New Wide Field Fast Telescope at the Montsec Observatory

317.500 €

190.000 €

CERCA GINYS-III 007

The new telescope will be complementary to the TJO and it will be optimized for the aforementioned uses in terms of: • Wide field of view: It should cover 2 – 3 deg in a single image. • Fast response, pointing and tracking: Capable for a fast reaction after receiving an observation alert, short pointing time (< 20 sec) and tracking of fast-moving objects (LEO satellites; > 3 deg/s). • Fast data rate: CMOS-type camera capable of >10 fps in full frame and fast readout times to be able to monitor the astrophysical <1 sec time domain and also expand the applications for SST activities. • Back-focus capacity to host future additional instruments (such as optical communications systems). • Storage and data accessibility system adapted to the high amount of data produced (>10 times larger than the data rate produced with the TJO). This service is planned to be managed by the Port d’Informació Científica (PIC) infrastructure, operated by IFAE. Taking into account the technical requirements and the available commercial equipment, we propose the new telescope to include the following components: Telescope Optics: Astro Systeme Austria ASA H400 f/2.4 - Aperture: 400mm - Focal length: 960mm (f/2.4) - Maximum image field: 70mm (4.2º) Telescope mount: Astro Systeme Austria DDM100 - Maximum weight capacity: 100 kg - Maximum speed: 50 deg/s Camera: QHY 411M Pro - Maximum quantum efficiency: ~90% - Number of pixels: 14192 x 10640, 3.76 micron - Sensor size (diagonal): 53.42 x 40.07 mm (66.7 mm) - Field of view at the telescope: 3.1º x 2.4º - Resolution at the telescope: 0.81 arcsec/pixel Dome: Astro Haven 12.5 ft clamshell dome Control computer: Commercial computer (TBD) with high computing capacity and large (scalable) storage space and connectivity for data transmission to PIC. Additionally, the location of the telescope at the OdM should allow for the arrival of services (communication and electrical supplies) and the basement should consist of a simple 4x4m concrete platform to allocate the dome and a physically isolated pillar to support the mount and telescope. Both the pillar and the base of the dome should be elevated (1 - 1.5 meters) to improve horizon visibility for the telescope. The new telescope will benefit from the software and interfaces already developed by IEEC for the TJO for the scheduling (ISROCS), operations (OCS), data reduction (ICAT), user interface (MUR) and will also make use of the Weather Control System taking advantage of the multiple and redundant weather sensors already operational at the OdM.

The IEEC, which manages the Montsec Observatory, acts as project coordinator and equipment manager, responsible for its maintenance and operation. The participation of the IFAE, which manages the Scientific Information Port (PIC), will focus on providing data storage capacity and user accessibility, with sufficient capacity to support the large amount of data expected to be produced by the TRAC. Furthermore, i2CAT's participation in the project is focusing on the research and engineering design necessary for the development of an optical communications system that can be built for use at the TRAC.

The telescope's location in Sant Esteve de la Sarga, one of the regions with the lowest population density in Catalonia, will bring significant benefits at the regional level. The OdM represents a high-impact infrastructure for the municipality, promoting the scientific values ​​and technological potential of Montsec, and attracting interest that will drive the region's socioeconomic development.

Among the improvements brought by TRAC to the scientific and technological capabilities offered by the OdM are its space surveillance and tracking (SST) activities. Currently, the Joan Oró Telescope (TJO) participates in the EU-SST network, observing MEO and GEO orbits. However, it cannot track objects in low-Earth orbits (LEO), a requirement highly sought after by the space industry. The new telescope, with fast tracking capabilities (>1°/s), will meet this need and allow for the recovery of objects with uncertain orbits. In the field of planetary defense, interest in hazardous asteroids has grown with missions such as DART and Hera. The new telescope's rapid response and large field of view make it ideal for tracking near-Earth objects immediately after their discovery, enabling precise trajectory measurements. IEEC is currently participating in contracts with ESA through TJO observing time applied to near-Earth asteroid measurements. This type of activity will expand significantly with TRAC, which will begin operations in 2025. Furthermore, TRAC's optical design is optimized for optical communications with satellites. An additional optical terminal would allow for the testing of emerging technologies such as FSO, particularly useful in CubeSat missions. i2CAT will lead the analysis for its near-term deployment.

At the scientific level, TRAC will excel in low surface luminosity (LSB) astronomy. The telescope's optical characteristics and camera technology will facilitate the study of dwarf galaxies, merging structures, and intracluster light, helping to understand galactic evolution. The IEEC will offer open access to the entire scientific community for the use and exploitation of TRAC through the MUR system, which is already used to receive and manage scientific proposals from the TJO. At the national level, the telescope would be comparable and complementary to facilities such as the Schmidt camera at Calar Alto or the Javalambre Observatory, also adding speed and operational flexibility thanks to the software already developed by the IEEC for the TJO at the OdM