Invention:
The Acquisition subsystem in the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) software suite manages the operation of telescopes and instruments to capture data on asteroids and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). Once areas of the sky are selected for observation, Acquisition takes over, accepting the input from the Planner subsystem and coordinating the telescope, camera, and other devices to efficiently gather data. It prioritizes observations based on their location and urgency, and it can automatically adjust to new requests in real time. The system is optimized to keep the camera in operation as much as possible, overlapping tasks such as image downloads and telescope movement to maximize performance. While Acquisition is designed for specific telescope hardware, it is built to be adaptable, allowing for relatively easy customization when transferring to other telescopes. This ensures the system can be used across different observatories, aligning with NASA’s Open-Source Data Management Plan to support global efforts in detecting hazardous asteroids.
Background:
Current solutions to efficiently operate telescopes and instruments to track asteroids and Near-Earth Objects often involve manual adjustments or less automated systems that require separate control of telescopes, cameras, and other hardware. These approaches can lead to inefficiencies, such as delays between image captures or missed observations due to manual handling of equipment, and possible delays in handling real-time adjustments when new observation priorities arise. The Acquisition subsystem improves upon these issues by automating the entire process, ensuring that the telescope and camera are working together seamlessly. It prioritizes observations, manages telescope movements, and overlaps tasks like image downloads and focusing to maximize efficiency. The system can also adjust dynamically to new requests, making it faster and more responsive than traditional methods. This streamlined approach reduces downtime and increases the likelihood of capturing critical data, making it a more effective tool for NEO detection and tracking.
Applications:
- Near-Earth Object detection and tracking
- Astronomical survey operations
- Space exploration and observation
Advantages:
- Automates telescope and camera operations for greater efficiency
- Reduces downtime by overlapping tasks like image downloads and telescope movement
- Adapts in real-time to new observation requests and priorities
- Supports research in alignment with NASA's Open-Source Data Management Plan
