Equipment
The following equipment, plus a few extras still in the planning stages, is housed at a roll-off observatory at New Mexico Skies:
|
Please join the Newastro Remote group. |
My first picture of the equipment is at left. Click on the image to see a
larger version. First Light was in early December, 2002. Check out this First Light Image
of the Flame/Horsehead Nebula region
in h-alpha light Other recent test images:
- Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) in color with C14 and ST-1001E
- Flame Nebula luminance only with C14 and ST-1001E
- Cone Nebula with Sky90 and MaxCam CM-10E
- Thor's Helmet with Sky90 and MaxCam CM-10E
New! Images of Browser Astronomy screens Software Bisque's Browser Astronomy is what we are using the control the scope remotely.
General Information
These remote telescopes are available to all amateurs for imaging with a variety of equipment. They feature first-rate equipment at every level, from optics to mount, and will be available on every clear night - which there are plenty of at New Mexico Skies. With a limiting visual magnitude of 7.0 and an elevation over 7,000 feet, New Mexico Skies is the perfect location to host our telescopes.
Operation of the telescope is controlled by a browser interface (Software Bisque's Browser Astronomy). All camera, telescope, and mount functions required for high-end imaging are available in the browser interface. If you have a special project that requires something not included in the browser interface, to find out about other options.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are available to all amateurs. All subscribers must receive an orientation before they can use the equipment for remote use for the first time. If you are new to imaging, it takes just a couple of hours to become familiar with the equipment and procedures. If you are already imaging with your own equipment, orientation can take just a few minutes.
We have established the following general categories:
Timeshare - Purchase telescope time in blocks of 100 hours or more at one time. Timeshare users have first crack at signing up for telescope time, and receive the largest discounts.
Premium - Purchase at least 50 hours of use at one time.
Standard - Purchase at least 10 hours of use at one time.
Nightly - Sign up for an available night of imaging whenever you like. You must purchase time in blocks of at least 5 hours at a time.
Hourly - Sign up for 1-4 hours of imaging at a time, whenever there is free telescope time.
As Available - Sign up for time on the same day you plan to use it. Price depends on quantity and moon phase. Not always available.
Pricing
Pricing is based on usage: the more time you sign up for, the lower your hourly rate will be. Rates are lower near full moon, so if you have survey work or filtered imaging to do, take advantage of the discounts when the moon is up. Prices are subject to change. Prior to 1/1/2003, special introductory pricing is in effect (see above).
| Subscription Plan | Hourly rate* | Minimum Payment | Purchase and other information |
| Timeshare | $50 | Blocks of 100 hours ($5,000/block) First choice of imaging dates. Includes use of second scope at no additional charge. Includes a bonus of four hours of consulting time. Best of all, your timeshare is guaranteed renewable** | |
| Premium | $55 | Blocks of 50 hours ($2,750/block) 50% discount on use of second scope, and two hours of consulting time. | |
| Standard | $60 | Blocks of 10 hours ($600/block) | |
| Nightly | $65 | Blocks of 5 hours ($325/block) | |
| Hourly | $75 | 1-4 hours | |
| Second scope use | $15 | Charged by the hour only. | Allows you to use second scope for imaging. A second camera, filter wheel, motorized focuser, and computer is included with second scope. |
| As Available | $60 | Discounted pricing for last-minute hourly users. You must buy after 4pm of the day you use, so time will not always be available. | Same-day purchase of time when available. Check schedule (coming early in January) to see if imaging time is available. |
* If you sign up for hours in the weeks on either side of full moon, you get an extra hour for every 2 hours you sign up for. So if 4 of your hours are during the bright moon, you get two additional hours at no extra charge for a total of 6 hours imaging time.
** You must renew within 30 days after using the last of your timeshare hours.
Support Services
The following services are available to anyone. You can supply images taken with our equipment or your own. To submit images, you can either make them available as ZIP files, or send them to us on a CD-R.
| Service | Details | Pricing |
| Image Processing Training | Approximately 3 hours by phone, afternoons only. Includes a one-on-one training session with Ron Wodaski using a live web interface so you can follow along in real time. | $250 |
| Image Processing, Base Service | We can process your images for you. Base service includes full Photoshop processing, sometimes with one or more intermediate images as required. Actual price varies with the complexity of the image requirements. This service is available for any image, whether taken with our telescopes or not. | $150 |
| Image Processing, Premium Service | The Premium service includes image calibration and full Photoshop processing. Actual price varies with the complexity of the image requirements. You will receive feedback on your bias/flat/dark frame techniques, as well as advice about your image and how it can be processed for best results. | Add $50 to base service |
| Image Processing, Premium with custom tutorial | Same features as the Premium service, but with a tutorial including detailed screen captures that document everything done to your image, step by step. Includes a CD-R with your custom tutorial. The tutorial usually lasts about 2-3 hours, plus another hour required for creating the tutorial. | Add $150 to base service |
| Hourly consulting | If you have questions about specific techniques, equipment, or anything related to CCD imaging, you can sign up for hourly consulting. We also fly out to your site to consult on your observatory and/or imaging setup, at the same rate plus expenses. Rate is discounted when more than 6 hours is involved. | $75/hour |
Bonus Time, Special Requirements, etc.
Moon Bonus Time - If the moon is up, you get more time for the same money. For the two weeks around full moon, you get one hour free for every two hours you use. Moon bonus time can only be used during the two weeks around any full moon. We recommend using the H-alpha and OIII filters available for both scopes for maximum productivity during full moon. Ha/OIII/Ha continuum and H-beta filters are always available on the Sky 90, and Ha is always available on the C14. An OIII filter can be inserted into the C14 prior to a nights work when required.
Special Requirements - If you require something special for your imaging, you can pay an hourly rate for the required work. We charge $75/hour, with a minimum charge of a half hour.
Alternate Setups - If you would like to use an alternate setup for an extended period (typically 2 or more nights), we can accommodate you. We are not currently set up to replace telescopes, but we can install a different camera and other accessories for you. This service includes installing drivers, refocusing, moving the mirror lock, making adapters, etc. - whatever is required. We recommend that you make arrangements at least 3-5 weeks in advance to allow time for any unforeseen requirements. We reserve the right to refuse a setup if it will not work physically or electronically with our equipment. Setup changes are charged by the hour, and include setting up the equipment, tearing it down, and replacing the standard setup. The costs are normally higher for the first time we do a setup; subsequent setups go more quickly and with fewer surprises. We can provide an estimate for any setup changes, just let us know what you would like to do.
Scripted Operation - We can write whatever scripts you require, or you can tell us what objects you want to image and we can set up simple scripts for you in advance. There is an hourly charge for custom scripting, but simple scripts will be provided free of charge. We'll post a list of the available simple scripts in the near future.