User's Guide (for NOVAC members only), including directions to get access to the Roboscope and start imaging images by Robo users pictures of the structure status updates Pictures of the RoboScope's return

M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. Six 3-minute images, color converted, median stacked, log-scaled to bring out fainter details, Lucy-Richardson deconvolution to sharpen the stars. Click on image for a medium-resolution version; for a full resolution version, click here.

What is it? Right now, NOVAC members in the DC area with web access can take CCD images using only a browser, from our observatory in Centreville, Virginia. Our goal is to move to a darker site by early 2007. At long last we may be almost there... Why do it? let members of all experience levels take CCD images educational - learn about CCD imaging and other aspects of astronomy fun! work on scientific projects: asteroid and/or comet discovery, orbit determination, photometry supernova hunting lots of other potential science projects How does it work? web interface is very easy to use one person at a time controls the scope all you need to know is the name of the object you want to image scientific users can run scripted plans for multiple images enables imaging (even unattended) all night long, every clear night Current equipment Astro-Physics 600E GTO mount 8" Meade LX200R optical telescope assembly SBIG ST-2000XCM single-shot color camera ACP telescope/CCD/user interface software OPTEC TCF-S focuser AP CCDT67 .67 focal reducer (scope operates at f/7.6) Agos focal reducer adapter Kendrick dew heater structure, motors, weather monitoring, power/UPS - built our own Do you want to support the project financially? Donations to NOVAC in support of the project are welcomed, and may be sent to the club treasurer, with a note that it is in support of the robotic observatory, or roboscope. NOVAC is a 501c3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Thanks to the many who have already contributed!