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Department of Astronomy
RoboScope

Images are located at the bottom of this page.

RoboScope is a 16-inch automated telescope located 16 miles north of campus at the Morgan-Monroe Station of the Goethe Link Observatories.   It is devoted to long-term monitoring of cataclysmic variable stars and related objects, typically obtaining one or two 4-min exposures each clear night for about 100 objects per night.  The original manual Boller and Chivens telescope was automated in 1989 and has operated autonomously since 1990.

  • Latitude: +39 18 49 
  • Longitude: -86 26.4
  • Elevation: 245 m
  • Aperture: 41 cm
  • Optical Configuration: f/13.7 Cassegrain
  • Plate Scale: 41"/mm
  • Detector: Liquid nitrogen cooled, thinned CCD, 512x512 pixels, each pixel 24 microns.
  • Filters: U,B,V,R,I
  • Field of View: Approx 7 arc min with the current CCD. Open loop setting accuracy: 15" rms.
  • Typical exposure time: 240 sec, open loop tracking.
  • Typical mag limit: V = 18 on a moonless night

        All functions are performed in an unattended and unsupervised fashion, including:

  • Open-up and Close-down decisions, based on a Polaris transparency monitor and rain detector
  • Choosing the next object, based on location in sky and when last observed
  • Telescope motion and dome control
  • Filter selection and telescope focus
  • Obtaining and applying flat-field detector calibrations 
  • Finding and measuring all the stars in each image
  • Identifying the program star and performing ensemble photometry
  • Updating the light curves

RoboScope list of publications:

  • 2004 "Characteristics of High-state/Low-State Transitions in VY Scl Stars", Honeycutt, R.K. and Kafka, S., to appear in AJ

  • 2003 "Spectroscopic Study of Q Cygni: Surprises from an Old Nova}", Kafka, S. Tappert, C., Honeycutt, R.K. and Bianchini, A., AJ, 126, 1472

  • 2003 "The Puzzling Optical Light Curve of the Polar QQ Vulpeculae}", Kafka, S. and Honeycutt, R.K., AJ, 125, 2188

  • 2003 "Examples of long-term RoboScope light curves", Honeycutt, R.K., Turner, G.W. and Adams, B.R., ASP Conf. Ser. 292: Interplay of Periodic, Cyclic and Stochastic Variability in Selected Areas of the H-R Diagram, p. 329

  • 2003 "QQ Vul: variable features in the orbital light curve", Kafka, S. and Honeycutt, R.K., ASP Conf. Ser. 292: Interplay of Periodic, Cyclic and Stochastic Variability in Selected Areas of the H-R Diagram}, p. 319

  • 2003 "VY Scl transitions in nova-like cataclysmic variables", Honeycutt, R.K. and Kafka, S., ASP Conf. Ser. 292: Interplay of Periodic, Cyclic and StochasticVariability in Selected Areas of the H-R Diagram, p. 279 year = 2003, p. 279

  • 2002 "The Classification and Orbital Period of WD 2154+408: A Short Period Post Common Envelope Binary", T.C. Hillwig, A.A. Gale, R.K. Honeycutt, A.W. Rengstorf, 2002, PASP, 114, 756.

  • 2001 "Photometry of the Nova-like Variable LQ Peg", P.C. Schmidke, G.A. Ciudin, U.R. Idlekofer, D.R. Johnson, R.E. Fried, R.K. Honeycutt, in Physics of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects, ASP Conf Series Vol. 30, ed. B.T. Gansicke, K. Beuermann, K. Reinsch, p.539

  • 2001 "Similarities Between Stunted Outbursts in Nova-like Cataclysmic Variables and Outbursts in Ordinary Dwarf Novae", R.K. Honeycutt, PASP, 113, 473

  • 2000 " Post Common Envelope Binary Stars and the Pre-cataclysmic Binary PG 1114+187", T.C. Hillwig, R.K. Honeycutt, and J.W. Robertson, Astron. Jour., Vol. 120, pp. 1113-1119.

