Péridier Library Abstract Archive

Abstract No. UT 341

Title: Distributed Computing for Astronomical Data Acquisition at McDonald Observatory
Author(s): Phillip W. Kelton
Keywords:
E-Mail: Phillip W. Kelton (to request a full copy of this paper)
Preprint: no URL for preprints available
Release date: 10/11/95 11:35:22
Publication status:
Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures

The University of Texas McDonald Observatory has been developing a distributed real time computing system for telescope control and astronomical data acquisition since the late 1960s. Applications include conventional and high-speed photometry, spectroscopy, automatic telescope tracking, direct imaging, laser ranging, and others. We are now engaged in the design of a new and technologically-advanced 300-inch telescope. A distributed system is planned with on-site computers connected in a local-are network. These telescope computers will be linked from the mountain site to a remote-access facility in Austin with a communication link of high reliability and sufficient bandwidth to allow remote participation in the observing and maintenance processes. Computer control methods should be a key factor in the drastic reduction of the total cost for the 300-inch telescope compared to conventionally-constructed telescopes.