RTML – a standard for use of remote telescopes

Abstract

The scientific need for a homogenous remote telescope image request system is rapidly escalating as more remote or robotic telescopes are brought to function and scientific programs are created or adapted to use such powerful telescopes. To respond to this need, we have drafted a protocol - Remote Telescope Markup Language (Version 2.1) - which has enabled us to implement a non-homogeneous network of imaging telescopes capable of processing requests for the acquisition and retrieval of simple astronomical images. This protocol is designed to be independent of the specific instrumentation and software that control the remote and/or robotic telescopes. It embeds traditional astronomical features such as coordinates and exposure times, and allows for prioritized queue scheduling of telescopes while protecting the telescope operating system. The prioritization supports high-stakes interruption of other observations - Targets of Opportunity like optical detection of gamma-ray bursts or other transient events. Some generality in this definition and flexibility is desirable, so that a broad variety of objects and observations can be accommodated within this standard. A number of professional observatories, telescope hardware/software companies, and amateur astronomers are already working with this version of RTML and a large body of additional professional and amateur users willing to share observing time and/or provide observations for scientific or educational use could easily adopt this protocol. The next generation mark-up language (RTML 3) will include elements necessary to schedule more complex observations, enabling its use in practically all ground-based and satellite observatories.