Two years of LCOGT operations: the challenges of a global observatory

Nikolaus Volgenau; Todd Boroson

doi:10.1117/12.2233830

15 July 2016 Two years of LCOGT operations: the challenges of a global observatory

Nikolaus Volgenau, Todd Boroson

Proceedings Volume 9910, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VI; 99101C (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233830
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

With 18 telescopes distributed over 6 sites, and more telescopes being added in 2016, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network is a unique resource for timedomain astronomy. The Network's continuous coverage of the night sky, and the optimization of the observing schedule over all sites simultaneously, have enabled LCOGTusers to produce significant science results. However, practical challenges to maximizing the Network's science output remain. The Network began providing observations for members of its Science Collaboration and other partners in May 2014. In the two years since then, LCOGT has made a number of improvements to increase the Network's science yield. We also now have two years' experience monitoring observatory performance; effective monitoring of an observatory that spans the globe is a complex enterprise. Here, we describe some of LCOGT's efforts to monitor the Network, assess the quality of science data, and improve communication with our users.

Citation Download Citation

Nikolaus Volgenau and Todd Boroson "Two years of LCOGT operations: the challenges of a global observatory", Proc. SPIE 9910, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VI, 99101C (15 July 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233830

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