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Robotic Telescope Network
RoboNet-1.0 was a prototype global network of UK-built 2-metre robotic telescopes, the largest of their kind in the world, comprising the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma (Canary Islands), the Faulkes Telescope North on Maui (Hawaii), and the Faulkes Telescope South in Australia, managed by a consortium of ten UK universities under the lead of Liverpool John Moores University. For the technological aims of integrating a global network to act effectively as a single instrument, and maximizing the scientific return by applying the newest developments in e-Science, RoboNet adopted the intelligent-agent architecture devised and maintained by the eSTAR project. With the flexible scheduling and short response time of robotic telescopes being ideal for time-domain astronomy, RoboNet-1.0 had two major science goals that critically depend on these requirements: the determination of origin and nature of gamma-ray bursts, and the detection of cool extra-solar planets by means of gravitational m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robotic Telescope
A robotic telescope is an astronomical telescope and detector system that makes observations without the intervention of a human. In astronomical disciplines, a telescope qualifies as robotic if it makes those observations without being operated by a human, even if a human has to initiate the observations at the beginning of the night or end them in the morning. It may have software agents using artificial intelligence that assist in various ways such as automatic scheduling. A robotic telescope is distinct from a remote telescope, though an instrument can be both robotic and remote. By 2004, robotic observations accounted for an overwhelming percentage of the published scientific information on asteroid orbits and discoveries, variable star studies, supernova light curves and discoveries, comet orbits and gravitational microlensing observations. All early phase gamma ray burst observations were carried by robotic telescopes. Design Robotic telescopes are complex systems that ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Probing Lensing Anomalies Network
The Probing Lensing Anomalies NETwork (PLANET) collaboration coordinates a network of telescopes to rapidly sample photometric measurements of the magnification of stars in the galactic bulge undergoing gravitational microlensing by intervening foreground stars (or other compact massive objects). This network consists of five 1m-class optical telescopes distributed in longitude around the southern hemisphere in order to perform quasi-continuous round-the-clock precision monitoring. On a target-of-opportunity basis, less frequent spectroscopic measurements complement the rapid photometry for selected prime targets. Since 2005, PLANET performs a common microlensing campaign with RoboNet-1.0, a network of UK-operated 2.0m robotic telescopes. In January 2009, PLANET has merged with the MicroFUN collaboration. Telescopes For the 2006 observing season, the telescopes involved were (apart from the RoboNet telescopes): * Danish 1.54m telescope at ESO, La Silla, Chil* 1.0 meter telescop ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MOA-2009-BLG-387L
MOA-2009-BLG-387L is a red dwarf in the Sagittarius constellation that is host to the planet MOA-2009-BLG-387Lb. The star is estimated to be nearly 20,000 light years away and approximately one fifth the mass of the Sun, although large confidence intervals exist, reflecting the uncertainties in both the mass and distance. The star drew the attention of astronomers when it became the lens of gravitational microlensing event MOA-2009-BLG-387L, in which it eclipsed a background star and created distorted caustics, an envelope of reflected or refracted light rays. Analysis of the caustic events and of follow-up observational data led to the planet's discovery, which was reported in February 2011. Observational history On July 24, 2009, the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics collaboration (MOA) detected the star MOA-2009-BLG-387L eclipsing a background star in a microlensing event that was named MOA-2009-BLG-387. In a process called gravitational microlensing, the st ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
OGLE-2006-BLG-109L
OGLE-2006-BLG-109L (where 'L' stands for lens) is a dim magnitude 17 M0V galactic bulge star approximately 4,920 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius. Planetary system In 2008, two extrasolar planets were discovered around the star using gravitational microlensing. The two planets are at a distance from their star that make them suspected analogs of Jupiter and Saturn. The star is surrounded by a planetary system consisting of at least two planets: b with a mass of 0.727 of Jupiter and c with the mass of approximately 0.271 of Jupiter. Their mass ratios, distance ratios, and equilibrium temperatures are similar to those of Jupiter and Saturn in the Solar System as well as the 47 UMa system. Both planets were discovered simultaneously by gravitational microlensing in a common effort by the Optical Gravitational Lensing ExperimentmicroFUN MOA, PLANET and RoboNet collaborations, as announced on 14 February 2008. This is the first planetary system whe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
OGLE-2005-BLG-169L
OGLE-2005-BLG-169L is a dim and distant magnitude 20 galactic bulge star located about 2,700 parsecs away in the constellation Sagittarius. If it is a main sequence star, then it is most likely a red dwarf with about half of the mass of the Sun. Other possibilities are a white dwarf star, or (less likely) a neutron star or black hole. Planetary system In 2006, an Uranus-mass extrasolar planet was detected by gravitational microlensing around this star. See also * List of extrasolar planets * OGLE-2005-BLG-390L * Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment The Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) is a Polish astronomical project based at the University of Warsaw that runs a long-term variability sky survey (1992–present). The main goals are the detection and classification of variable ... or ''OGLE'' References External links * M-type main-sequence stars Planetary systems with one confirmed planet Sagittarius (constellation) Gravitat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb
OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb (known sometimes as Hoth by NASA) is a super-Earth exoplanet orbiting OGLE-2005-BLG-390L, a star from Earth near the center of the Milky Way, making it one of the most distant planets known. On January 25, 2006, Probing Lensing Anomalies NETwork/ Robotic Telescope Network (PLANET/Robonet), Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE), and Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) made a joint announcement of the discovery. The planet does not appear to meet conditions presumed necessary to support life. Characteristics Mass, radius and temperature The planet is estimated to be about five times Earth's mass (5.5 ). Some astronomers have speculated that it may have a rocky core like Earth, with a thin atmosphere. Its distance from the star, and the star's relatively low temperature, means that the planet's likely surface temperature is around , making it one of the coldest known. If it is a rocky world, this temperature would make it likely that th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
OGLE-2005-BLG-071L
OGLE-2005-BLG-071L is a distant, magnitude 19.5 galactic bulge star located in the constellation Scorpius, approximately 11,000 light years away from the Solar System. The star is probably a red dwarf with a mass 43% of that of the Sun. Planetary system In 2005 an exoplanet was discovered orbiting this star by the microlensing method, the second planet found by this method. The planet was later confirmed by the Keck telescope and its properties were refined. See also * List of extrasolar planets * Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment The Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) is a Polish astronomical project based at the University of Warsaw that runs a long-term variability sky survey (1992–present). The main goals are the detection and classification of variable ... or ''OGLE'' References External links * M-type main-sequence stars Scorpius (constellation) Planetary systems with one confirmed planet Gravitational lensing {{ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Exoplanet
An exoplanet or extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System. The first possible evidence of an exoplanet was noted in 1917 but was not recognized as such. The first confirmation of detection occurred in 1992. A different planet, initially detected in 1988, was confirmed in 2003. There are many methods of detecting exoplanets. Transit photometry and Doppler spectroscopy have found the most, but these methods suffer from a clear observational bias favoring the detection of planets near the star; thus, 85% of the exoplanets detected are inside the tidal locking zone. In several cases, multiple planets have been observed around a star. About 1 in 5 Sun-like starsFor the purpose of this 1 in 5 statistic, "Sun-like" means G-type star. Data for Sun-like stars was not available so this statistic is an extrapolation from data about K-type stars. have an "Earth-sized"For the purpose of this 1 in 5 statistic, Earth-sized means 1–2 Earth radii. planet in the habitable zone. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Automated Robotic Terrestrial Exoplanet Microlensing Search
Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, namely by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines. Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices, and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes, and ships typically use combinations of all of these techniques. The benefit of automation includes labor savings, reducing waste, savings in electricity costs, savings in material costs, and improvements to quality, accuracy, and precision. Automation includes the use of various equipment and control systems such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is a network of astronomical observatories run by a non-profit private operating foundation directed by the technologist Wayne Rosing. Its offices are in Goleta, California. The telescopes are located at both northern and southern hemisphere sites distributed in longitude around the Earth. For some astronomical objects, the longitudinal spacing of telescopes allows continuous observations over 24 hours or longer. The operating network currently consists of two 2 meter telescopes, nine 1 meter telescopes, and seven 40 cm telescopes, placed at six astronomical observatories. The network operates as a single, integrated, observing facility, using a software scheduler that continuously optimizes the planned observing schedule of each individual telescope. History Rosing incorporated Las Cumbres Observatory in 1993 with the goal of aiding universities, observatories, and individuals in the acquisition and improvement of telescopes, op ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Faulkes Telescopes
The Faulkes Telescope Project (FTP) is supported by the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust. It provides access to 1,500 hours of observing time on two 2-metre class telescopes located in Hawaii (Faulkes Telescope North in Hawaii) and Australia (Faulkes Telescope South in Australia). This time is dedicated to education and public outreach, mainly in the UK, but also for smaller, selected projects in Europe and the US. FTP has operated a UK-wide educational programme since 2004, and currently works with science education projects across Europe and further afield (e.g. USA, Russia, Israel), including many EU-based science, maths and ICT programmes. FTP specialises in providing physics and maths education and outreach via astronomy and space science, utilising the unique access it can provide to research-grade facilities. The basic philosophy is to engage learners in “real science”, making them active participants in a range of astronomical research projects, ranging from observati ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
