100 Hours of Astronomy, an IYA cornerstone project, is pleased to announce "100 Hours of Remote Astronomy". Several remote observatories are generously donating time to the public during 100 Hours of Astronomy, April 2-5. You are invited to sign up to control a telescope online and take pictures, or have them taken for you. No astronomical knowledge is required, and it's all free! To take part, go to this link
GRAS (Global-Rent-a-Scope) has all multiple systems participating. There are 12 systems in all. If you are just starting out with remote astronomy we suggest you try our GRAS-013 system located in Australia.
GRAS-013" or "G13" is the name of 1 of our 11 telescopes on our network. G13 is a 90mm refracting telescope located in Australia. It has a special astronomy Digital Camera fitted to it called a CCD.
G13 can take full color images in a single exposure. So what happens after I've used up my free time? Absolutely nothing!
Unless of course you want to upgrade your account to a full service account that provides access to the entire GRAS telescope network, including the rights to the digital CCD "fits" data from the camera as well as being able to point the telescope to any part of the sky yourself.
How do I upgrade my account? You can upgrade your account at any stage by subscribing to one of our plans here: How about try out our full service offering here:
With normal digital photography exposure times are measured in 100th or even 1000th of a second. Astrophotography exposure times are measured in minutes range from 1 to 60 minutes depending on how dim the celestial object is. Most exposure times on G13 are 5 to 10 minutes in length.
Astronomy CCD Digital Camera When the CCD camera takes a long exposure it needs to be cooled down as the main imaging sensor gets very hot. G13 can be cooled down to negative 25c this allows you to take long exposures otherwise the image would contain lots of noise and wouldn't look very pleasing to the eye.
You don't need to know a lot about astronomy to use G13 as it is very simple to use, just select your target from our One-Click imaging system. G13 will then set the exposure time, move the telescope and image your requested object. A 10 minute exposure needed about 15 minutes of telescope control time.
After the process is complete your image will be displayed up on the screen and emailed to you directly, so you can share it with your friends and family.
Many members of GRAS and the RAS Observatory routinely perform the following research activities: Astrometry, Photometry, CCD Imaging, Remote Astronomy, Robotic Astronomy, Supernova, Variable stars, doubles star research, binary star research, eclipsing variables, comet research, asteroid hunting, Astrophotography, Galaxies, Nebula, Planet, Space, Minor planets, deep space, Gamma Ray Bursters, Astroimaging, astroimager, photography
They use the following equipment to perform their activities: CCD cameras, scientific filters, technical experience, research, telescope mounts, optical systems, Paramount, Takahashi, SBIG, FLI, Astrophysics, CCD camera,
Learn more about the new GRAS concept of DIRECT CONTROL under development.
See video of new G11 being installed in Australia.
