Physics & Astronomy

What is ROVOR?

The ROVOR (Remote Observatory for Variable Object Research) is a low budget, low maintenance, computer controlled telescope designed for specific target research. ROVOR will be dedicated to monitoring bright variable stars, galaxian nuclei and QSO's, as well as targets-of-opportunity such as Supernovae and GRBs. Observing is completely automated upon submitting a target list to the system.

Interfacing with the GCN
ROVOR will be interruptible for targets-of-opportunity upon receiving a properly formatted message from BYU. Such messages are generated automatically by the on-campus ROVOR computer and sent to ROVOR upon receipt of a visible GRB from the Gamma Ray Coordinates Network (GCN).

Weather Forecasting
A weather station will be placed nearby along with a web cam to give the current weather and viewing conditions at the observing site. ROVOR's programming will also use information provided by various weather services and satellites at the users' discretion. The telescope will automatically be sent to the home position with the dome closing if any unfavorable conditions occur.

Power Source
ROVOR will be powered by a propane generator on site along with batteries recharged by solar panels.

Software
National Instruments LabVIEW will control all features of ROVOR through satellite connection via internet. LabVIEW provides a means for creating virtual instruments to control data acquisition and it will control the weather station, dome operations, taking and storing observational data, tracking, power usage, and web cam monitoring.

The Lifferth Dome:

The lifferth Dome is a pull-off roof designed for small telescopes and other observational equipment. It was specifically designed for the needs of the ROVOR project. The roof itself is completely removed from the observatory housing walls and cranked off to the side below the optical horizon. This is done using two swing arms on either side of the observatory that workin unison to lift the roof off the structure and rotate down and away into a cleared location. The torque is provided by a threaded rod connected to an electric motor at the back of the building. As the motor rotates, the threads turn through a threaded sleeve connected directly to the support arms. Operation is by computer control through National Instruments LabVIEW via the internet.

Advantages of the Lifferth Dome:

• No lost horizon.
• No roller surfaces to keep clean.
• Low power requirements.
• Simple limit switches.