Global Rent-a-Scope
"Where the Sun Never Rises"
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New Mexico Skies and Astrodon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ is being revised
Send unanswered questions to us at:
contact us and we would be happy to provide you with answers.- How do I initiate the guiding mode and select a guide star?
- When do the observatories open and close?
- How far do the telescopes get to the horizon?
- How do you count the used time?
- How long are my purchased points valid?
- Is there a risk of doing damage to the equipment remotely?
- When is the best observing time?
- What are the best exposure times?
- Legally, who owns the data I produce?
- So I buy points and then what?
- How are the telescopes aligned?
- Is there an automated focusing routine or is it a manual process?
- How do I find a guide star to guide on?
- Do you have saved dark files or do I pay to take my own?
- I assume there's a way for us to set the cooling temp?
- Are there optional focal reducers for any of these setups?
- How do I watch for passing clouds? Do you have an all-sky cam I can watch?
- What is binning (bin) in conjunction with the CCD camera?
- How can I tell if it's clear there?
- Is dewing a problem there? Do you have some kind of countermeasures?
- Do I operate the telescope and CCD remotely by myself?
- When I'm using my paid time, does it go by the nearest minute or once I start another hour then I need to try and use it all?
- Is it always available? What about on holidays?
- This all sounds confusing; just how difficult is the system to operate?
- Can you view the planets and the Moon?
- Where are the telescopes located, can I have the details?
How do I initiate the guiding mode and select a guide star?
Please view the video demonstration on guiding and centering mode.http://www.global-rent-a-scope.com/Demonstration/
Also there is a link from the sky chart page called guider.
The main concept here is that you are using an internal guider. This means the filter will not only cover the main sensor but the guiding chip as well. When you arrive at the guider page there are several parameters you can select in preparation to selecting a guide star. The duration by default is 5 seconds. However if you are going to use filters especially narrowband filters you may wish to change the duration to 20 or 30 seconds. In conjunction you should also select the densest filter you will be using in the exposure series. The aggressiveness at 5 is usually sufficient. I would also leave the delay at zero as well.
When you start the actual guide star sequence the filter you selected will temporarily move into position during the select guide star exposure. The camera will then take an image through the guiding system and display an image that was actually taken through the specified filter. This allows you to select a guide star as it will appear when images are taken with the filter in place. So if the 20 or 30 second integration time is sufficient you will be able to select a good guide star. Since the guider has been binned the guide chip has had its sensitivity enhanced and the guide stars will not only be more intense but better defined as well.
When do the observatories open and close?
We open around twilight and close around dawn. At the moment we are opening access to the scopes at 9:00 PM and closing around 5:00 AM. Of course this varies through out the year. We can also adjust the schedule to accommodate any requests from users. We are very flexible and accommodating.
How far do the telescopes get to the horizon?
Our normal horizon is around 20 degrees. We can actually go below that to about 15 degrees for special events or be request. The walls of the observatory are the limiting factor.
How do you count the used time?
Your account is charged from when you log on until you log off. There is a special auto-logoff feature in the software that allows the system to log you off after a series of images or after the completion of a script that might have been run by the user.
We provide a separate high-speed FTP server for storage of your images after your session ends. There is no charge for the time you spend downloading your files.
How long are my purchased points valid?
2 year after the date of the last purchase.
Is there a risk of doing damage to the equipment remotely?
You can not damage anything as a result of your operations.
When is the best observing time?
This depends in which type of astronomy you have an interest. If you would like more input I will be happy to call you so we can discuss in depth. Of course you can observe anytime the observatory is operating which is during the dark periods at our observatories.
What are the best exposure times?
This depends on your target, filters and telescope you are using. For luminance filters
we suggest from 5 minutes to 15 minutes per sub exposure at bin 1x1. For Red, Green and Blue
filters we suggest binning 2x2 and using exposure times of 5 minutes to 20 minutes per sub
exposure.
For narrowband filters Ha, SII and OIII you can start with sub exposure times
of 5 to 10 minutes, however for best results we recommend sub exposure times of 30 to 60 minutes.
Legally, who owns the data I produce?
Our policy is that you own the data completely. We just act as a vehicle by which to accomplish your astronomical missions.
So I buy points and then what?
When you sign up and pay you will then be provided access credentials in the form of a userID, password and the URL for all our telescopes and customer service portal website. This normally happens within 24 hours of signing up. The telescopes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How are the telescopes aligned?
