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Session 72 -- High Z Line Measurements; Gravitational Microlensing: Distance Determination

Display presentation, Friday, January 14, 9:30-6:45, Salons I/II Room (Crystal Gateway)

[72.05] The MACHO Project I: A High Throughput Photometry System Using A Dedicated Telescope and a Wide Field Dual Color Camera.

In order to carry out a search for gravitational microlensing from compact objects in the Galactic halo, we have developed a high throughput imaging system that uses a dedicated telescope and dual wide-field CCD cameras. The apparatus takes simultaneous images in two optical passbands over 0.5 square degrees. The telescope, cameras, and analysis tasks are controlled by a robust multiprocess controller that requires minimal operator intervention. We have been acquiring images (12,000 as of September 1993) of the LMC, SMC and Galactic bulge since mid-1992. The two camera focal planes each contain a 2X2 mosaic of 2048 X 2048 pixel Loral CCDs. The optical passbands are `red' (6300-7600A) and `blue' (4500-6300A). The cameras are mounted at the prime focus of the recently refurbished 1.3 m telescope at Mt. Stromlo. We present an overview of the MACHO data acquisition system, with an emphasis on recent upgrades and system performance data.

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