CCD Photometry at Wellesley College (Abstract)

Volume 21 number 1 (1992)

Priscilla J. Benson

Wellesley College, Whitin Observatory, Wellesley, MA

Abstract

(Abstract only) In October 1991, the Sawyer telescope, a 24-inch Boller and Chivens reflecting telescope at Wellesley College, was retrofitted by DFM Corporation with a new drive system and automatic dome control. All functions can be operated from a warm room, including focusing the telescope. We have also equipped the telescope with an automated filter wheel and a Photometrics Nubus 200 CCD camera operated by a Macintosh II. We use twilight sky flats and do BVRI differential photometry on variable stars, recent supernovae, Pluto, and asteroids. The telescope is used most clear nights by a team of undergraduate observers and members of our observing class. Images are written to disk in "fits" format and copied to a Decstation 5000 for processing in IRAF.