Stellar Observations Network Group
SONG
Location
Diameter
Ø 100.00 cm
Responsible scientist
Pere Lluís
Pallé Manzano
Owner institution
User institution
State
Operation year
2011
Description
The 1.0m alt-az mounted Cassegrain telescope is manufactured by ASTELCO Systems GmbH. It can slew between objects with a speed of up to 20 º/s and has a pointing accuracy of less than 3'' RMS. The primary mirror is relatively thin, only 5 cm, and is actively controlled based on Shack-Hartmann measurements.
The third mirror can rotate 180º which allows two Nasmyth foci.
Technical Data
Coude Unit:
|
Iodine Cell Motor: 3 - Position: 3 Name: Iodine Cell
Temp. Set: 65°C Temp. Act: 65.3°C |
Filter Wheel Motor: 1 - Position: 4 Name: Free |
Calibration Mirror Motor: 4 - Position: 4 Name: The Sun Fiber |
|
Slit Motor: 6 - Position: 8 Name: 25 μM |
Mirror Slide Motor: 2 - Position: 3 Name: Beamsplitter Cube |
Spectrograph Focus Motor: 5 |
|
Thorium-Argon Lamp Status: Off |
Halogen Lamp Status: Off |
Nasmyth Unit:
|
Derotator Angle: 0.0000000 Orientation: 0.0000000 Tracking: Off |
ADC Angle 1: 107.5541356 Angle 2: 73.6324026 Tracking: Off |
Filter Wheel Red Position: 4 Red Name: Bessel I Filter Visible Position: 4 Visible Name: Bessel V Filter |
|
Beam Selector Position: 1 Name: Red and Visible |
History
SONG stands for Stellar Observations Network Group. Launched in 2006 by astronomers at Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen, SONG is a Danish-led project dedicated to the design and construction of a global network of small telescopes for the study of stars and planetary systems around stars. The idea was to develop an inexpensive, ultra-modern robotic telescope that would provide maximum scientific impact for the cost and be scientifically unique even before the completion of the entire planned globe-spanning network of eight telescopes.
A prototype of the first telescope, financed by Danish sources, has now been erected and tested at the Teide Observatory on Mount Izaña in Tenerife. At just 1 meter in diameter, the telescope is much smaller than many modern telescope – it is the instrumentation and the possibilities offered by the eventual network that sets SONG apart. The technical equipment, installed in an adjacent shipping container, can all be controlled remotely via an ordinary Internet connection. The facility cost DKK 30 million, significantly less than many of the other new facilities around the world.
