Enter a USER ID and PASSWORD. Any combination of 6 to 20 alphanumeric characters for each parameter is acceptable. Enter your email address TWICE for verification.

When your images are complete, JPG images and a LINK to our Ftp site will be sent to this address. Make sure you have at least 3 megabytes of free space on your email server to receive the images.

Fill in the Target Data fields to the left. Enter a description for the object you wish to photograph, and the Right Ascension and Declination coordinates. (current epoch).

You can also pick an object to photograph that is currently above the observatory horizon by selecting the "Targets Above the Horizon" tab below, and picking an object from the displayed list. For more information on an object, click the search icon to the left of the object name to start a google search on the selected target.

RCOS 12.5 and FSQ106 scopes image simultaneously. Presets are for setup of RCOS 12.5" (2850mm FL) narrowfield scope. FSQ-106 (530mm FL) imaging time is adjusted to total time of RCOS 12.5. You can make manual adjustments to imaging times after selecting a preset. Total billed imaging time is the longest time for either scope. Click on one of the camera preset buttons under EASY CAMERA SETUP. You can choose from a variaty of exposure configurations. Hold the mouse over a preset button for a complete explaination of the preset. Review the cost calculation after selecting a preset. When you are satisfied with the camera parameters, press the "Purchase Time" button to start the reservation process. The RCOS 12.5 telescope has a monochrome STL6303 CCD attached, with 8 position filter wheel. You can program from 1 to 4 'sets' to construct the type of Astrophotograph you desire (Monochrome, RGB, LRGB, Narrowband, etc..).

1. To change the 'exposure', 'count' or 'rotation', click in the appropriate area and type in a new value
2. To change the 'binning' or 'filter', click in the appropriate area to cycle between available selections.

The "Preset" area facilitates rapid programming of multiple sets with similar parameters. For example, if you wish to program an LRGB image where the camera rotation is at 90 degrees, and the color images will be shot at 120 seconds per frame, bin 2, 5 frames per filter, and the Luminence would be shot at 120 seconds, 10 frames, bin 1, you could:

1. Click on the 'Sequence Type' button until 'LRGB' is selected
2. Enter '120' under the 'Secs' preset
3. Enter '5' under the 'Count' preset
4. Enter '90' under the "Angle' preset
5. Enter '2' under the 'Bin' preset
6. Click on the 'Apply' button
7. Click on the 'Bin' preset for the 'luminence' filter. Continue clicking until '1' is selected
8. Click on the 'Count' preset for the 'luminence' filter. Enter '10'.

The following options are available to you for removing or limiting the effects of moonlight on your image. Note that some of these options may result in a higher 'rate per second' of imaging time. By entering a value in an option, you will be able to view the effect on the rate under the "Purchase Telescope Time" section. To disable an option, enter '0' for the value.

1. Min Zenith Dist: Minimum distance from Zenith ('0' to disable, in 'degrees')
   The 'Zenith' is at 90 degrees, looking straight up. The 'Horizon' is at 0 degrees. The observatory minimum altitude is about 30 degrees. The higher the target is in the sky, the less atmosphere the photons of light must pass through, and the less 'distorted' the image becomes due to atmospheric disturbences.
   If this parameter is set to a value between 30 degrees and 90 degrees, imaging will be suspended while the target is below this value.
2. Min Moon Distance: Minimum Moon Separation ('0' to disable, in 'degrees')
   This value represents the minimum acceptable angular separation from your target to the moon. Imaging of your target will be suspended while the moon distance to your target is lower or equal to this value.
3. Max Moon Altitude: Maximum Moon Altitude ('0' to disable, in 'degrees')
   When set to a value between 30 and 90 degrees, imaging of your target will be suspended while the moon is above this altitude. (set to '1' for imaging with zero interference from the moon.)
4. Max Moon Phase: Maximum Moon Phase ('0' to disable, range:0 to 100)
   Imaging of your target will be suspended while the current Moon Phase is equal to or highger than this value, AND the moon is above the horizon.

Press the "Purchase Time" button to purchase and schedule telescope time. You will be forwarded to the PayPal secure payment site to make your payment. Once payment has been made, the following sequence will take place:

1. Your target sequence will be entered on the observatory 'target list'. You can view this list at the bottom of the 'observatory' page.
2. You will be automatically put ahead of any "operator" scheduled targets. If an operator scheduled target is currently being imaged, it will abort and the next paid user in the target list will have their sequence imaged.
3. You will be sent an email confirming payment, and confirming that your target sequence has been entered in the Target List.
4. You will be sent an email when your target sequence is started. The start of your target sequence is based on users ahead of you in the target list, any optional restrictions you have placed on your target sequence ( for example, "maximum moon altitude" ), and on current weather conditions.
5. When your target sequence is complete, you will be notified via Email. The email will contain two JPG images of your target, one from each scope/camera combination. These images are constructed by the observatory computers, are fully calibrated, registered, stacked, and debloomed. This email will also contain a link to our ftp site, where you can optionally download the raw data and calibration files for complete control of processing on your computer.

Our current setup includes:

• RC Optical Systems 12.5" Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with an SBIG STL6303 CCD camera, rotator, and color filter wheel.
• Takahashi FSQ-106 apochromatic refractor with SBIG STL11000CM color CCD camera. ( mounted on the 12.5 scope )
• Both scopes are attached to a Paramount ME robotic mount.