The Stellar Observations Network Group - the Prototype

TL;DR

The paper describes the design and expected performance of a prototype telescope node for the SONG network, focusing on instrumentation for high-precision radial velocities and photometry to enable asteroseismology and microlensing studies.

Contribution

It presents the detailed layout and instrumentation of the first SONG prototype telescope node, including design specifications and expected capabilities.

Findings

Prototype telescope and instrumentation are in detailed design phase.

Installation at Tenerife was scheduled for mid-late 2010.

Expected extensive testing during 2011.

Abstract

The Stellar Observations Network Group (SONG) has obtained full funding for the design, construction and implementation of a prototype telescope and instrumentation package for the first network node. We describe the layout of such a node and its instrumentation and expected performance for radial-velocity measurements. The instrumentation consists of a 1m telescope, equipped with two cameras for photometry of microlensing events with the lucky-imaging technique and a high-resolution spectrograph equipped with an iodine cell for obtaining high-precision radial velocities of solar-like stars, in order to do asteroseismology. The telescope will be located in a dome of ~ 4.5 m diameter, with two lucky-imaging cameras at one of the Nasmyth foci and the spectrograph and instrument control computers at a Coud{\'e} focus, located in an adjacent container. Currently the prototype telescope and instrumentation are undergoing detailed design. Installation at the first site (Tenerife) is expected during mid-late 2010, followed by extensive testing during 2011.