Tools and Languages
- Development language: LabView
- Architecture, design, and UML: Enterprise Architect
- Source control: Subversion
- Testing: Lowell telescope simulator
In order to achieve this solution while allowing Lowell scientists to maintain the system long-term, we aim to build our project in LabView, the graphical programming language of choice for existing Telescope Control Systems. ASP.NET/C# may be employed for the user interface.
Our product will consist of three main technical pieces, as well as the tools needed for these pieces to interact with one another and with existing Discovery Channel Telescope systems. The three pieces are the user interface, the star grid, and the scheduler algorithm, with the grid acting as the main link (and possibly a part) of the other two. First, a user interface will be provided that will accept an input file of celestial coordinates. This will then create the star grid, which will interact heavily with the scheduler algorithm (along with the TCS, so the algorithm knows where the telescope is currently pointing). See the diagram below:
Abstract sketch of our technical solution.
These three pieces may interact for some time as the end user continues that session’s observations. Ultimately the user will indicate observations are complete, and the grid will provide a final report. Some minor modification may be required to existing systems for proper integration, which is illustrated in the overlap in the diagram above.
The Team Celestial product will be installed and run on one or more desktops at Lowell Observatory that exist on-site with the Discovery Channel Telescope. Testing will be available via network and the Observatory’s Telescope Simulator.