Robotic operation of the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ)

Abstract

The Observatorio Astrofisico de Javalambre (OAJ) is a fully automated astronomical observatory located at the Sierra de Javalambre (Teruel, Spain) whose primary role is to conduct all-sky astronomical surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view: the JST/T250, a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of 2deg field of view. The OAJ control system based on CIA model is a global tool to manage, monitor, control and maintain all observatory systems including not only astronomical subsystems but also infrastructure and other facilities. The OCS deployment is a standards-based development, taking advantage of technologies such as EPICS framework, EtherCAT Fieldbus and Beckhoff PLC hardware as open automation systems based on PC Control technology. The present paper describes the deployment of the OCS architecture, current status of the implementation, lessons learned and stimulating results of J-PLUS survey performed with JAST/T80 telescope, the open access to the Early Data Release (EDR) of the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey and next steps with JST/T250 telescope and J-PAS Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey.