The Virtual Telescope - Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory


	The Observatory Visit the Observatory site for a detailed description First light with the new setup! The Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory was founded in 1997, soon after the passage of comet Hale-Bopp and after 15 years of observations without a permanent station. It is located in Ceccano (FR), Central Italy. Since 1997 the Observatory is identified by the Minor Planet Center code 470. Since 1998 it hosts the Italian station of the Center for Backyard Astrophysics (Columbia University, New York) and the VSNET Collaboration Team. In Jan. 2006 the available instrumentation was deeply upgraded. The main instrument is now based on a C14-f/11 (360mm, Fastar model) OTA, on a robotic Paramount ME from Software Bisque; the detector is a SBIG ST-8-XME, NABG, class 1, CCD camera, equipped with a CFW-10SA filter wheel. The available filters are: B, V, R and I (Bessel) from Customs Scientific; Astronomik Type II L, R, G, B; a diffraction grating with 100 lines/mm. The system uses an Optec robotic TCF-S focuser, taking temperature variations into account. This is an excellent setup, providing an impressing efficiency and scientific return. The other telescope is based on a C11-f/10 (280mm) OTA, on a Vixen New Atlux , which includes a Skysensor 2000PC microcomputer; the detector is a SBIG ST-8XME, NABG, class 1, CCD camera, equipped with a CFW-10SA filter wheel. The available filters are: Astronomik type II L, R, G, B filters; Astronomik 6nm H-alpha filter, with 92% of transmission; V and R Bessel photometric filters by Omega Filters. The system uses an Optec robotic TCF-S focuser, taking temperature variations into account. The whole setup is managed with the the Software Bisque suite, allowing remote and unattended observations. The pointing precisione is about 1', thanks to proper T-Point modeling. This telescope is currently unavailable, its mount being updated with another Paramount ME. A third telescope is also available, based on a Takahashi FS-102NSV (102mm) f/8 OTA on a fully robotic Vixen GP2D equatorial mount (same software as above); it uses a SBIG ST8-XME, NABG, class 1. CCD camera as detector. All the instruments, completely independent, are installed under a motorized, sliding-roof shelter, which can be operated remotely. The Observatory uses an ADSL connection and a network of three computers with enough resources to run the instruments and data processing. For image reduction and data analysis, IDL, CCDSoft, Astrometrica and Iris are used. A third 150mm-f/5 telescope is going to be installed soon: it will be fully robotic too. A portable Vixen ED80sf on Porta mount, used for public activities completes the available instrumentation.

The Observatory

Visit the Observatory site for a detailed description

The Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory was founded in 1997, soon after the passage of comet Hale-Bopp and after 15 years of observations without a permanent station.

It is located in Ceccano (FR), Central Italy. Since 1997 the Observatory is identified by the Minor Planet Center code 470. Since 1998 it hosts the Italian station of the Center for Backyard Astrophysics (Columbia University, New York) and the VSNET Collaboration Team.

In Jan. 2006 the available instrumentation was deeply upgraded. The main instrument is now based on a C14-f/11 (360mm, Fastar model) OTA, on a robotic Paramount ME from Software Bisque; the detector is a SBIG ST-8-XME, NABG, class 1, CCD camera, equipped with a CFW-10SA filter wheel. The available filters are: B, V, R and I (Bessel) from Customs Scientific; Astronomik Type II L, R, G, B; a diffraction grating with 100 lines/mm.

The system uses an Optec robotic TCF-S focuser, taking temperature variations into account.

This is an excellent setup, providing an impressing efficiency and scientific return.

The other telescope is based on a C11-f/10 (280mm) OTA, on a Vixen New Atlux , which includes a Skysensor 2000PC microcomputer; the detector is a SBIG ST-8XME, NABG, class 1, CCD camera, equipped with a CFW-10SA filter wheel. The available filters are: Astronomik type II L, R, G, B filters; Astronomik 6nm H-alpha filter, with 92% of transmission; V and R Bessel photometric filters by Omega Filters.

The system uses an Optec robotic TCF-S focuser, taking temperature variations into account.

The whole setup is managed with the the Software Bisque suite, allowing remote and unattended observations. The pointing precisione is about 1', thanks to proper T-Point modeling.

This telescope is currently unavailable, its mount being updated with another Paramount ME.

A third telescope is also available, based on a Takahashi FS-102NSV (102mm) f/8 OTA on a fully robotic Vixen GP2D equatorial mount (same software as above); it uses a SBIG ST8-XME, NABG, class 1. CCD camera as detector.

All the instruments, completely independent, are installed under a motorized, sliding-roof shelter, which can be operated remotely.

The Observatory uses an ADSL connection and a network of three computers with enough resources to run the instruments and data processing. For image reduction and data analysis, IDL, CCDSoft, Astrometrica and Iris are used.

A third 150mm-f/5 telescope is going to be installed soon: it will be fully robotic too.

A portable Vixen ED80sf on Porta mount, used for public activities completes the available instrumentation.