Observatories - Astronomy at UVa

40-inch Upgrades

Independent Autoguider

SITe 2048 CCD
(Gen II) camera:

Shack-Hartmann testing:

Telescope Control System (TCS):

Recently, the 40-inch (1-meter) telescope at Fan Mountain has undergone a series of upgrades to convert the telescope from a mainly photographic instrument to a computer driven telescope using CCDs. Projects in the upgrade include: a new tailpiece with two filter wheels, an autoguider, and the purchase of two SITe 2048×2048 CCDs.

Future Projects

Focal Plane Autoguider
Environmental Monitoring System
CCD Control Upgrade
Control Room Systems Integration
Seeing Monitor / All-Sky Camera

Personnel

Faculty and staff involved include:

Professor Steve Majewski
Research Scientist Kiriaki Xiluri
Senior Scientist Ricky Patterson
Research Associate David McDavid
Machinist Charles Lam
Electronics Technician Jim Barr

Graduate students involved include:

Jeff Crane
Peter Frinchaboy
Jodie Martin