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Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope

Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope . Jon Turner University of Northern Colorado. Overview. Directs sunlight to a fixed target Three mirrors: two stationary, one moveable. Guided using computer controlled stepper motors. 60 foot vertical shaft . Uses. Lecture demonstrations

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Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope

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  1. Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope Jon Turner University of Northern Colorado

  2. Overview • Directs sunlight to a fixed target • Three mirrors: two stationary, one moveable. • Guided using computer controlled stepper motors. • 60 foot vertical shaft

  3. Uses • Lecture demonstrations • Solar astronomy • Spectroscopic analysis • Sunspot tracking • Digital imaging • Eclipse viewing • Atmospheric studies

  4. The Dome • Made by Technical Innovations, Inc. • Located on the roof of Ross Hall of Science • Installed during renovation of 2003 • 6 foot diameter

  5. Collector Mirror • Alt-azimuth configuration • Two rotation stages • Two stepper motors • Located inside dome

  6. Director Mirror Located inside dome directly above shaft Projects beam vertically Welded angle iron support Lab Mirror Projects beam horizontally into Optics Lab Bottom of shaft filled with sand Stationary Mirrors

  7. Computer Interface • Dedicated computer has Advantech PCI bus interface card • Has 16 digital output channels, counter/ timer and D/A , A/D conversion capabilities • Connects to breakout board through 68 pin SCSI cable

  8. Heliostat Control • Windows based GUI • Original software designed through a collaboration of students and faculty • Allows bi-directional control of each motor • Variable slewing rates

  9. Current Events • Allows for remote operation of the dome via computer • Mounted inside dome • Requires connection to dome motors and power supply

  10. Dome Control • Software included with dome • Controls opening, closing, rotation • Display of current position • Links to popular telescopes

  11. Current Events • Ensure appropriate input signal to motor controller cards • Enclosure containing: motor controller cards, power supply, relays, temperature sensor, fan • Placement and alignment of mirrors

  12. Budget Summary • Dome - $20,000 • Mirrors - $1960 • Motors - $40 • Motor Controller cards - $110 • Rotation stages - $987 • M1 and M2 mounts - $900 • Computer - $1100 • Internal pc card - $650 • H-Alpha Filter - $4200 • Cables, Miscellaneous - $200 Total - $30,147

  13. Future Plans • Tracking Algorithm • Dome control integration • Full system automation • CCD Imaging • Hydrogen-Alpha filter • Spectroscopic analysis • Weather Alerts (auto-shutdown) • Live image monitor • Upgrade to materials with low thermal expansion • Vibration suppression

  14. Acknowledgments • Sponsored by NASA funds distributed by Colorado Space Grant Consortium • Dr. Kendall Mallory – Dept. of Physics • Dr. Robert Walch – Dept. of Physics • Dr. Dick Dietz – Dept. of Physics • Ken Cochran – Instrumentation & Fabrication • Chad Lane and Jake Miller – Earth Sciences

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