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Paper: The University of Iowa Automated Telescope Facility
Volume: 101, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems V
Page: 380
Authors: Downey, E. C.; Mutel, R. L.
Abstract: We describe a CCD-based automated telescope system in operation at the University of Iowa. Observers initiate observing programs using a simple free-format scripting language for preparing observing requests. The schedule file describes sources, durations, filters and other observing parameters. A telescope scheduling program generates an ordered master observing list for a given night based on priority telescope control daemon then reads the sorted schedule file and issues commands to the hardware control daemons. All CCD images are calibrated (bias, thermal, flat) by default and pattern matched to the Guide Star Catalog, with accurate WCS coordinates written to the FITS header. Additional post-processing tools include an interactive image display and analysis program which supports photometry and astrometry, batch tools to automate supernova searches and time-sequenced photometry, and a stand-alone world coordinate calibration tool. Additional details are available {http://inferno.physics.uiowa.edu} on the WWW.
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