Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope

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Construction and Interfacing of a Solar Telescope

• Jon Turner
• University of Northern Colorado

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Overview

• Directs sunlight to a fixed target
• Three mirrors two stationary, one moveable.
• Guided using computer controlled stepper motors.
• 60 foot vertical shaft

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Uses

• Lecture demonstrations
• Solar astronomy
• Spectroscopic analysis
• Sunspot tracking
• Digital imaging
• Eclipse viewing
• Atmospheric studies

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The Dome

• Made by Technical Innovations, Inc.
• Located on the roof of Ross Hall of Science
• Installed during renovation of 2003
• 6 foot diameter

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Collector Mirror

• Alt-azimuth configuration
• Two rotation stages
• Two stepper motors
• Located inside dome

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Stationary Mirrors

• Director Mirror
• Located inside dome directly above shaft
• Projects beam vertically
• Welded angle iron support

• Lab Mirror
• Projects beam horizontally into Optics Lab
• Bottom of shaft filled with sand

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Computer Interface

• Dedicated computer has Advantech PCI bus
  interface card
• Has 16 digital output channels, counter/ timer
  and D/A , A/D conversion capabilities
• Connects to breakout board through 68 pin SCSI
  cable

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Heliostat Control

• Windows based GUI
• Original software designed through a
  collaboration of students and faculty
• Allows bi-directional control of each motor
• Variable slewing rates

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Current Events

• Allows for remote operation of the dome via
  computer
• Mounted inside dome
• Requires connection to dome motors and power
  supply

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Dome Control

• Software included with dome
• Controls opening, closing, rotation
• Display of current position
• Links to popular telescopes

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Current Events

• Ensure appropriate input signal to motor
  controller cards
• Enclosure containing motor controller cards,
  power supply, relays, temperature sensor, fan
• Placement and alignment of mirrors

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Budget Summary

• Dome - 20,000
• Mirrors - 1960
• Motors - 40
• Motor Controller cards - 110
• Rotation stages - 987
• M1 and M2 mounts - 900
• Computer - 1100
• Internal pc card - 650
• H-Alpha Filter - 4200
• Cables, Miscellaneous - 200
• Total - 30,147

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Future Plans

• Tracking Algorithm
• Dome control integration
• Full system automation
• CCD Imaging
• Hydrogen-Alpha filter
• Spectroscopic analysis
• Weather Alerts (auto-shutdown)
• Live image monitor
• Upgrade to materials with low thermal expansion
• Vibration suppression

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Acknowledgments

• Sponsored by NASA funds distributed by Colorado
  Space Grant Consortium
• Dr. Kendall Mallory Dept. of Physics
• Dr. Robert Walch Dept. of Physics
• Dr. Dick Dietz Dept. of Physics
• Ken Cochran Instrumentation Fabrication
• Chad Lane and Jake Miller Earth Sciences

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