KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Artificial intelligence, Systems modeling, Data modeling, Astronomy, Control systems, Databases, Advanced process control, Automatic control, Automation, Facility engineering, Data transmission
The Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ†1 ) in Spain is a young astronomical facility, conceived and developed from the beginning as a fully automated observatory with the main goal of optimizing the processes in the scientific and general operation of the Observatory. The OAJ has been particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view: the JST/T250, a 2.55 m telescope of 3 deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83 cm telescope of 2 deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousand square degrees, J-PAS†2 and J-PLUS†3 , each of them with a wide range of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and Dark Energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, exoplanets, among many others. To do that, JST and JAST are equipped with panoramic cameras deployed within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively, which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal plane. The first part of this paper elaborates on the organizational advantages realized through the incorporation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) in our operations. These administrative tools offer a coherent framework for workforce optimization, reducing operational costs, and achieving scientific objectives while maintaining stringent quality standards. Central to this strategy is the employment of a common inventory structure to facilitate seamless interdepartmental processes. The second section explores how emerging technologies, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), are integral in achieving a harmonized global framework. AI models and algorithms are instrumental in optimizing various facets of the observatory's operations, thereby furnishing the project with essential high-quality tools for success. This multi-faceted approach not only meets but exceeds operational and scientific targets within budgetary constraints, setting a benchmark for observatory operational efficiency and performance.
First scientific operation and performances of the Javalambre Panoramic Camera (JPCam) are presented in this paper. JPCam, deployed on the 2.6m large field-of-view Javalambre Survey Telescope (JST250) at the Observatorio Astrof´ısico de Javalambre (OAJ), is a 1.2 Gpixel camera conceived to perform the Javalambre Physics of the Accelerated Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS). J-PAS in an unprecedented photometric sky survey of several thousand square degrees of the northern sky in 56 optical bands, 54 of them narrow-band filters (145 Å FWHM). The innovative designs of the J-PAS instrument and filter system has been optimized to accurately measure photometric redshifts for galaxies up to z∼1 and to study stellar populations in nearby galaxies. As a result, J-PAS will provide a low-resolution spectroscopy for hundreds of millions of other galaxies. The data set produced by this survey will have a unique legacy value, allowing a wide range of astrophysical studies. To this aim, JPCam is equipped with a mosaic of 14 large format 9.2k x 9.2k, 10μm pixel, low noise detectors from Teledyne-E2V, providing an unvignetted Field of View of 3.4 square degrees with a plate scale of 0.2267′′/pix. Its filter unit admits 5 filter trays, each mounting 14 filters corresponding to the 14 CCDs of the mosaic and allowing all the J-PAS filters to be permanently installed. To optimize image quality during the observations, the position of the JST250 secondary mirror and JPCam focal plane are maintained optically aligned by means of two hexapod systems. To perform this task, JPCam includes 12 auxiliary detectors, 4 for autoguiding and 8 for image quality control through wavefront sensing. JPCam commissioning was successfully completed and first scientific operation started in summer 2023. This paper shows JPCam on-sky operation and first J-PAS Science Verification results, demonstrating fulfilment of the main J-PAS scientific requirements.
Commissioning results, on-sky performance and first operations of the Javalambre Panoramic Camera (JPCam) are presented in this paper. JPCam is a 1.2 Gpixel camera deployed on the 2.6m, large field-of-vie Javalambre Survey Telescope (JST250) at the Observatorio Astrof´ısico de Javalambre. JPCam has been conceived to perform J-PAS, a photometric survey of several thousand square degrees of the northern sky in 56 optical bands, 54 of them narrow-band filters (145 ˚A FWHM), contiguous and equi-spaced between 370 and 920nm, producing a low resolution photo-spectrum of every pixel of the observed sky, hence promising crucial breakthroughs in Cosmology and galaxy formation and evolution. JPCam has been designed to maximize field-of-view and wavelength coverage while guaranteeing a high image quality over the entire focal plane. To this aim, JPCam is equipped with a mosaic of 14 9.2k x 9.2k, 10µm pixel, low noise detectors from Teledyne-E2V, providing a FoV of 4.1 square degrees with a plate scale of 0.2267′′/pix. In full frame mode, camera electronics allows read times of 10.9s at 633kHz read frequency (16.4s at 400kHz) with a readout noise of 5.5e− (4.3e−). Its filter unit admits 5 filter trays, each mounting 14 filters corresponding to the 14 CCDs of the mosaic and allowing all the J-PAS filters to be permanently installed. To fully optimize image quality, position of JST250 secondary mirror and JPCam focal plane are maintained optically aligned by means of two hexapod systems. To perform this task, JPCam includes 12 auxiliary detectors, 4 for autoguiding and 8 for image quality control through wavefront sensing.
KEYWORDS: Observatories, Control systems, Telescopes, Astronomy, Buildings, Control systems design, Systems modeling, Telecommunications, System integration, Optical filters
The Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ†1 ) in Spain is a young astronomical facility, conceived and developed from the beginning as a fully automated observatory with the main goal of optimizing the processes in the scientific and general operation of the Observatory. The OAJ has been particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view (FoV): the JST/T250, a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of 2deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousands square degrees, J-PAS†2 and J-PLUS†3 , each of them with a wide range of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and Dark Energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, exoplanets, among many others. To do that, JST and JAST are equipped with panoramic cameras under development within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively, which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal plane. This paper describes in detail, from operations point of view, a comparison between the detailed cost of the global automation of the Observatory and the standard automation cost for astronomical facilities, in reference to the total investment and highlighting all benefits obtained from this approach and difficulties encountered. The paper also describes the engineering development of the overall facilities and infrastructures for the fully automated observatory and a global overview of current status, pinpointing lessons learned in order to boost observatory operations performance, achieving scientific targets, maintaining quality requirements, but also minimizing operation cost and human resources.
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