|
THE SCHMIDT 92/67 TELESCOPE: INSTRUMENTATION |
The CCD CameraA program to install a CCD camera on the S67/92-cm Schmidt telescope at Cima Ekar is a joint collaboration between the Department of Astronomy and the Astronomical Observatory of Padova, and DLR Berlin. The main scientific motivation for this project is the discovery and follow-up of moving objects (asteroids, NEO/NEA, TNO, KBO, etc.). Other scientific programmes are however possible. |
 M42 taken using CCD camera to the S67/92-cm Schmidt telescope |
|
DLR Berlin have provided the SCAM-1 camera (operable in both Time-Delay Integration mode and in normal mode) and the software to detect moving targets and determine their astrometry. DA/OA Pd managed the mechanical modifications to the telescope, the installation of a PC for CCD control, data acquisition and analysis (using IRAF), data transmission via Internet, and the cooling system. The focal plane is folded to the CCD camera via a (slightly undersized) flat metal mirror kindly provided by Officine Galileo of Florence; the mirror used until Feb. 2001 was a spin-off of the successful prototype built for the Halley Multicolour Camera GIOTTO, now mass-produced for several non-astronomical applications. See Figure 1 and 2. Since then a larger flat glass mirror has been installed, produced by Ottica Zen of Venice. |
 |
Fig. 1- The SCAM camera and electronics attached to the side of the S/67/92 cm telescope |
|
Fig. 2 - Reflection off the OG metal mirror
|
 |
|
UP
| |