Number Of Telescopes Research Articles

A Multilevel Scheduling Framework for Distributed Time-domain Large-area Sky Survey Telescope Array

Telescope arrays are receiving increasing attention due to their promise of higher resource utilization, greater sky survey area, and higher frequency of full space-time monitoring than single telescopes. Compared with the ordinary coordinated operation of several telescopes, the new astronomical observation mode has an order of magnitude difference in the number of telescopes. It requires efficient coordinated observation by large-domain telescopes distributed at different sites. Coherent modeling of various abstract environmental constraints is essential for responding to multiple complex science goals. Also, due to competing science priorities and field visibility, how the telescope arrays are scheduled for observations can significantly affect observation efficiency. This paper proposes a multilevel scheduling model oriented toward the problem of telescope-array scheduling for time-domain surveys. A flexible framework is developed with basic functionality encapsulated in software components implemented on hierarchical architectures. An optimization metric is proposed to self-consistently weight contributions from time-varying observation conditions to maintain uniform coverage and efficient time utilization from a global perspective. The performance of the scheduler is evaluated through simulated instances. The experimental results show that our scheduling framework performs correctly and provides acceptable solutions considering the percentage of time allocation efficiency and sky coverage uniformity in a feasible amount of time. Using a generic version of the telescope-array scheduling framework, we also demonstrate its scalability and its potential to be applied to other astronomical applications.

Lunar-Based Measurements of the Moon’s Physical Libration: Methods and Accuracy Estimates

Computer simulation results are reported for planned lunar-based observations to be conducted using an automated zenith telescope that can be placed at any lunar latitude. Benefits of lunar-based observations are shown, in comparison with lunar laser ranging. It is investigated whether, and how effectively, these observations can be used to determine the lunar rotation parameters (physical libration). The accuracy requirements for these observations are analyzed in view of the accuracy requirements for determining the lunar rotation parameters. The necessary number of telescopes, as well as their optimal locations, is assessed.

Muographic monitoring of the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna

At Mount Etna volcano, the focus point of persistent tectonic extension is represented by the Summit Craters. A muographic telescope has been installed at the base of the North-East Crater from August 2017 to October 2019, with the specific aim to find time related variations in the density of volcanic edifice. The results are significant, since the elaborated images show the opening and evolution of different tectonic elements; in 2017, a cavity was detected months before the collapse of the crater floor and in 2018 a set of underground fractures was identified, at the tip of which, in June 2019, a new eruptive vent started its explosive activity, still going on (February, 2020). Although this is the pilot experiment of the project, the results confirm that muography could be a turning point in the comprehension of the plumbing system of the volcano and a fundamental step forward to do mid-term (weeks/months) predictions of eruptions. We are confident that an increment in the number of telescopes could lead to the realization of a monitoring system, which would keep under control the evolution of the internal dynamic of the uppermost section of the feeding system of an active volcano such as Mount Etna.

Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes as a potential veto array for neutrino astronomy

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has revealed the existence of sources of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. However, identification of the sources is challenging because astrophysical neutrinos are difficult to separate from the background of atmospheric neutrinos produced in cosmic-ray-induced particle cascades in the atmosphere. The efficient detection of air showers in coincidence with detected neutrinos can greatly reduce those backgrounds and increase the sensitivity of neutrino telescopes. Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) are sensitive to gamma-ray-induced (and cosmic-ray-induced) air showers in the 50 GeV to 50 TeV range, and can therefore be used as background-identifiers for neutrino observatories. This paper describes the feasibility of an array of small scale, wide field-of-view, cost-effective IACTs as an air shower veto for neutrino astronomy. A surface array of 250 to 750 telescopes would significantly improve the performance of a cubic kilometer-scale detector like IceCube, at a cost of a few percent of the original investment. The number of telescopes in the array can be optimized based on astronomical and geometrical considerations.

EAS detection by wide-angle cherenkov telescopes at the Yakutsk array

A proposed new method for measuring the Cherenkov light from extensive air showers (EAS) of cosmic rays (CR), which allows to determine not only the primary particle energy and angle of arrival, but also the parameters of the shower in the atmosphere - the maximum depth and “age”. For measurements, it is proposed to use Cherenkov light produced by EAS in a ground network of wide-angle telescopes, which are separated from each other by a distance 100-300 m depending on the total number of telescopes operating in coincidence, acting autonomously, or includes a detector of the charged components, radio waves, etc. as part of the EAS. The energy measurement and CR angle of arrival, data on the depth of the maximum and the associated mass of the primary particle generating the EAS is particularly important in the study of galactic cosmic rays for E> 1014 eV, where currently there are no direct measurements of the maximum depth of the EAS.

