Project 13: Automated Telescope Mirror Cover Sponsor: Dr. Guenter Maresch Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kamal Amin

1. Project 13: Automated Telescope Mirror CoverSponsor: Dr. GuenterMareschFaculty Adviser: Dr. Kamal Amin Timothy Sloan John Edgar Charlie Carbiener Rene Sanchez Team Leader Webmaster Communication Liaison Financial Advisor Tjs10k@my.fsu.edu   Jde08@my.fsu.edu Cpc10c@my.fsu.edu rrs07@my.fsu.edu

2. Project Overview • Telescopic systems are complex, delicate, and precise. • High definition visual data in astrology is acquired over long periods of time; in today’s technological climate most of the data collection can be done with automated instruments. • Replacing manually applied protection for telescopic mirror system with a remotely triggered automated system. John Edgar

3. Project Environment • Telescope located at the North Florida Community College GII Observatory, located 23 miles east of Tallahassee • Digital collection of visual data facilitates an open viewing environment through remote connections for the observatory’s affiliates. • Digital data acquisition allows for remote viewing of the telescope live. John Edgar

4. Sponsor and Sponsor Requirements • Dr. GuenterMaresch • Astrology professor at North Florida Community College • Compiled project to improve the functionality of the observatory and versatility of the data collection to allow for remote operation of the facility. • The main goal of the project is to diminish environmental intrusions that would affect or hinder the optical apparatus without interfering with the existing structure or function. John Edgar

5. Expectations and Objectives Expectations: • Reduction and elimination of ambient environmental effects from the local environmental conditions. Objectives: • Design, create, interface a closed system to implement a constructive feature in the overall system environment to facilitate further growth. Namely, building a protective enclosure that can be manually and automatically opened through a computer interface to harbor more elaborate and intricate viewing patterns. John Edgar

6. Upcoming Progression • Open interface with project integration. • Obtaining materials allows for hands on and accurate refinement of overall design. • Existence of a physical feedback system allows for the expansion and acceleration of workload from only manufacturing and design; adding programming and communications integration. John Edgar

7. Problem Statement • Remote and inconvenient to operate • Mirrors compromised by bugs, dust and other environmental factors • Current controller has only four outputs for stepper motors • Tedious control of each individual function John Edgar

8. Objectives • Design and implement mechanical covers for both the primary mirror and the aperture of the telescope • Use only the four stepper motor outputs on the controller • Integrate the control for all of the telescopes functions into one system • Create a graphic user interface for the main control system that is accessible online John Edgar

9. Mirror and Aperture Covers • An array of ABS flaps rotate in and out of the closed position using stepper motors • The flaps will be paired using a replicator we will make • This will allows for all eight flaps to be controlled using just the four outputs on the existing controller Timothy Sloan

10. Mechanism • Use of a pulley to raise and lower flaps via eyehole (1) • Torsional spring in hinge (2) to direct flaps back to closing position • Baseplate (3) to be mounted directly on telescope surface using preexisting holes • Horizontal bar located on the upright truss to act as pulley • Stepper motor to be located on baseplate 1 2 3 Timothy Sloan

11. Mechatronic System • Existing controller with four stepper motor drivers • This will be used to control the four primary mirror flaps • Adruino Uno used as an auxiliary controller • Cheap, well supported and has enough GPIO pins • Momentary switches to sense when the primary mirror flaps open and close • This tells the Arduino to open or close the aperture flaps, matching the primary mirror flaps Charlie Carbiener

12. Auxiliary Motor Control • Pololu stepper motor drivers purchased to drive all 8 stepper motors. • These drivers allow the motors to be controller with two leads as opposed to four and with no current requirements from the controller • Momentary switches tell the controller what flaps to move which direction, and checks for any misalignment • Each motor can be controlled individually to realign the flaps Charlie Carbiener

13. Motor Selection • Each ABS flap will weigh roughly 0.5 lb or 0.23 kg • Highest required torque of 0.166 ftlb(32 oz in or 0.023 kg m) • Motor must fit within a 2” by 2” (50 mm by 50mm) square in order to fit on the mount • Pololu stepper motor chosen Charlie Carbiener

14. Materials and Electronics • ABS chosen for both the mount and the flaps • Light • Easy to cut with laser cutter • Arduino Uno used for sensing and control • Enough GPIO pins • Cheap and well supported • Pololu stepper motor drivers • Only requires two inputs to control stepper motors • 12V 15A power supply on sight Rene Sanchez

15. Budget Rene Sanchez

16. Future Work • Parts and materials being ordered early this week • Ordering through Dr. Maresch and NFCC • Rough prototype to be made in the mean time • Two paired cardboard flaps • Replicator used for pairing • Once parts are in, refined prototype to be constructed and implemented onto the telescope Rene Sanchez

17. Facility Control • Design and develop a GUI to control each of the telescopes functions remotely. • GUI will be accessible online allowing for remote access and control • Professor can log in to control the telescope and prepare for the exposure • Anyone else can access the live feed easily on the main page of the website Charlie Carbiener

18. Facility Control • The facility has several functions that all need to be controlled • The positioning and opening of the dome • Controlling the dew heaters • Opening and closing the mirror and aperture covers • Aiming the telescope and continuously adjusting during exposure • Focusing the telescope • Storing the images collected • Collecting data Charlie Carbiener

19. Facility Control • Remote control has already been achieved by NFCC’s CMS department • This control must be expanded to all of the facilities functions • A easy to use graphic user interface must be developed to enact this control • Should be simple and intuitive • Allow for easy access to any data collected Charlie Carbiener

20. Proposed Gantt Chart Timothy Sloan

21. Conclusion • Eight ABS flaps used to cover the primary mirror and the aperture • Flaps all operated in pairs • Auxiliary controller used to control additional flaps and check for errors • Allows for individual control of each stepper motor • Prototyping • Rough prototype beginning now • Once parts are in and fabricated, refined prototype implemented onto the telescope • Begin building control logic for system implementation Timothy Sloan

22. Questions?