Module for observations

in polar regions - polar

robotic telescope
Popescu Petre1, Negoita Teodor2, Adrian Bot3, Paraschiv Petre1, Nedelcu Alin1,
Badescu Octavian1

1
Astronomical Institute of Romanian Academy
2
Romanian Polar Research Institute
3
National Institute of Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular
Technology, Mass Spectrometry & Chromatography Department, Cluj -Napoca

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Introduction
 The aim of this project is to achieve a robotic telescope
adapted to polar environment activity. After performing the
technological study containing the main parameters and
attaining goals, a study of astroclimate was elaborated
-using the already obtained data-base and in situ
determination at Romanian-Australian scientific polar
station Law-Racovita. The module is build following studies,
projects and testing of materials and components in
Romania. After performing the final test in Romania, the
module is possible to be installed in situ by our scientific
associates, after a preliminary training. Observational
results are intended to be stored in data-bases, for
analyzing and processing. The astro-geodetic observational
programs are performed trough satellite communications.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Objectives
 Antarctica is a continent without pollution, where
temperature and humidity favors astronomical
observations. The astroclimate conditions there
allow a high precision detection of images.
 Thus it is possible to:
• observe near-Earth celestial bodies;
• improve the stellar reference system in the
neighborhood of the extragalactic radio stars;
• study the mutual phenomena of the bodies in the Solar
System;
• study stellar systems visible only from the Southern
hemisphere.
• study the vertical deviation by astro-geodetic methods;

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Activities
 Problems connected with the construction of a
telescope capable to operate in the polar
environment involves a great complexity of
activities of scientific and technological research:
• assesment of astro-climate conditions;
• logistic support for setting, installing and maintenance of
the module;
• the study of materials behaviour at very low
temperatures;
• the study of the optical systems and of the optical
parameters stability in the polar environment;

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Expected results
 The results of the researches related to the construction of mechanic
systems intended to operate under extremely difficult conditions were
communicated and disseminated in specialized technical-scientific media
by scientific papers, conferences, workshops. The carrying out of
astronomical-geodetic determinations in the Southern hemisphere allow
the enlargement of the database which contains:
• local reference points of the extra-galactic radio-sources;
• positions, proper motions and rotation periods of the NEOs;
• mutual phenomena of the bodies in the solar system.
 The conditions and the parameters required by such a goal can create
important difficulties. We believe that from the point of view of research
we encounter no major difficulties. The meteo conditions factor and by this
we mean the astro-climatic conditions during the testing and then during
the achievement of the results is the major risk which should be incurred
by the working team. The materials and the technologies used can be
greatly influenced by the environment conditions, there may be differences
between the tests made at home and the real conditions in the working
area. We do not exclude the possibility of contrary conclusions in some
researches, which, however, cannot affect the general background of the
problem, conclusions which will necessitate supplementary efforts and
project modifications.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Scientific and technical aspects
of the project
 The autonomous module for Antarctic astronomical surveys
– PROTEL - represents an automatic telescope, designed to
work without human intervention in conditions of low
temperature, imposed by polar environment. Astroclimate
studies have indicated that the temperature is in the range
of -220C; +20C, in area where the instrument is intended
to be sited. That implies the use of special kinds of
materials, optical components, electronic devices, and
operating systems adapted to work in extreme cold. The
complete lack of human participation imposes a completely
automated, easy to use instrument.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Data storage
 The huge amount of data (stellar images, asteroids,
comets, etc) imposes the existence of a raw data
downloading module and a storage device. For security
purposes, downloading module is located in a protected
area inside of the research station.
 The broadcasting of scientifically data from downloading
module is indented to be performed by means of a low
power radio station. After finishing a complete acquisition
data package, another observational program shall be
loaded into the system memory, using the radio link with
existing data storage. Accessing astronomical data in
Romania, implies either an broadband INTERNET or regular
mail.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Monitoring and set up of the
module
 The monitoring of module behavior is performed from 2
locations: first location at 100 m away from the module and
the second at Bucharest via satellite by means of satellite
network. That can be accessed with a radio transmitting
module at frequencies of 406.1 MHz, allowing data
transmissions anywhere in the world at low costs, from
anywhere in the world. These data will be low-volume and
will transmit information about module status and
environmental conditions, allowing a good monitoring of
module behaviour and identifying possible malfunctions. All
these devices will be installed inside the telescope
mounting which will be also controlled by the command and
control system.
 The module PROTEL shall be situated on a adequate
metallic platform, anchored in soil rock through a set of
custom screws. The need of electric power estimated at up
to 1 KW, furnished by the polar station.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

Law-Racovita Polar Station

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Participants
 The project leader, Astronomical Institute of Romanian Academy, assure
scientific management of project, optical testing and calibrations. IAAR
manage a complete staff of scientists working in applied astronomy, and
dispose the whole range of hardware and software dedicated to
astronomy. In cooperation with partner National Institute of Research and
Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technology, Mass Spectrometry &
Chromatography Department, will be ellaborated and tested specific
software packages dedicated to automated observations taking, and data
transmission toward storage device. In the same time, IAAR is authorised
to perform first specific tests with PROTEL, in normal environment
conditions.
 The partner National Institute of Research and Development of Isotopic
and Molecular Technology, Mass Spectrometry & Chromatography
Department, will provide both the design and execution tasks of
mechanical parts for the module, of electrical driving systems, automatic
position control and will assembly and preliminary tests the module to
check the fulfillment of performance requirements.
 The partner Romanian Polar Research Institute will provide logistic support
for positioning of autonomous module PROTEL at the polar station,
powering up the subsystems and running the preliminary observations,
requested calibration. It will provide first astro-climate data, in order to
establish a coherent astronomical program. It has skilled personal and
international agreement required to fulfill these tasks.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Steps of the project
 Scientific and technical study -9.11.2005
 Astroclimate study – 15.10.2006
 Project of the module – 15.05.2007
 The execution of the module – 15.11.2007
 Studies for the set-up of the module –
15.04.2008
 Final results, conclusions – 15.07.2008

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2

 Conclusion
 We can identify some new elements in the design
of the remote-control telescope:
• completely autonomous running module conceived as an
specifically data grabbing robot;
• running in extreme environment condition;
• the maintenance by data flow of satellite
communications.
 The design of an complete automate mounting
implies the use of specific subsystems, i.e.:
motion control, positioning systems and image
acquisition systems, interface devices and specific
software.

The 3rd International Symposium on Polar Scientific Research, Bucharest 27 June 2