A method of observing Cherenkov light at the Yakutsk EAS array

A proposed new method for measuring the cherenkov light from extensive air showers (EAS) of cosmic rays (CR), which allows to determine not only the primary particle energy and angle of arrival, but also the parameters of the shower in the atmosphere – the maximum depth and “age”. For measurements it is proposed to use Cherenkov light produced by EAS in a ground network of wide-angle telescopes which are separated from each other by a distance 100–300 m depending on the total number of telescopes operating in coincidence, acting autonomously, or includes a detector of the charged components, radio waves, etc. as part of the EAS. Results of such an array should be developed. The energy measurement and CR angle of the arrival data on the depth of the maximum and the associated mass of the primary particle generating by EAS. This is particularly important in the study of galactic cosmic ray for E > 1014 eV, where currently there are no direct measurements of the maximum depth of the EAS.

Distant activity of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014: Ground-based results during the Rosetta pre-landing phase

As the ESA Rosetta mission approached, orbited, and sent a lander to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, a large campaign of ground-based observations also followed the comet. We constrain the total activity level of the comet by photometry and spectroscopy to place Rosetta results in context and to understand the large-scale structure of the comet's coma pre-perihelion. We performed observations using a number of telescopes, but concentrate on results from the 8m VLT and Gemini South telescopes in Chile. We use R-band imaging to measure the dust coma contribution to the comet's brightness and UV-visible spectroscopy to search for gas emissions, primarily using VLT/FORS. In addition we imaged the comet in near-infrared wavelengths (JHK) in late 2014 with Gemini-S/Flamingos 2. We find that the comet was already active in early 2014 at heliocentric distances beyond 4 au. The evolution of the total activity (measured by dust) followed previous predictions. No gas emissions were detected despite sensitive searches. The comet maintains a similar level of activity from orbit to orbit, and is in that sense predictable, meaning that Rosetta results correspond to typical behaviour for this comet. The gas production (for CN at least) is highly asymmetric with respect to perihelion, as our upper limits are below the measured production rates for similar distances post-perihelion in previous orbits.

Magnetic fields of chemically peculiar and related stars. I. Main results of 2014 and near-future prospects

We make a critical analysis of the results of studies of magnetic fields in chemically peculiar and related stars, published mostly in 2014. Methodological matters are discussed, and research results are analyzed. Most of the measurements of magnetic fields were obtained with well-known instruments. In 2014 a large observational project MiMeS was accomplished, the observations of more than 500 objects were performed, magnetic fields were found in 35 of them. Twenty new magnetic stars have been detected from the observations with the SAORAS 6-m telescope. Regular measurements of magnetic fields with an accuracy of units of gauss are conducted on a number of telescopes using the HARPS, ESPaDOnS, and NARVAL spectropolarimeters. The fields of complex topology have been studied, magnetic maps have been built, a connection with the distribution of anomalies of chemical composition has been found. The debate about the existence of a magnetic field of about 1 G in Vega and some other objects is ongoing. Apparently, the absence of a large-scale magnetic field greater than tens of gauss in the mercury-manganese and Am stars is confirmed. First CP stars were detected outside the Galaxy, in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Observations of magnetic fields in solar-type stars are continued, a strong correlation between the field strength and the degree of chromospheric activity was discovered.

Peering into the Past

In the last few decades, cosmological measurements have reached an unprecedented level of precision, and cosmology is now on the threshold of a new era of observational evidence. In the next future, a vast number of telescopes, satellites and surveys will provide us with accurate, multi-wavelength data that will allow us to investigate the fundaments of our theoretical model of the Universe. Here, we depict, with some useful example, how such a gaze to the deepest cosmos could help in better understanding the laws of gravity and perhaps detecting departures from GR. Specifically, we show recent constraints on well-known alternative gravity theories from some of these next-generation instruments.

A Kalman filter based synchronization scheme for telescope array receivers in deep-space optical communication links

In this paper, the impact of random synchronization errors on the performance of ground-based telescope array receivers for an inter-planetary optical deep-space communication (ODSC) link is investigated. An adaptive method based on Kalman filters is developed for the synchronization and combination of different telescope signals in the array. An end-to-end simulation platform for ODSC link between Earth and planet Mars is implemented that incorporates pulse-position modulation (PPM), direct-detection array receivers, and photon-counting detectors. The effects of atmospheric turbulence and background noise are also modeled. The performance of array receivers is evaluated in terms of probability of symbol error and achievable data rates. The simulation results show that the Kalman filter-based synchronization scheme keeps the synchronization induced power losses to less than 1dB. The analysis also shows that in the worst-case operational scenario and presence of random synchronization errors, an array consisting of hundred, 1m telescopes performs almost similar to a single 10m telescope. Hence, the degradation in the combined signal due to synchronization errors places a minor limitation on the number of telescopes in a telescope array receiver consisting of up to 100 telescope elements.

