Assessing sky conditions with astrometrically and photometrically calibrated all-sky images for autonomous observing

Nicolas Erasmus; John L. Tonry; Larry Denneau; Moloko Hlakola; Carel H. D. R. van Gend; Stephen B. Potter; Henry Weiland; Robert J. Siverd; Roufurd Julie

doi:10.1117/12.3017927

25 July 2024 Assessing sky conditions with astrometrically and photometrically calibrated all-sky images for autonomous observing

Nicolas Erasmus, John L. Tonry, Larry Denneau, Moloko Hlakola, Carel H. D. R. van Gend, Stephen B. Potter, Henry Weiland, Robert J. Siverd, Roufurd Julie

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X; 130981U (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3017927
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

In the operation of robotic telescopes, ensuring equipment protection from adverse weather conditions and avoiding unproductive observations during heavy cloud cover are essential. Traditional methods of monitoring the sky for cloud typically involve IR cloud sensors that are prone to degradation and require regular calibration to provide reliable data. To address this, we propose a more sophisticated and reliable approach: comparing real-time zero-point values from astrometrically and photometrically calibrated all-sky images, provided by the ATLAS project, with a master reference zero-point map captured by the same system under ideal cloudless conditions to conduct a spatially resolved assessment of cloud cover across the entire visible sky. Currently, this method guides a basic decision of whether to observe or not. However, in the future, a more sophisticated approach could determine which sections of the sky are suitable for observation and limit observation requests to those specific areas.

Citation Download Citation

Nicolas Erasmus, John L. Tonry, Larry Denneau, Moloko Hlakola, Carel H. D. R. van Gend, Stephen B. Potter, Henry Weiland, Robert J. Siverd, and Roufurd Julie "Assessing sky conditions with astrometrically and photometrically calibrated all-sky images for autonomous observing", Proc. SPIE 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X, 130981U (25 July 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3017927

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE