Revival of an abandoned telescope: the Boller and Chivens Bochum 0.61-metre telescope of Universidad de Valparaiso

TL;DR

This paper describes the revival and modernization efforts of the Bochum 0.61-meter telescope at Universidad de Valparaíso, including site characterization, transfer, and plans for remote operation and scientific use.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive plan for upgrading an old telescope for modern scientific, educational, and outreach purposes, including site analysis and remote control development.

Findings

Preliminary site characterization shows promising observing conditions.

Successful transfer of the telescope from La Silla Observatory.

Development of a web-based remote control system for the telescope.

Abstract

In 2015 the Institute of Physics and Astronomy of the Universidad de Valpara\'iso in Chile received as a donation the Bochum 0.61-meter telescope. Here we preset the ongoing project to convert this senior member of La Silla Observatory to modern standards aiming at performing state-of-art science, as well as teaching and outreach. Firstly, the site characterization was performed in order to verify the observing conditions. The preliminary results were auspicious in relation to the nights available for observation. In early 2016 began the transfer work form La Silla Observatory to the new site of operations. The actual status of the telescope was analyzed and an upgrade plan was proposed to make it usable remotely using a web-based telescope control system developed in Chile by ObsTech SpA. Future upgrade and scientific collaboration will be discussed based on the site characterization and technical studies regarding the potential for new instrumentation.