THE ARECIBO GALAXY ENVIRONMENT SURVEY. III. OBSERVATIONS TOWARD THE GALAXY PAIR NGC 7332/7339 AND THE ISOLATED GALAXY NGC 1156

Two 5 square degree regions around the NGC 7332/9 galaxy pair and the isolated galaxy NGC 1156 have been mapped in the 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen (HI) with the Arecibo L-band Feed Array out to a redshift of ~0.065$ (~20,000$ km/s) as part of the Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey. One of the aims of this survey is to investigate the environment of galaxies by identifying dwarf companions and interaction remnants; both of these areas provide the potential for such discoveries. The neutral hydrogen observations were complemented by optical and radio follow-up observations with a number of telescopes. A total of 87 galaxies were found, of which 39 (45 per cent) were previously cataloged and 15 (17 per cent) have prior redshifts. Two dwarf galaxies have been discovered in the NGC 7332 group and a single dwarf galaxy in the vicinity NGC 1156 . A parallel optical search of the area revealed one further possible dwarf galaxy near NGC 7332.

A Path to the Stars: The Evolution of the Species

During the last years, a number of telescopes have been dedicated to the followup of the GRBs. But after the Swift launch, the average observed intensity of the GRBs showed to be lower than thought before. Our experience with the robotic 60 cm REM telescope confirmed this evidence, with a large number of lost GRBs. Then, we proposed to study the feasibility of a 4 m fast pointing class telescope, equipped with a multichannel imagers, from Visible to Near Infrared. In this paper, we present the main result of the feasibility study we performed so far.

Direct imaging with highly diluted apertures - I. Field-of-view limitations

Future optical interferometric instrumentations mainly rely on the availability of an efficient cophasing system: once available, what has so far postponed the relevance of direct imaging to an interferometer will vanish. This paper focuses on the actual limits of snapshot imaging, inherent to the use of a sparse aperture: the number of telescopes and the geometry of the array impose the maximum extent of the field of view (FOV) and the complexity of the sources. A second limitation may arise from the beam combination scheme. Comparing already available solutions, we show that the so-called hypertelescope mode (or densified pupil) is ideal. By adjusting the direct imaging FOV to the useful FOV offered by the array, the hypertelescope makes an optimal use of the collected photons. It optimizes signal-to-noise ratio, drastically improves the luminosity of images and makes the interferometer compatible with coronagraphy, without inducing any loss of useful FOV.

The MPE X-ray test facility PANTER: Calibration of hard X-ray (15–50 kev) optics

The Max-Planck-Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) in Garching, Germany, uses its large X-ray beam line facility PANTER for testing X-ray astronomical instrumentation. A number of telescopes, gratings, filters, and detectors, e.g. for astronomical satellite missions like Exosat, ROSAT, Chandra (LETG), BeppoSAX, SOHO (CDS), XMM-Newton, ABRIXAS, Swift (XRT), have been successfully calibrated in the soft X-ray energy range (<15keV). Moreover, measurements with mirror test samples for new missions like ROSITA and XEUS have been carried out at PANTER. Here we report on an extension of the energy range, enabling calibrations of hard X-ray optics over the energy range 15–50 keV. Several future X-ray astronomy missions (e.g., Simbol-X, Constellation-X, XEUS) have been proposed, which make use of hard X-ray optics based on multilayer coatings. Such optics are currently being developed by the Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (OAB), Milano, Italy, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), Cambridge, MA, USA. These optics have been tested at the PANTER facility with a broad energy band beam (up to 50 keV) using the XMM-Newton EPIC-pn flight spare CCD camera with its good intrinsic energy resolution, and also with monochromatic X-rays between C-K (0.277 keV) and Cu-Kα (8.04 keV).

