Some problems of developing astrophysical equipment and combining it with optical telescopes

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development and testing of new equipment and methods to improve the accuracy, image quality, and automation of various optical telescopes, including the SAO RAS telescopes and Astro-M series.

Contribution

It introduces the 'Telescope Analyzer' device for assessing telescope performance and outlines plans for system modernization and automation of multiple telescopes.

Findings

Improved pointing correction coefficients determined

Identification of aberration axes and vibration frequencies

Development of automation solutions for telescope control

Abstract

The results of a study of the accuracy characteristics and image quality on the SAO RAS optical telescopes, Zeiss-1000 and BTA, using the recently developed "Telescope Analyzer" device are described: a method for determining the coefficients of the pointing correction system, the position of the aberration axis along the coma in images of star fields, natural frequencies of vibrations of mechanical systems, prospects for the development of the device. Attention is paid to the thermal deformations of the BTA main mirror and measures to reduce them. Mention is made of systems being developed for partial correction of wavefront aberrations due to imperfect mechanics, and plans to modernize the control system of the BTA. The complex of 0.5-meter telescopes "Astro-M" has not been forgotten: hardware and software solutions for automating the first and second telescopes, plans for commissioning of telescopes No 3-5 are described. Links to repositories with developed software and hardware products are provided.