Astronomy and the Beauty
of the Swiss Alps

News/updates
AAV construction
Publicity


(click the image)

Become an AAV shareholder

Astroclub
Member benefits
Become a member

Photo-Gallery
Astronomy
Nature
Regional themes
Photocontests

Regional topics
Events
Culture

Sponsoring
Why a sponsorship
Categories
Become a sponsor
Our sponsors

Comments
SURVEY
Questions/Suggestions
View guestbook
Sign guestbook

Advisory board
AB members

The founders
General info
Scientific papers

Observatories

The observatory part of AAV Lue-
Stailas will consist of six separate 3-m domes (Pro-Domes) , each equipped with a control system providing flexible, fully integrated dome control (Digital Dome Works, DDW). This will allow remote and automated operation of shutter control and dome rotation also from the AAV center. All shutter controllers are moreover connected to a weather station and a cloud sensor (shown is DL's Boltwood CS) and the dome shutters will close automatically (with park-before-close option) when heavy clouds, high winds, or elevated air moisture are detected.

All of the observatories have their telescopes permanently mounted on steel piers bolted to concrete blocks that are solidly attached to the ground and isolated from the observatory floor.

The steel piers are tuned with sand to be non-resonant. 220-volt ground fault protected power outlets are provided at every pier.

Each dome will be equipped with a video camera in order to follow the movement of the imaging telescope remotely from the main AAV building. The entire area will be under electronic surveillance.

Imaging setups

Mounts and Telescopes
All domes will house a robotic Paramount ME with an f/7.3 10" Ritchey-Chretien (RC10) with optics by Star Instruments or a 12.5" field-corrected Dall-Kirkham, the CDK12.5. For widefield imaging each setup will include a 4" apochromatic refractor.

Cameras

As main imaging CCD camera we have chosen a full-frame option such as the Apogee Ascent A11000 or one of the new FLI MicroLine models with matching filterwheel and sets of LRGB and Ha/SII/OIII filters. A manual off axis guider (MOAG, Astrodon) will allow guiding in front of the filters to facilitate especially narrowband imaging.

Adapters for Canon, Nikon, and Olympus DSLRs will be available for visitors who wish to bring their camera for widefield imaging (it is also possible to bring your dedicated astrocamera but arrangement prior to a visit is mandatory).

The imaging process

Whether you are a beginner or advanced amateur, we can help you to enjoy your stay and usage of our imaging setups. Since all of them can be operated remotely, you have the choice to work directly in your dome or to do astrophotography over the internet from your studio. For planning your sessions, you will be able to use software like The Sky and Astroplanner, while the imaging itself is done with MaximDL/CCD, ACP, or CCDSoft.

For the processing of your acquired data, several computer stations are at you disposal on each of the two studio floors, with all the software you will need to really make "every pixel count" (PS CS3, MaximDL, CCDStack, CCDSoft, ImagePlus, to name just the main ones). Once your results are on your DVD, you can share your imaging experience and discuss your results with others in the library or one of the visitor lounges on the upper floors. That way, you will help to make AAV Lue-Stailas a real astrophotographer's community that everybody will want to return to and can profit from as much as possible.

Starparties

During public activities like starparties you are welcome to bring your own equipment. Also, consider to become an AAV club member and profit even more from the site and its program.

While we will be glad to prepare star charts for you, we do not provide piers, mounts, tripods or other accessories, or instruction on how to set up and/or use your own equipment. Please, plan on deploying your equipment before dark, and bring weatherproof protective covering for it.

Outside public events, we do not provide set up space or equipment to those not staying with us.

More instruments at AAV

Additional instruments for introductory and visual astronomy (16" Dobsonians, 4" refractors) as well as for solar observation and imaging (H-alpha and CaK filters) during the day are planned and will be available for astrophotographers staying with us or for AAV club members visiting the center.

The main purpose of our site is astrophotography. However, since there will be also instruments setup for visual exploration (for those who are taking long exposures with the main instruments or others who wish simply to enjoy the night skies through the eyepiece), you are welcome to bring your favorite eyepieces to AAV. We will also stock an assortment of eyepieces ourselves (including ones with long eye relief for those who must view through glasses) for those staying with us.