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Fick Observatory - Boone, IA

Fick Observatory - Boone, IA. Faculty advisor: Dr. John P. Basart Client: Joe Eitter ISU Physics Department. Team members: Justin Doyle (2 nd sem) Derek Halverson (2 nd sem) Rob Walstrom (2 nd sem) Tai Ward (2 nd sem) Shahril Abdullah (1 st sem)

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Fick Observatory - Boone, IA

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  1. Fick Observatory - Boone, IA

  2. Faculty advisor: Dr. John P. Basart Client: Joe Eitter ISU Physics Department Team members: Justin Doyle(2nd sem) Derek Halverson (2nd sem) Rob Walstrom (2nd sem) Tai Ward (2nd sem) Shahril Abdullah (1st sem) Jeff Rastrelli (1st sem) Nick Williams (1st sem) Fook-Keong Yap (1st sem) Observatory Automationongo02eMarch 26, 2002

  3. Presentation Outline • Problem Statement • Design Objectives • End Product Description • Assumptions and Limitations • Project Risks and Concerns • Technical Approach • Evaluation of Project Success • Recommendation of Future Work • Human and Financial Budget • Lessons Learned • Summary

  4. Problem Statement • Automation of the Fick Observatory • Phase 1: Remote Control • Phase 2: Automated System

  5. Design Objectives • Functionality • Control the telescope • Collect telescope data • Operate the roof • Gather weather conditions • Provide visual feedback • Provide remote control via the Internet • Automate the system

  6. Control the Telescope • Control via serial port • Filter wheel • Slides/covers • Focus • Raw code vs. commercial • The Sky • Orchestrate

  7. Collect Telescope Data • Combine filtered images • Clean images • CCD video capture • MaxIm DL/CCD

  8. Operate the Roof

  9. Operate the Roof • Telescope room has movable walls and roof • Existing system built in 60’s • Current system uses manual levers • New system run by actuators • Old system had no safety stops • Redundant magnetic and optical safety stops • Computer software controlled

  10. Operate the Roof • Actuators • Magnetic switches • Extensive safety measures • Visual feedback from cameras

  11. Provide Visual Feedback • Surveillance camera system • Streaming live video over the Internet

  12. Provide Remote Control • Main computer accessible via remote access software • PCAnywhere • GoToMyPC • WindowsXP • Radmin • Allow systems to be turned on remotely

  13. Gather Weather Conditions • SkyCam • Protective housing • Weather station • Temperature sensors • Online resources

  14. Design Constraints • Location of observatory • Limited space for adding equipment • Budget • External weather conditions • Overheating of equipment in summer • Interfacing with old equipment • High-speed Internet connection

  15. Intended Users and Uses • Intended users • Physics faculty • Astronomers • Intended uses • Fully automated control (like a VCR timer) • Remote control from campus

  16. End-Product Description • Remote control of all equipment within the observatory • Programmable system to gather data while not being user-controlled

  17. Assumptions and Limitations • Assumptions • Single user access at one time • High-speed Internet connection • Must be secure from Internet attacks • All components powered up prior to use • Limitations • Limited site access for team members • Speed of Internet connection • Hydraulics of existing roof control system • Two speeds at which roof may open or close • Telescope may not be compatible with commercial software • Existing hardware

  18. Project Risks and Concerns • Knowledge of telescope operation • Damaging the telescope • Existing hardware failure • Loss of client

  19. Technical Approach Division of project into sub-projects • Telescope operation • Video • Roof control • Weather station • Remote control

  20. Technical Approach • Split processing to two computers • Roof sensors: magnetic vs. optical • Telescope software: commercial vs. raw code

  21. Evaluation of Project Success • Research (90%) • Documentation (100%) - ongoing • Network (25%) – in progress • Roof control (10%) – in progress • Telescope control (10%) – in progress • Video (20%) – in progress • Weather monitoring (90%) – future semester • Temperature monitoring (0%) – future semester • Remote operation (0%) – future semester

  22. Future Work • Prototype roof control board • Complete roof control implementation • Install surveillance video cameras • Setup server for video streaming • Install remote access software • Remote climate control • Installation of weather station • Fully network all computers in observatory

  23. Human Budget

  24. Financial Budget

  25. Lessons Learned • Communication with client • Clearly defined requirements • Interfacing with old technology can be difficult • Gained knowledge on video frame grabbers, control software, data acquisition cards, etc.

  26. Summary • Firm foundation of research and design • Finished project will greatly increase usability of the observatory

  27. Questions Questions?

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