The ROTSE‐III Robotic Telescope System

2003193 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

C. Akerlof · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

R. Kehoe · Michigan State University

Timothy A. McKay · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

E. S. Rykoff · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

D. A. Smith · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

D. E. Casperson · Los Alamos National Laboratory

K. McGowan

Abstract

The observation of a prompt optical flash from GRB990123 convincingly demonstrated the value of autonomous robotic telescope systems. Pursuing a program of rapid follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts, the Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE) has developed a next-generation instrument, ROTSE-III, that will continue the search for fast optical transients. The entire system was designed as an economical robotic facility to be installed at remote sites throughout the world. There are seven major system components: optics, optical tube assembly, CCD camera, telescope mount, enclosure, environmental sensing & protection and data acquisition. Each is described in turn in the hope that the techniques developed here will be useful in similar contexts elsewhere.

Topics & Keywords

Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies Astro and Planetary Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life in Land

Publication Details

Published in: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Volume 115, Issue 803, pp. 132-140

DOI: 10.1086/345490

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 5.62