Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Victor M. Blanco 4-m Telescope, and the Dark Energy Survey

Timothy M. C. Abbott; Rolando Catarutti; Eduardo Mondaca; Andres Montane; German Schumacher; Roberto Tighe; Alistair Walker; Del Allspach; Herman Cease; Brenna Flaugher; John Peoples; Andrew Stefanik; Jon Thaler; Vaidotas J. Simatis

doi:10.1117/12.672527

23 June 2006 Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Victor M. Blanco 4-m Telescope, and the Dark Energy Survey

Timothy M. C. Abbott, Rolando Catarutti, Eduardo Mondaca, Andres Montane, German Schumacher, Roberto Tighe, Alistair Walker, Del Allspach, Herman Cease, Brenna Flaugher, John Peoples, Andrew Stefanik, Jon Thaler, Vaidotas J. Simatis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6267, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes; 62673M (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672527
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The CTIO V. M. Blanco 4-m telescope is to be the host facility for the Dark Energy Survey (DES), a large area optical survey intended to measure the dark energy equation of state parameter, w, to a precision of ˜ 5%. The survey is expected to take 5 years and use a new 520 megapixel CCD prime focus imaging system: the Dark Energy Camera (DECam). In preparation for the arrival of DECam, we plan numerous upgrades to the telescope, including a new telescope control system optimized for programmed and queued survey observations, modifications to the telescope itself to improve reliability and performance, extended real-time telemetry of site and facility characteristics, and a distributed observer interface allowing for on- and off-site observations and real time quality control. These upgrades are specifically motivated by the scientific goals of the DES but will also improve community use of the telescope.

Citation Download Citation

Timothy M. C. Abbott, Rolando Catarutti, Eduardo Mondaca, Andres Montane, German Schumacher, Roberto Tighe, Alistair Walker, Del Allspach, Herman Cease, Brenna Flaugher, John Peoples, Andrew Stefanik, Jon Thaler, and Vaidotas J. Simatis "Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Victor M. Blanco 4-m Telescope, and the Dark Energy Survey", Proc. SPIE 6267, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes, 62673M (23 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672527

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