Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aas...201.1004s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, 201st AAS Meeting, #10.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 34, p.1107
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
An effort is underway to refurbish and modernize the 0.8-meter Cassegrain reflecting telescope at Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory (RMO) near the Tri-Cities metropolitan area (Richland, Pasco, Kennewick) in southeastern Washington State. Designed and built in 1971, the telescope ranks as one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It was used regularly for astronomical research through the early 1980s, but soon after fell into disuse. Since 1996, a non-profit group made up largely of scientists, engineers, and education professionals from the nearby Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have been engaged in a project to enable remote access to the telescope and provide for its automated operation. To date, the telescope has seen the overhaul and replacement of several of its major subsystems. Some of the improvements include a fully programmable dual-axis servo-motor drive system, computer controlled dome operation, radio-modem link to PNNL, and comprehensive control software. The telescope and several of its auxiliary systems are currently under local computer control, whereby an observer, residing within the dome, may operate the telescope and dome completely through the computer interface. This primarily volunteer project seeks to allow the eventual incorporation of the telescope into science classrooms within the local community, across Washington State, and beyond. In the broader sense, the RMO 0.8-meter telescope will become an integral part of a much larger initiative, the goals of which are to expand the opportunities for science education in our schools and to promote a greater appreciation for scientific research among the general population.
Anheier Norman C.
Gephart R. E.
Leber R. E.
Rither A. C.
Swanson Kristin R.
No associations
LandOfFree
A New Mission for the 0.8-meter Telescope at Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A New Mission for the 0.8-meter Telescope at Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A New Mission for the 0.8-meter Telescope at Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1889304