SSO Update
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue24 1–31 January 2022
First Science with an Automated 2.3-metre Telescope
On 18 November 2021, a fully automated 2.3-metre telescope observed SN 2021adug without any human intervention. The telescope slewed to the target, acquired the guide star, centred the field, and then performed a programmed sequence of offsets in nod-and-shuffle mode. The data were processed by a slightly modified version of the PyWiFeS pipeline and the result, a Type Ia supernova near maximum light, was reported on the Transient Name Server.
This is an important milestone. It would not have been possible without the dedicated work of Ian Price, Jon Nielsen, and Tony Travouillon, and to the generous funding that we received from the Centre of Gravitational Astrophysics.
We intend to reserve a week during the second quarter of 2022, where we let the telescope operate with minimal human supervision. ANU astronomers will be able submit observations to be carried out during that week. We’ll be looking for a range of targets that test out the full capabilities of an automated telescope. Please look out for this in the next call for proposals.
The GUI used to prepare observations that are then submitted to the observing queue. In this example SN 2021aeca (centred in white rectangle) was observed in nod-and-shuffle mode. The image shows the WiFES field-of-view (white rectangle), the field-of-view of the guide camera (the odd-shaped white polygon), the sky position (yellow box), the guide star (green circle) and other potential guide stars (blue circles). The aBABABa sequence results in 75 seconds exposure on sky, then 150 seconds each on object, sky, object, sky, and object, and then a final 75 seconds on sky, resulting in 450 seconds of integration on sky and 450 seconds on the object.
The Hector Installation at SSO has started!
After years of preparation, the on-site Hector installation has commenced at the AAT, and typically so have the clouds and monsoon!
The Hector team, comprising personnel from the University of Sydney (Julia Bryant, USyd, as the brains and energetic lead), Macquarie University and the ANU, have been at the AAT during the past few weeks installing the various components of Hector. This includes changes to the 2dF top end tumbler to support a new Hector plate, a robot for positioning the fibre hexabundles (to micron precision), two new cable runs containing the fibres, and a new spectrograph.
Commissioning is due to start at the beginning of December and once completed, a galaxy survey will commence. The survey will run for the next 6 years, and it will be the largest galaxy survey of its kind in the world.
There have been many delays along the way including changing technical requirements – aka improvements – manufacturing issues, cryostat failures (requiring shipment back to the US for repair) and the COVID lockdowns. But the team has battled through floods and pot holes in order to bring the equipment to site and commence the installation.
There is a real buzz around the AAT as installation is now well underway. Having new instruments to learn to operate and maintain is a refreshing change! Even the Lodge is fully booked to house all the travelling team members.
As at time of writing, the Hector robot is installed on the prime focus platform and seemed to want to announce the fact by making noise which unfortunately impacted the Veloce observing data – just a little gremlin to work through. The 2dF tumbler changes are complete and ready to accept the Hector plate. Balancing of the telescope with new weights has commenced to allow for the extra weight of the top end and two new fibre cables. The optics are being installed into the Hector spectrograph, known as Spector (but hopefully not the villain in this case!).
The weather forecast is not great for commissioning with monsoons set to continue, but nothing will stop the team now even if someone has to be suspended and swung from the crane with a torch as an artificial star for end to end testing!
Wishing everyone a safe holiday season. See you in 2022.
From the team at SSO.