The telescope mounts are polar aligned using Tpoint. Tpoint is an advance alignment and pointing modeling system which improve pointing performance.
Is there an automated focusing routine or is it a manual process?
We take care of focusing using Focusmax. There are temperature compensated focusers on each system that maintains focus all night long.
How do I find a guide star to guide on?
Most of our telescopes have a separate guide scopes and guider cameras. Otherwise you can place a guide star on the autoguider CCD buy viewing the FOV indicates in the virtual sky view.
Do you have saved dark files or do I pay to take my own?
We provide master calibration files for most exposure common time on our FTP server. We provide dark frames, bias and flats.
I assume there's a way for us to set the cooling temp?
Cooling is set year around at -10C on AREO2-7 using SBIG cameras and -25C on our FLI cameras on AREO1. AREO8's STL11000M is set to -20C.
Are there optional focal reducers for any of these setups?
Are there optional focal reducers for any of these setups?
How do I watch for passing clouds? Do you have an all-sky cam I can watch?
Yes. There are two cameras normally operating and cloud sensor with graphs.
What is binning (bin) in conjunction with the CCD camera?
Binning is a type of configuration that controls the sensitivity and resolution of the camera’s sensor. In the case of the ST8XE and STL-11000M for instance, each pixel is 9 microns square. If you were to select bin 1 then the camera would use each separate pixel to take an image. This is the highest resolution mode but the least sensitive. Bin 2 would electronically join 4 of the pixels to form a new apparent pixel of 18 microns square. This would be 4 times more sensitive than in the bin 1 mode but produce less resolution (image might become easily pixilated upon enlargement). Bin 3 (maximum suggested binned mode for this camera) would produce 27 micron square apparent pixels that would be 9 times more sensitive but again with lower resolution.
How can I tell if it's clear there?
You can use the all sky cam's or the cloud sensor graph. We generally notify you (distribution list) of conditions.
How can I tell if it's clear there?
You can use the all sky cam's or the cloud sensor graph. We generally notify you (distribution list) of conditions.
Is dewing a problem there? Do you have some kind of countermeasures?
AREO1-5 are in the desert. It's very dry. However there are times when moisture is present. We have automatic sensors that close the roof when ever the weather is threatening. All other systems have dew heaters fitted.
Do I operate the telescope and CCD remotely by myself?
You operate the system remotely. We are in the background in case there is a problem (very rare).
When I'm using my paid time, does it go by the nearest minute or once I start another hour then I need to try and use it all?
Use it at your pleasure you are only charged by the portion of the minute you use. The exception is scheduled time. This you must use per your scheduled time.
Is it always available? What about on holidays?
If it's dark and clear we are open. 7 days a week, weather permitting.
This all sounds confusing; just how difficult is the system to operate?
First let me reassure you that the idea of operating Global Rent-a-Scope sounds more intimidating than it really is. For the basic operation, all you have to do is type in a few characters like m31 or m13 or NGC891.
The scopes operation is almost fully automatic. If you request it, I'll be on line with you, real time, using the Yahoo Messenger, for the first few times you use the system to help you through the few settings that you might find confusing. There are only a few settings even in the more complex LRGB mode.
Placing an order for time allows you access the system to view the help files that explains the whole operation.
Can you view the planets and the Moon?
Our scopes are generally set up with a high speed very sensitive CCD cameras mounted at what is known as prime focus or Cassegrain focus. This normally means the cameras are mounted with out any supplementary lens or optics in the light path. This allows our cameras to yield high resolution images of faint fairly large objects using short exposures.
Our systems are way too sensitive to capture a planet or even the Moon. They are also configured in the current mode to acquire images of deep space objects. On Saturn if you were to use the Ha filter (the most dense) you would have to use a shutter speed of .03 seconds.
Where are the telescopes located, can I have the details?
The details of each system can be found when logging on to telescope remotely. Otherwise you can contact us and we would be happy to provide you with the details.
