Fairborn Observatory

Telescopes Systems


Fairborn Observatory has constructed automated photometric telescope systems of .25 to .8 meter aperture. Our facilities include the capability for electronic and mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, and some machining. We contract with outside suppliers for optics, heavy machining, and building construction. We offer services to design, construct, and operate complete single or multi-channel photometric systems and CCD imaging systems in the .5 to 1 meter class including the enclosures and related support systems. We also offer the service to supervise installation and automate suitable telescopes in 1 to 2 meter class and equip them with automated photometers or cameras and enclosures. Automation of existing or new spectroscopes or other instruments is also possible. We do not currently have the capability to design or construct spectroscopes or to fabricate telescopes larger than 1 meter. We will consider providing support facilities, operation, and maintenance for complete automated systems designed and installed by the user as is being done with the two meter Tennessee State University automated spectroscopic telescope. Our charges are based on the cost of construction plus a yearly operating and maintenance fee which divides the cost of operating the observatory between the various site users.


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