Exploring New Technology Upgrades for the Marsh Observatory

Exploring New Technology Upgrades for the Marsh Observatory

Engineering

Oliver Smith

Daniel Bayliss & Paul Chote

The Marsh Observatory at the University of Warwick is highly dependent on specific weather conditions to operate effectively, often leading to the postponement of key activities such as outreach events and astrophysics research. Observatories worldwide are unique in their design, geographical location, and operating environments, meaning they often require bespoke solutions to address site-specific challenges. Common issues such as dew formation, cloud cover, and high wind speeds are primary causes of dome closure. Addressing these limitations has the potential to significantly improve observatory uptime and overall performance. Relevant sensors will be installed within the observatory dome to measure ambient temperature and humidity, followed by computational analysis to determine an appropriate feedback response to changing environmental conditions. This data, alongside principles from applied thermodynamics, will inform the design specifications of the dew heater. In parallel, a custom “flat panel” will be prototyped to explore the possibility of capturing essential calibration frames under unfavourable weather conditions. The current use of an air conditioning unit to provide uniform heating across the dome results in significant energy waste and can impede overall telescope image quality. By implementing a more localised heating solution, energy usage can be reduced while minimising thermal disturbances around the optical system. This leads to improved image quality and increased thermal efficiency, both of which enhances observatory performance. This research and development will provide a framework for other institutional observatories to replicate and implement similar upgrades within their own systems, offering a more cost-effective and efficient solution to these observational challenges.

Engineering, Astronomy, Technology, Weather, Environment