-refereed scientific journals non-refereed scientific journals

A Bit More DetailA Bit More Detail

At the Dark Ridge Observatory the At the Dark Ridge Observatory the student is guided through the student is guided through the nuances of the host equipment to nuances of the host equipment to achieve scientific accuracy for their achieve scientific accuracy for their measurementsmeasurements

This process provides mentoring for This process provides mentoring for the student in areas of data the student in areas of data collection, reduction and collection, reduction and understanding of the use of understanding of the use of astronomical images in scienceastronomical images in science

IntroductionIntroduction

Three fall semesters in 2005/6/7 (Cuesta Three fall semesters in 2005/6/7 (Cuesta Community College and the California Community College and the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California)California)

Hands-on observations made at the Dark Hands-on observations made at the Dark Ridge Observatory in Atascadero, CA.Ridge Observatory in Atascadero, CA.

Remote observations made at the Dark Remote observations made at the Dark Ridge Observatory in Weed, New MexicoRidge Observatory in Weed, New Mexico

Having “the” expert on the equipment a Having “the” expert on the equipment a major part of the science projectmajor part of the science project

Dark Ridge ObservatoryDark Ridge Observatory

The Dark Ridge Observatory (DRO) is now The Dark Ridge Observatory (DRO) is now located in the Sacramento Mountains of located in the Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexicosoutheastern New Mexico

Elevation 7100 feet (2164 meters)Elevation 7100 feet (2164 meters) Winter/Spring best with monsoon-like Winter/Spring best with monsoon-like

conditions in the summer and early fallconditions in the summer and early fall Clear night seeing (0.7 – 2.0 arc-seconds Clear night seeing (0.7 – 2.0 arc-seconds

typical, early measurements of a prototype typical, early measurements of a prototype DIMM seeing monitor)DIMM seeing monitor)

501(c)(3) non-profit observatory utilizing 501(c)(3) non-profit observatory utilizing the equipment and facilities of the Dark the equipment and facilities of the Dark Ridge RanchRidge Ranch

DRO (continued)DRO (continued)

Early vision of the observatory Early vision of the observatory phase one.phase one.

The proposed rendition looking at phase 1 of the DRO construction effort.

DRO (continued)DRO (continued)

Current construction progress.Current construction progress.

View out the control room window to the first of three roll-off observatories in phase 1 of the construction work.

Equipment available at DROEquipment available at DRO

One 8” LX200R telescope w/DIMM (seeing) capabilitiesOne 8” LX200R telescope w/DIMM (seeing) capabilities Two 14” LX200/GPS(R) telescopes w/ parallel-mounted 5” f/5 Two 14” LX200/GPS(R) telescopes w/ parallel-mounted 5” f/5

refractorsrefractors The Dark Ridge 20” Alt-Az Ritchie-Chrétien (being rebuilt)The Dark Ridge 20” Alt-Az Ritchie-Chrétien (being rebuilt) The Morgan 24” Cassegrain hosted for the AAVSO (soon)The Morgan 24” Cassegrain hosted for the AAVSO (soon) One SBIG ST-7XE CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filtersOne SBIG ST-7XE CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters One SBIG ST-8XME CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters and One SBIG ST-8XME CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters and

external guide headexternal guide head One Apogee AP-8 CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc and HOne Apogee AP-8 CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc and Hαα, H, Hββ and and

OIII narrowband filters (for the 20” RC)OIII narrowband filters (for the 20” RC) One Meade DSI (color) CCD cameraOne Meade DSI (color) CCD camera One Meade DSI Pro II (monochromatic) CCD cameraOne Meade DSI Pro II (monochromatic) CCD camera One SBIG ST-402 CCD camera (clear filter only)One SBIG ST-402 CCD camera (clear filter only) One SBIG DSS-7 SpectrographOne SBIG DSS-7 Spectrograph One SBIG SGS Spectrograph (1800rules/mm in Hi-Res and One SBIG SGS Spectrograph (1800rules/mm in Hi-Res and

600rules/mm in Low-Res)600rules/mm in Low-Res) Focal reducer/field-flatteners for the LX200 systemsFocal reducer/field-flatteners for the LX200 systems Davis site weather stationDavis site weather station

Science CollaborationsScience Collaborations

Students have been involved in the Students have been involved in the following areas:following areas: Double star astrometry using CCD camerasDouble star astrometry using CCD cameras Exo-planet follow-up using time-series Exo-planet follow-up using time-series

photometryphotometry Newly discovered variable star time-series Newly discovered variable star time-series

photometry in conjunction with the Global photometry in conjunction with the Global Network of Astronomical Telescopes (GNAT) Network of Astronomical Telescopes (GNAT) directed by Dr. Eric Crainedirected by Dr. Eric Craine

New hardware investigations (dual-channel New hardware investigations (dual-channel photometer SAS2006)photometer SAS2006)

Discovering instrument limitations (Purposeful Discovering instrument limitations (Purposeful Defocus paper AAS 2005)Defocus paper AAS 2005)

And more…And more…

So What Makes the DifferenceSo What Makes the Difference

Deciding the science to be performedDeciding the science to be performed Having the equipment expert or “SME” Having the equipment expert or “SME”

mentoring the studentsmentoring the students Choosing the observing parameters and Choosing the observing parameters and

iterative testing to obtain the proper setupiterative testing to obtain the proper setup Near real-time data image collection and Near real-time data image collection and

reductionreduction Sending the finalized data analysis to the Sending the finalized data analysis to the

student for inclusion in their publicationstudent for inclusion in their publication

A Typical CollaborationA Typical Collaboration

During the start of a student During the start of a student collaboration there are many collaboration there are many things that need attending to things that need attending to before the actual images are before the actual images are takentaken

Here is one such example email Here is one such example email conversation that took place:conversation that took place:

Jo,I managed to get the computer for the 14” fixed and imaged all four of the M stars tonight. I’ll put it together in an Excel spreadsheet like the previous ones but only after I get the paper parts that I owe you together first. Here is a teaser “RAW” image for you of STF 126AB.