Overview of Multiple–Aperture Interferometry Binary Star Results from the Northern Hemisphere

AbstractLong-baseline optical interferometry (LBI) can nearly close the gap in selection space between astrometric and spectroscopic detection of binary star systems, bringing the complementary powers of astrometry and spectroscopy to bear on a complete dynamical understanding of such systems, particularly including the determination of the masses of the individual stellar components. In the case of double-lined spectroscopic systems, their resolution by long-baseline interferometry also yields the orbital parallax and hence the luminosities of the individual stars. In some of these cases, the angular diameters of one or more components are accessible, and so a complete specification of a star in terms of its mass, radius and luminosity is made.The northern hemisphere is now equipped with several interferometers of unprecedented capability in terms of their baseline sizes, numbers of telescopes and telescope apertures. These instruments, most notably the Palomar Testbed Interferometer at Mt. Palomar Observatory, have produced very significant results of a number of interesting systems fulfilling interferometry's promise to produce fundamental astrophysical data at levels of accuracy that challenge or confirm astrophysical theory.This paper presents basic principles of long-baseline interferometric study of binary stars and summarizes results from northern interferometers with specific examples of their broad impact on binary star astronomy.

Physical characteristics of Hayabusa target Asteroid 25143 Itokawa

In March 2001, the Hayabusa spacecraft target, Asteroid 25143 Itokawa, made its final close approach to Earth prior to the spacecraft's launch. We carried out an extensive observing campaign from January to September 2001 to better characterize this near-Earth asteroid. Global physical properties of the surface of Itokawa were characterized by analyzing its photometric properties and behavior. Results included here capitalize on analysis of broadband photometric observations taken with a number of telescopes, instruments, and observers. We employed a Hapke model to estimate the surface roughness, single particle scattering albedo, single particle scattering characteristics, phase integral, and geometric and bond albedo. We find that this asteroid has a higher geometric albedo than average main belt S-class asteroids; this is consistent with results from other observers. The broadband colors of Itokawa further support evidence that this is an atypical S-class asteroid. Broadband colors show spectral characteristics more typically found on large-diameter main-belt asteroids believed to be space-weathered, suggesting the surface of this small diameter, near-Earth asteroid could likewise be space-weathered.

Nulling interferometry without achromatic phase shifters.

In the infrared wavelength region, a typical star is approximately a million times brighter than the planet that surrounds it, which is a major problem when we attempt to detect exoplanets in a direct manner. Nulling interferometry is a technique that one can use to solve this problem by attenuating the stellar light and enhancing that of the planet. Generally, deep nulling is achieved by use of achromatic phase shifters (APSs). Unfortunately, the technology needed to build these APSs is not yet fully developed. We show that deep nulling can also be achieved by using delay lines only. We investigate the nulling depth as a function of the width of the wavelength interval and the number of telescopes. We also show that we can obtain nulling depths of less than 10(-6), which are required for exoplanet detection. Furthermore, we investigate the properties of the transmission map and make a comparison between our system and an APS system.

A method for spherical harmonic analysis of Compton – Getting corrected 3-d energetic particle distributions

A method is described whereby a particle distribution measured by a number of telescopes (four in this application), observing the whole sky, mounted upon a spinning spacecraft, can be resolved into a set of spherical harmonics. The coefficients of the expansion are used to estimate the anisotropy of the particles and components of the anisotropy in different frames of reference (e.g., solar wind frame, RTN frame, spacecraft frame, etc.) for specific energy channels. For the transformation of the distribution function between frames of reference moving each other, the respective Compton–Getting correction is performed by a new geometrical approach. The respective energy change is also evaluated.

Self-noise in interferometers

AbstractWe study the distribution of noise in images synthesized by radio interferometers, focusing particularly on the noise due to source power fluctuations. For a total power interferometer, the r.m.s. fluctuation in the image consists of a term that is constant all over the map, which is the uncorrelated system noise divided by the number of telescopes in the interferometer, and a term that is the image itself. For a correlation interferometer the expression is not so simple but is qualitatively similar. Our results are consistent with intuitive expectations in various observing situations. We find similarities in self-noise at optical and radio wavelengths.

Images From Astronomical Speckle Data: Weighted Shift-And-Add Analysis

We have applied a variant of the shift-and-add algorithm originally developed by Lynds, Worden, and Harvey [Astrophys. J. 207, 174 (1976)] to astronomical speckle interferometric data. A set of impulses corresponding in locations and magnitudes to the local maxima in each specklegram is generated and used to obtain an average speckle by means of a Wiener-type filter deconvolution procedure. This technique yields diffraction-limited images that appear to be self-calibrating for seeing effects. Realistic point spread functions have been obtained for a number of telescopes at different wavelengths, and results are also presented for the resolved red supergiant Alpha Orionis. The limiting signal-to-noise ratio of the technique as indicated by the results presented here suggests a dynamic range of =6 stellar magnitudes, with no evidence of residual seeing effects. A matched filter technique is demonstrated for use in locating the speckles of complicated objects or for objects dominated by photon noise.