Remote observatory in Coonabarabran

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Springbrook remote observatory

Astrophotographers from the northern hemisphere always have the desire to capture images of the southern hemisphere. The duo called "Astrodivers" from Switzerland commissioned Testar to supply, design and install an observatory at the Spring Brook Remote Observatory Facility. For this project we provided
  • Steel Pier
  • Telescope mount
  • Optical tube
  • Computer
  • Camera and filters
  • Guiding Telescope
  • Installation
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The setup is optimised for astrophotography using a fast telescope under the pristine sky of Coonabarabran

Designed by Testar following the strict specification of 10Micron, our piers provide a solid base for mounts. Made from structural steel, hot dip galvanized for a long lasting corrosion protection and painted, this pier is designed to last. The base and the top steel plate have a thickness of 25mm, the tube is 8.2mm thick while the vertical reinforcements increase the frequency of resonance. In telescopes, low frequencies of resonance due to wind or motor tracking must be avoided.  

With a solid 50kg payload capacity and a center-balance equatorial design, the iOptron CEM120 is ideal for permanent setup. It includes a sophisticated power and USB hub with internal cabling and a large dovetail clamp that guarantees a solid connection with the telescope. This model does not have encoders but the high precision mechanical components guarantee a precise tracking.
A perfect field correction corner-to-corner, a solid tube made with CNC aluminium plates and carbon truss tubes, a regulable system of dew heaters and cooling fans and a super fast focal ratio of f/3 make the Delta RHO 350 the dream of any astrophotographer. The focal length of only 1050mm when combined with full frame cameras, makes this instrument ideal to capture wide field celestial objects; while maintaining a good pixel scale of 0.74"/pixel with most of the latest astronomical cameras which have 3.76 µm pixels.

Narrowband imaging requires particular attention when pursued on fast telescopes. The peak of transmission of these filters can shift significantly in optics which have a focal ratio faster than f/4. Baader developed 3 different solutions for narrowband imaging: filters for "standard" telescopes with focal ratio of f/4 and above, filters for fast telescopes and camera lenses that work at f/2 and filters optimised for f/3 instruments. The latter guarantees the maximum bandpass transmission in telescopes that works at f/3.

It installs the Sony IMX455 back illuminated full frame sensor that currently is among the most advanced sensors for astronomical imaging. With a QE above 90% and true 16-bit A/D, translating to a dynamic range of 14 stops. The pixels have a size of 3.76 µm and a resolution of 61 Megapixels. 

Fast telescopes with the focus positioned at the back of the telescope are notorious to have a limited backfocus. The Prima Luce Lab Esatto 3.5" focuser joined with the Arco 3" have a combined optical thickness of only 58.5mm, making this solution ideal for the Delta RHO. The focuser is extremely precise with a resolution of only 0.01 micron and an integrated mechanism that automatically clears the backlash.

Embodied in a solid aluminium case, the Eagle combines a powerful computer with a handy power distribution system. Being compact and sturdy, it can connect directly on a telescope, drastically reducing the amount of cables hanging from the telescope. 

This project involved several steps necessary to deliver a fully functional remote setup to be used from the other side of the world. 

PROCUREMENT: For this setup, we had all the items in stock, including the Delta RHO 350. This instrument has been very much in demand since the day of its announcement; we ordered a few tubes that were delivered after more than 2 years of waiting! This team of astrophotographers did not lose the chance to get one for their dream setups.

MANUFACTURING: to install the Esatto focuser on the Delta RHO, we designed an adapter that minimised the optical thickness while offering a high rigidity. To power the PlaneWave dew heater controller that runs at 24V, we provided a voltage regulator from 12V to 24V and we 3D printed a plate to connect to the optical tube.

DRAWING: to optimise the space inside the dome, we provided the measure of the offset of the pier, allowing to have the tube to be centred in the dome. We selected the 900mm pier to allow to point the telescope as low as 5° above the horizon.  

NETWORKING: to control the telescope remotely, we offer a simple system consisting of smart plugs and a portable router. The Spring Brook remote observatory offers a reliable internet connection with ethernet cables up to the observatory to which we connected a portable router inside the observatory. Such router provides its own VPN and Wi-Fi network. Two 240V smart plugs connected via Wi-Fi to the router allow to remotely turn on the power of the Eagle. 

INSTALLATION: we delivered the entire setup to Coonabarabran and we carried the installation consisting of:
  • Drilling the concrete slab to bolt down the pier in place
  • Installing the mount, tube, camera and accessory
  • Balancing the setup and managing the cable
  • Polar aligning the mount
  • Testing the setup

The observatory is currently in use and it delivers astonishing images as you can see below and at this AstroBin page .

A special thank you to AstroDivers for their support.

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