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Design and implementation of a software package to control a network of robotic observatories
Author(s) -
Tuparev G.,
Nicolova I.,
Zlatanov B.,
Mihova D.,
Popova I.,
Hessman F. V.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
astronomische nachrichten
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-3994
pISSN - 0004-6337
DOI - 10.1002/asna.200610630
Subject(s) - usability , software , computer science , software package , process (computing) , control (management) , simple (philosophy) , software engineering , systems engineering , operating system , engineering , artificial intelligence , philosophy , epistemology
We present a description of a reusable software package able to control a large, heterogeneous network of fully and semi‐robotic observatories initially developed to run the MONET network of two 1.2m telescopes. Special attention is given to the design of a robust, long‐term observation scheduler which also allows the trading of observation time and facilities within various networks. The handling of the “Phase I&II” project‐development process, the time‐accounting between complex organizational structures, and usability issues for making the package accessible not only to professional astronomers, but also to amateurs and high‐school students is discussed. A simple RTML‐based solution to link multiple networks is demonstrated. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)