Ever Dream of Taking Pictures Through a Space Telescope? This May Bring the Dream Closer

Global Rent-a-scope, a major provider of astronomical observing resources for members of the RAS Observatory of New Mexico and the general public, announced implementation of global access to a series of astronomical installations in strategic time zones.

In conclusion it is enough to simply say the system is very good and soon you will be able to shoot 24 hours a day all around the world.

The location of these participating installations offer users and observers access to highly sophisticated remote astronomical imaging platforms that possess amazing pointing and tracking accuracy. Outfitted with chilled CCD cameras and special imaging and scientific filters, users are able to conduct research and capture unbelievably detailed images of a variety of deep space objects.

No previous technical experience is required. Real live support is available 24/7.

Here is some information from one of the individuals that use this fantastic service, Rolando Ligustri, Comet Researcher, Italy:

"My love affair with astronomy began in 1973. However it was in 1986 (the return of comet Halley) that I purchased my first serious telescope. It was with this instrument I took various pictures of deep sky objects; some of them were published in 'l'Astronomia' and 'Orione', two Italian astronomy magazines.

"In 1995 I bought my first CCD camera and with the help of two astronomers, G.Cremonese and M.Fulle I followed comet Hale Bopp with narrow band filters over the next year. These narrow band filters were centered about frequencies of 647nm and 627nm. My research was unique in that I was the only one using these specialized filters to make observations. From 1997 I started to follow and study comets on a regular basis, producing a lot of pictures. Many of these images were published on a variety of international websites and in various international magazines (also on Sky and Telescope). A Google search on my name will retrieve about 20.000 citations about astronomy.

"In 2000 I started making photometric measurements producing hundreds of notations published on ICQ and BAA websites. During the same year I started to produce astrometric measurements that were published by the Minor Planet Center. In 2003 I joined the C.A.R.A. project http://cara.uai.it .

"In cooperation with C.A.R.A., we have produced an article that will probably be published next spring in the prestigious magazine ICARUS. My report is regarding comet 9P (Tempel). Moreover I received an honorable mention and big thanks from the NASA people responsible for mission Deep Impact.

"In 1999 I was given the responsibility of the comet section of U.A.I. http://comete.uai.it On our association's website, you can find images of more then 90 comets I captured during this time www.castfvg.it/fotoccd.htm#comete. Some of my personal goals included establishing a baseline for comet 67P. My work in this area was further confirmed by other astronomers.

"As I was a co-discoverer of some NEOCP objects I was also awarded the second place in a contest by ESA. This was in conjunction with taking pictures of the Rosetta spacecraft. This will be an example for my future work. I think I will follow various comets for the C.A.R.A. project and also to follow objects reported on NEOCP.

"For several years I have heard about a very high quality remote telescope system called 'Global-Rent-a-scope'. Some amateur astronomers I know use the system. Personally I was a little afraid to use this system as it sounded maybe too complicated. So after waiting and thinking and waiting but not using it my friend Stefano Padovan, who had just purchased one of the systems and become a partner in Global Rent-a-scope, insisted I try his Areo5 (Epsilon 250 in New Mexico). Wow! I discovered a new world!

"To use the different systems (equipped with state of the art telescopes mostly by Takahashi, Paramount remote telescope mounts and SBIG CCD cameras) is really maybe...too simple. Thanks to dedicated, extremely user-friendly software, within just a few minutes you find yourself directing the telescope system to slew to the subject, center it, focus it (most of the times it is already focused) and you can start shooting. Meanwhile, while the system is automatically carrying out your instructions in the background, you can download your raw files or view a jpg preview so you can adjust the imaging session to suit your specific requirements.

"It is so unbelievable! The efficiency is truly remarkable. In just a few minutes you can do everything. No need to go out, drive a car in the cold winter, let the system cool down, center, shoot, maybe clouds roll in and spoil your session, go back home...this is much easier. Of course is different to be out in the field but sometimes when we need images and here in Europe is often cloudy, this type of an approach really helps.

"Moreover thanks to the kindness of the boss of Global rent a scope, Mr.Arnie Rosner. we can ask anything of him. If we need a different dark or flat frame (that they are already on their ftp server week by week) Arnie will do it for you. Arnie is always on Skype for any advice and suggestion and problem (very few).

"The system is continually expanding and growing bigger and bigger; in fact right now there are 5 different telescopes in New Mexico plus 3 in Australia and a new one coming soon in Israel. After that who knows? Maybe there will be even more to come.

"In conclusion it is enough to simply say the system is very good and soon you will be able to shoot 24 hours a day all around the world."

Rolando Ligustri
C.A.R.A. http://cara.uai.it
CAST: Circolo AStrofili Talmassons