University of Louisville Telescope

This half-metre CDK20 telescope made by PlaneWave Instruments is equipped with a large format SBIG STL6303E CCD camera and is installed in a Sirius dome . All components can be remotely controlled over the internet.

It was installed at Mt Kent in 2006 as part of a University of Louisville educational project funded by NASA, in which USQ is a partner. A twin has been installed at the Moore Observatory in Louisville, and will allow Toowoomba astronomers to study the northern night sky during the Australian day.

During their school day, Louisville school children visiting the Gheen's Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium in Louisville are able to remotely drive the telescope, explore the southern night sky, and interact via a quality video link with Australian astronomers. University of Louisville students can also use the facility for teaching and research projects.

University of Queensland astronomers are currently using the instrument for photometry. Measurements of the small periodic variations in the light from certain stars are used with high accuracy spectral data from the 3.9 metre AAO telescope further south to search for extra-solar planets and study magnetic activity on distant stars (described here ).

Instruments Specs     User's Manual (Draft)     Xephem Manual     Exterior Camera     Interior Camera     STV display    

The 3.6m diameter Page Dome made by Sirius	The half metre CDK20 telescope with its designer Joe	Sunset behind the Page dome.

For further information about Mt Kent Observatory please email astronomy@usq.edu.au.