A simulation for Radio Telescope Training

When the radio télescope du Parc de La Villette rehabilitation is completed it will be possible to perform a remote control via Internet connexions. Using an astronomy software like « Stellarium » or « Skychart » it will be possible to connect the radio-telescope and choose a specific « radio source » then click on GoTo to ask the antenna to move toward the specified target and to perform a follow up while the Earth is slowly rotating. Then it will be possible to record the signal from the radio source in order to perform scientific observations.

For the present time, while the antenna motorization is being repaired, it is still possible to play with the telescope. By using a dummy telescope software, antenna movements are achieved by simulating telescope response to astronomy applications. The server transmits target coordinates to the software driver who computes necessary motors activation. The driver receives in turn the antenna position information from the simulator software as if the radio-telescope was actually moving. This information is sent back to the client astronomy software that displays telescope movement as if the antenna was actually moving.

Here is how to perform training with radiotelescope. Download and install Skychart astronomy software (4.3 beta version works well for this simulation). Select a folder newer than older than 2019-12-16 and choose the version according to your specific Operating System (Windows 32 or 64 bits, Linux, Mac OS). On menu bar click on « Télescope » and « Paramètres du Télescope« . Click on menu « Setup » and in General menu select english language. Then select menu Setup and Observatory. In « Name » enter « La Villette« . Select it in « Favorite« . Enter latitude 48 degrés, 53 minutes, 38 secondes, N; longitude 02 degrés, 23 minutes, 18.3 secondes, E. Click on Country timezone then select « France » in the list. Click on « Apply » then « OK« . On main menu click on « Telescope« , validate « INDI driver » and click on « Use the internal INDI gui panel« . On main menu click on « Telescope« , « Connect telescope« . In INDI server host enter the Internet telescope address www1.f4klo.ampr.org. The server port is 7624 by default. Click on « Load INDI configuration » and on « Get« . In the window on line « Telescope name » should appear : « Radiotelescope – La Villette ». Click on « Connect ».

Alt/Azimutal coordinate sky chart

The red square should turn yellow then green. In the same window click on INDI gui. A new window will open. Arrange and widen the windows down. On the sky map menu click on « Telescope » , « Track telescope ». Now you may select a « source » target by click twice on an object and then click in menu « Telescope » on « Slew« . The telescope may refuse to move if the source is out of view. By clicking on numbers in the right or using the mouse wheel it is possible to zoom. Once the antenna reached the target, the telescope switch to tracking mode. A demonstration of all commands explained previously may be visualized on this video : http://f6bvp.free.fr/VP/Film1.mp4

Despite the radiotelescope antenna is immobilized toward zenith, signals form Milky Way are received on a daily basis. By configuring Date and Time according to your computer and selecting « Use system time and Auto refresh every« , then you can let the chart move fast from menu and see the time when the Milky Way will cross the radio-telescope bean toward zenith on equatorial chart view twice a day.

Sky Chart (Azimutal coordinates)

Let us know your remarks and observations. Wishing you a happy training with radio-telescope F4KLO simulation !