An upgraded 0.4-meter telescope fleet for Las Cumbres Observatory's Educational and Science Programs

TL;DR

LCOGT upgraded its global network of 0.4-meter telescopes with off-the-shelf components to enhance scientific and educational programs, including support for the TESS mission, completing deployment in March 2024.

Contribution

This paper details the design, performance, and modifications of a newly upgraded 0.4-meter telescope fleet for LCOGT's educational and scientific initiatives.

Findings

Successful deployment of 10 upgraded telescopes by March 2024

Enhanced data processing handling CMOS noise and camera modifications

Support for diverse science projects including TESS follow-up observations

Abstract

Las Cumbres Observatory (LCOGT) operates a global network of robotic 0.4, 1.0, and 2.0-meter telescopes to facilitate scientific research and education in time-domain astronomy. LCOGT's flagship educational program, Global Sky Partners (GSP), awards up to 1500 hours per year of telescope time to individuals and organizations that run their own, fully supported, educational programs. The GSP has a presence in 40 countries and 45% of the Partners target under-served, under-represented, and developing world audiences. The degradation and obsolescence of the original 0.4-meter telescope network prompted LCOGT to update the fleet of 10 telescopes to a new system consisting of predominantly off-the-shelf products. New PlaneWave DeltaRho 350 telescopes with Gemini Focuser/Rotators, LCOGT filter wheels, and QHY600 CMOS cameras, complement the original, custom-built mount. The deployment of all ten telescopes was completed in March 2024. We describe the design and performance of this new system and its components. We comment on modifications made to the QHY600 cameras, as well as on the treatment of random telegraph noise of its CMOS detectors within our data processing system BANZAI. The new telescope network supports the GSP program as well as multiple key science projects, including follow-up observations for the TESS satellite mission.