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R.B. Culver (CSU/GNAT), E.R. Craine (WRD/GNAT), M.S. Giampapa (NSO), R.A. Tucker (GPObs.), A.L. Kraus (UKans)
Following the successful deployment of the three-telescope Moving Object Transient Event Search System (MOTESS), which is a model prototype of the Global Network of Astronomical Telescopes (GNAT) system, we have begun design of a geographically distributed network of 48 automated, scan-mode telescopes. During the course of the design effort it has become apparent that such a network offers great versatility by virtue of a large number of possible telescope and network configurations. This versatility allows us to modify such parameters as system limiting magnitude, image signal-to-noise ratios, time and frequency of field observation, and field of view, among others. In this paper we consider some of the most interesting system configurations discussed to date, provide a summary of the resultant system parameters and outline the nature of the science which can be most efficiently done with each configuration. We also discuss practical experience gained to date which scales the nature of the effort involved in reconfiguring the network to accommodate various types of observations.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: ercraine@wrc-inc.com
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #4
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.