The Whole Earth Telescope: A New Astronomical Instrument
Abstract
A new multimirror ground-based telescope for time-series photometry of rapid variable stars, designed to minimize or eliminate gaps in the brightness record caused by the rotation of the earth, is described. A sequence of existing telescopes distributed in longitude, coordinated from a single control center, is used to measure designated target stars so long as they are in darkness. Data are returned by electronic mail to the control center, where they are analyzed in real time. This instrument is the first to provide data of continuity and quality that permit true high-resolution power spectroscopy of pulsating white dwarf stars.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1086/169196
- Bibcode:
- 1990ApJ...361..309N
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Mirrors;
- Telescopes;
- Variable Stars;
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Data Processing;
- Electronic Mail;
- Real Time Operation;
- Reference Stars;
- Time Series Analysis;
- Astronomy;
- INSTRUMENTS;
- STARS: PULSATION;
- STARS: VARIABLES;
- STARS: WHITE DWARFS