Thomas C. SmithDark Ridge Observatory

Hi Tom, attached are what I think are the components. for whatever reason, GRB 34AB is not centered. STF 72 has an incredibly sparse field very similar to 3 Peg. STF 126AB has several possible secondary stars. however, I believe the brightest one is the secondary because it is comparable to other tenth magnitude stars on Aladin. Jo

Hi Jo, The declinations of all the stars are well placed for decent observations. Most are quite bright however but this should not make it too difficult to image them. Right now I am in the middle of a horrific wind storm with gusts over 80 miles an hours. It has also been raining here and cloudy when not raining so I have done no imaging beyond what I did a week ago. If the weather patter holds to the predictions it should be really nice for the next three days/nights so maybe I can get a chance to image these systems. Have you looked at them on Aladin to see if you can identify the components? I'll let you know what I find. Thomas C. Smith Dark Ridge Observatory

Hi Tom, I have done a little bit of 'data mining' in the WDS Catalog and have found a few interesting M type double stars. Only one is a confirmed binary (GRB 34AB). HJ 5453AB hasn't changed theta in almost 200 years and it's rho has only changed 0.1'. just judging by numbers alone (although I still have a lot to learn about it), STF 72 and STF 126AB seem to have similar proper motion, and their rho and theta are changing somewhat rapidly compared to HJ 5453AB. all are brighter than mag 11.1 and have separations greater than 23'. Jo

Collaboration (continued)Collaboration (continued)

Although this data is from a different Although this data is from a different star than that of the previous star than that of the previous conversation it shows the way that conversation it shows the way that the student receives the data when the student receives the data when fully processed at DRO, however it is fully processed at DRO, however it is encouraged that the student perform encouraged that the student perform their own analysis, guided by DRO.their own analysis, guided by DRO.

Student PapersStudent Papers

Here is a non-comprehensive list of papers, Here is a non-comprehensive list of papers, authored by the students, that have been reviewed authored by the students, that have been reviewed by, produced at or in cooperation with the Dark by, produced at or in cooperation with the Dark Ridge ObservatoryRidge Observatory ““Light Curves of Two GNAT MG1 Survey Stars: A One-Light Curves of Two GNAT MG1 Survey Stars: A One-

Semester Community College Pilot Research Project”: Semester Community College Pilot Research Project”: JAAVSO 12/18/2006JAAVSO 12/18/2006

““A Compact, Off-the-Shelf Low-Cost Dual Channel A Compact, Off-the-Shelf Low-Cost Dual Channel Photometer”. Presented at 2006 SASPhotometer”. Presented at 2006 SAS

““An Experiment in Relating CCD Differential Photometric An Experiment in Relating CCD Differential Photometric Precision to Varying Degrees of Image Focus”: AAS 2005Precision to Varying Degrees of Image Focus”: AAS 2005

““Measurements of a Visual Double Star STF-2079”: JDSOMeasurements of a Visual Double Star STF-2079”: JDSO ““High School Observations of the Visual Double Star 3-High School Observations of the Visual Double Star 3-

Pegasi”: JDSOPegasi”: JDSO ……

The “Real” MagicThe “Real” Magic

Students actually performing hands-on Students actually performing hands-on data collection that was used for a data collection that was used for a publication sited on the preceding slide.publication sited on the preceding slide.

A three-student team working at the Orion Observatory being advised and mentored by the Dark Ridge Observatory

ConclusionConclusion

Dark Ridge Observatory and the interactive Dark Ridge Observatory and the interactive work that is conducted between the work that is conducted between the students and the on-site SME really make students and the on-site SME really make a significant difference in the way the a significant difference in the way the students both learn about science through students both learn about science through astronomy as well as the way they get astronomy as well as the way they get ENERGIZEDENERGIZED for all their future endeavors. for all their future endeavors.

It takes a lot of work and patience to It takes a lot of work and patience to accomplish first-rate astronomical science accomplish first-rate astronomical science and in the production, presentation of their and in the production, presentation of their work into journals, speaking at recognized work into journals, speaking at recognized conferences and this is where Dark Ridge conferences and this is where Dark Ridge Observatory and student collaboration is Observatory and student collaboration is really making a profound difference.really making a profound difference.

Recent News at DRORecent News at DRO

The Dark Ridge 20” RC Alt-Az telescope is The Dark Ridge 20” RC Alt-Az telescope is in the shop for rebuild and placement in it’s in the shop for rebuild and placement in it’s new permanent roll-off observatory new permanent roll-off observatory building.building.

The AAVSO has acquired the Lowell The AAVSO has acquired the Lowell “Morgan” 24” Cassegrain telescope and “Morgan” 24” Cassegrain telescope and has choose the Dark Ridge Observatory to has choose the Dark Ridge Observatory to upgrade and host it on the ridge top in upgrade and host it on the ridge top in Weed, New Mexico! This will be the Weed, New Mexico! This will be the AAVSO’s northern hemisphere research AAVSO’s northern hemisphere research telescope.telescope.

What an honor!What an honor!

The Dark Ridge ObservatoryThe Dark Ridge ObservatoryThanks You!Thanks You!

Any questions?Any questions?

Thomas C. SmithDirector, Dark Ridge Observatory701 NM Hwy 24, Weed, New Mexico  88354(575) 687-2168http://www.DarkRidgeObservatory.orga 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit, scientific research and educational charitable organization.“High on the ridge and high on astronomical research and education”