Acquisition and guiding for TAIPAN using Starbugs

Carlos Bacigalupo, Michael Goodwin, Rebecca Brown, David Brown, Scott Case, Tony Farrell, Kyler Kuehn, Nuria Lorente

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The AAO Starbugs is a multi-functional positioning device used in the TAIPAN instrument currently being commissioned on the UK Schmidt Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. TAIPAN is part of a design study for MANIFEST which is a fibre positioning instrument proposed for the Giant Magellan Telescope. The acquisition and guiding system for TAIPAN uses nine standard Starbugs, referred to as Guide Bugs. Each one uses a 7000 core coherent polymer fibre bundle on individual guide stars. This provides an astrometric reference frame for science fibre positioning, telescope guiding, instrument alignment and focus, all of which are invariant to telescope and atmospheric geometric anomalies. Guide Bugs are a technology that will enable improved science results for the TAIPAN instrument. In this paper we outline the design features and provide an update on software development.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation III
EditorsRamón Navarro, Roland Geyl
Place of PublicationBellingham, Washington
PublisherSPIE
Pages107065V-1-107065V-12
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781510619661
ISBN (Print)9781510619654
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventAdvances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation III 2018 - Austin, United States
Duration: 10 Jun 201815 Jun 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSPIE
Volume10706
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceAdvances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation III 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period10/06/1815/06/18

Keywords

  • Acquisition and guiding
  • Astrometric reference frame
  • Coherent polymer fibre bundle
  • Fibre positioner
  • Guide bug
  • Starbug
  • Telescope guiding

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