The Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre is a fully automated astronomical observatory particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view: the JST/T250, a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of 2deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousands square degrees, Javalambre Phtometry of the Accelerating universe Survey (J-PAS) and Javalambre Photometry of the Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS), each of them with a wide range of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and dark energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, among others. To do that, JST and JAST will be equipped with panoramic cameras under development within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively, which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal plane.
This paper describes in detail, from operations point of view, the engineering development of the overall facilities and infrastructures for the robotic observatory and a global overview of current status pinpointing lessons learned in order to boost observatory operations performance achieving scientific targets, maintaining quality requirements but also minimizing resources, material and human resources.
We also briefly introduce the Early Data Release (EDR) of J-PLUS, which is already freely accessible worldwide, and the first scientific papers. Finally, we show the next steps necessary for JST to perform the J-PAS project.
KEYWORDS: Control systems, Observatories, Standards development, OLE for process control, Data communications, Telescopes, Robotics, Telecommunications, Automatic control, Control systems design, Instrumentation control, Astronomical engineering, Astronomical instrumentation engineering
The Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ) is a fully automated astronomical observatory located at the Sierra de Javalambre (Teruel, Spain) whose primary role is to conduct all-sky astronomical surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view: the JST/T250, a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of 2deg field of view. The OAJ control system based on CIA model is a global tool to manage, monitor, control and maintain all observatory systems including not only astronomical subsystems but also infrastructure and other facilities. The OCS deployment is a standards-based development, taking advantage of technologies such as EPICS framework, EtherCAT Fieldbus and Beckhoff PLC hardware as open automation systems based on PC Control technology. The present paper describes the deployment of the OCS architecture, current status of the implementation, lessons learned and stimulating results of J-PLUS survey performed with JAST/T80 telescope, the open access to the Early Data Release (EDR) of the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey and next steps with JST/T250 telescope and J-PAS Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey.
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