# DSN Transient Observatory

## TL;DR

The DSN Transient Observatory (DTO) is a signal processing facility that monitors multiple downlink bands for astronomical signals, enabling diverse scientific investigations such as SETI, pulsars, and planetary phenomena, while operating alongside deep space telemetry reception.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the design and implementation of the DTO, a novel multi-band monitoring system integrated with DSN infrastructure for astronomical signal detection.

## Key findings

- Successfully monitors multiple bands simultaneously
- Detects various astronomical signals including fast radio bursts and SETI signals
- Operates concurrently with deep space mission telemetry reception

## Abstract

The DSN Transient Observatory (DTO) is a signal processing facility that can monitor up to four DSN downlink bands for astronomically interesting signals. The monitoring is done commensally with reception of deep space mission telemetry. The initial signal processing is done with two CASPER ROACH1 boards, each handling one or two baseband signals. Each ROACH1 has a 10~GBe interface with a GPU-equipped Debian Linux workstation for additional processing. The initial science programs include monitoring Mars for electrostatic discharges, radio spectral lines, searches for fast radio bursts and pulsars and SETI. The facility will be available to the scientific community through a peer review process.