Global Telescope Network
- GRAS-001
- TAK MEWLON 300
FLI IMG 1024 DM
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Deep Space
Telescope: Mewlon 300 - 12", 3572mm FL @ f/11.9
Design: Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain
Camera: FLI IMG1024 Dream Machine
FOV Arc mins: 23.6 x 23.6
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 1.38
Array Pixels: 1024 x 1024
Megapixels: 1
Pixel Size: 24 um
Filters: Photometric BVRI + Clear
- GRAS-002
- TAK MEWLON 300
SBIG ST-8E
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Deep Space
Telescope: Tak Mewlon 300 - 12", 2730mm FL @ f/9.1
Design: Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain
Camera: SBIG ST8E - NABG
FOV Arc mins: 11.5 x 17.3
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 0.68
Pixel Array: 1530 x 1020
Megapixels: 1.6
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: Photometric UBVRI
- GRAS-003
- TAK TOA-150
SBIG ST-10XME
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Wide Field
Telescope: Tak TOA-150 - 1100mm FL @ f/7.33
Design: Fluorite Triplet Apochromat
Camera: SBIG ST10XME - NABG
FOV Arc mins: 31.3 x 46.4
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 1.27
Pixel Array: 4008 x 2672
Megapixels: 3.2
Pixel Size: 6.8um
Filters: LRGB, Ha, SII, OIII and V(Grn)
- GRAS-004
- TAK EPSLION 250
SBIG ST-8XE
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Moderate Deep Space
Telescope: Epsilon 250 - 10", 850mm FL @ f/3.4
Design: Hyperbolic Flat-Field Astrograph
Camera: SBIG ST8XE - NABG
FOV Arc mins: 37.1 x 55.6
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 2.18
Pixel Array: 1530 x 1020
Megapixels: 1.6
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: Photometric BVRI & Ha, SII & OIII
- GRAS-005
- TAK EPSLION 250
SBIG ST-10XME
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Moderate Deep Space
Telescope: Epsilon 250 - 10", 850mm FL @ f/3.4
Design: Hyperbolic Flat-Field Astrograph
Camera: SBIG ST10XME - NABG
FOV Arc mins: 37.1 x 55.6
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 2.18
Pixel Array: 2184 x 1472
Megapixels: 3.2
Pixel Size: 6.8um
Filters: LRGB, Ha, SII & OIII
- GRAS-014
- TAK FSQ 106
SBIG STL-11000M
NEW MEXICO, USA
Telescope Specification
Application: Wide Field
Telescope: Tak Sky FSQ 106 ED - FL 530mm @ f/5
Design: Petzval Apochromat Astrograph
Camera: SBIG STL-11000M - ABG
FOV Arc mins: 155.8 x 233.7
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 3.5
Pixel Array: 4008 x 2672
Megapixels: 11
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: LRGB, Ha, SII & OIII
- GRAS-007
- ASTROGRAPH 15"
SBIG ST-8XE
ISRAEL
Telescope Specification
Application: Moderate Deep Space
Telescope: Barekrthasi 15", FL 1079mm @ f/2.84
Design: Corrected Newtonian Astrograph
Camera: SBIG ST8XE - ABG
FOV Arc mins: 29.2 x 43.7
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 1.71
Pixel Array: 1530 x 1020
Megapixels: 1.6
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: LRGB & Ha
- GRAS-008
- RCOS 12.5"
SBIG STL-11000M
AUSTRALIA
Telescope Specification
Application: Deep Space
Telescope: RCOS 12.5" - FL 2846mm @ f/9
Design: Ritchey-Chrétien Cassegrain
Camera: SBIG STL-11000M - ABG
FOV Arc mins: 29 x 43.5
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 0.65
Pixel Array: 4008 x 2672
Megapixels: 11
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: LRGBV, Ha, SII & OIII
- GRAS-012
- TAK FSQ 106
SBIG STL-11000M
AUSTRALIA
Telescope Specification
Application: Wide Field
Telescope: Tak Sky FSQ 106 ED - FL 530mm @ f/5
Design: Petzval Apochromat Astrograph
Camera: SBIG STL-11000M - ABG
FOV Arc mins: 155.8 x 233.7
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 3.5
Pixel Array: 4008 x 2672
Megapixels: 11
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: LRGB, Ha, SII & OIII
- GRAS-015
- RCOS 10"
SBIG ST-8XME
AUSTRALIA
Telescope Specification
Application: Moderate Deep Space
Telescope: RCOS 10" - FL 1510mm @ f/6
Design: Ritchey-Chrétien Cassegrain
Camera: SBIG ST-8XME - NABG
FOV Arc mins: 20.9 x 31.3
Resolution (Arc secs/pixels): 1.23
Pixel Array: 1530 x 1020
Megapixels: 1.5
Pixel Size: 9um
Filters: LUBVRI, Ha, SII & OIII