Hiltner 2.4 Meter Telescope
	Telescope Control System In 1994-1995 I wrote a control system for the Hiltner 2.4 meter telescope at Kitt peak national observatory. This telescope is operated by the Michigan-Dartmouth- MIT consortium. The control system enables an observer to point the telescope under computer control through a set of counter timer boards, a digital to analog board and a "muscle box" outside of the control computer. The computer is an DX466 66 MHZ system with 16MB ram running OS/2 warp. The software consists of 16 independent processes which control different aspects of the telescope's operation: RA and DEC paddle motion, RA and DEC auto motion, communications, dome, focus, location transformations, calculations, display, paddle, auto guilder, etc. The system includes a communication link to allow for automatic control of the focus. The system was installed November 1st 1995.
	Special thanks to Bob Barr and John Thorstensen. The Magraw-Hill 1.3 Meter telescope uses a TCS that I adapted from the Hiltner control system. This telescope is not automated so the program only reads and displays the telescope's position. Related Links: MDM Observatory home page UM Astronomy Department Dartmouth Physics and Astronomy John Thorstensen

Telescope Control System

In 1994-1995 I wrote a control system for the Hiltner 2.4 meter telescope at Kitt peak national observatory. This telescope is operated by the Michigan-Dartmouth- MIT consortium. The control system enables an observer to point the telescope under computer control through a set of counter timer boards, a digital to analog board and a "muscle box" outside of the control computer. The computer is an DX466 66 MHZ system with 16MB ram running OS/2 warp. The software consists of 16 independent processes which control different aspects of the telescope's operation: RA and DEC paddle motion, RA and DEC auto motion, communications, dome, focus, location transformations, calculations, display, paddle, auto guilder, etc. The system was installed November 1st 1995. Planned upgrades include a communication link to allow for automatic control of the focus.

Special thanks to Bob Barr and John Thorstensen for doing a great job helping to get the system working.

I am currently planning to do the Magraw-Hill 1.3 Meter telescope next, involving reading and display of the telescope's position.

MDM Observatory home page
UM Astronomy Department
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Dartmouth Physics and Astronomy
John Thorstensen

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