  • 2000 "Outburst Characteristics in the Dwarf Nova SU Ursae Majoris," P. Rosenzweig, J.A. Mattei, S. Kafka, G.W. Turner, R.K. Honeycutt, Publ. Astro. Soc. Pacific, Vol 112, pp. 632-641.

  • 2000 "Radio and Optical Monitoring of 3C 66A During an Extended Outburst. II. 1995-97", L. Takalo et al., Blazar Data, Vol. 1, No. 6.

  • 2000 " Long-Term Optical and X-Ray Observations of the Old Novae DI Lacertae and V841 Ophiuchi", D.W. Hoard, P. Szkody, R.K. Honeycutt, J. Robertson, V. Desai, T. Hillwig, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, Vol 112, pp. 1595-1606.

  • 2000 "The RXTE, ROSAT, IUE, EUVE, Optical Campaign Covering the 45-Day Supercycle of V1159 Orionis", P. Szkody, K. Honeycutt, J. Robertson, A. Silker, D.W. Hoard, L. Pastwick, I. Hubeny, J. Cannizzo, W. Liller, R. Zissel, G. Walker, C. la Dous, J. Drew, in Variable Stars: New Frontiers, ASP Conf. Series.

  • 2000 "Intensive Monitoring of OJ 287", Puresimo, T. et al., Astron. and Astrophys., Vol. 146, pp. 141-155.

  • 2000 "Photometric Oscillations at about Two-hundred Days in the Symbiotic Variable PU Vulpeculae" T.S. Yoon and R.K. Honeycutt, Publ. Astro. Soc. Pacific, 112, 335-342.

  • 1999 "The 65-Day Period in 3C 66A during the Bright State", M. Lainela et al., Astrophys. Jour., Vol. 521, 561.

  • 1999 "RXTE, ROSAT, EUVE, IUE, and Optical Observations Through the 45-Day Supercycle of V1159 Orionis", P. Szkody, A. Linnel, K. Honeycutt,  J. Robertson, A. Silber, D.W. Hoard, L. Pastwick, V. Desal, I. Hubeny, J. Cannizzo, W. Liller, R. Zissel, and G. Walker, Astrophys. Jour., 521, 362.

  • 1999 "Accretion in the High-Field Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable AR Ursae Majoris", G.D. Schmidt, D.W. Hoard, P. Szkody, F. Melia, R.K. Honeycutt, and R.M. Wagner, Astrophys. Jour., 525, 407.

  • 1999 "Radio and Optical Monitoring of 3C 66A during an Extended Outburst", L.O. Takalo, et al. Blazar Data, 1, 6.

  • 1998 "Multiyear Photometry and Orbital Spectroscopy of the New VY Scl Star PG 1000+667", T. Hillwig, J.W. Robertson, & R.K. Honeycutt, in Wild Stars in the Old West, ed. S. Howell, E. Luulkers, & C. Woodward (ASP: San Francisco), 428.

  • 1998 "Spectroscopic and Photometric Analysis of the Nova-like Cataclysmic Variable PG 1000+667: A New VY Sculptoris Star", T. Hillwig, J.W. Robertson, & R.K. Honeycutt, Astron. Jour., 115, 2044.

  • 1998 "Unusual "Stunted" Outbursts in Old Novae and Nova-like Cataclysmic Variables", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, & G.W. Turner, Astrophys. Jour., 115, 2527.

  • 1998 "V446 Herculis (Nova Her 1960) is an Optical Triple: Implications for the Resumption of Dwarf Nova Outbursts Following the Nova", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, & A.A. Henden, Astrophys. Jour., 495, 933.

  • 1998 "Three Tests of the M-dot Dependence of the AD Limit Cycle, using Long-term CV Photometry", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, & J.A. Mattei, in Wild Stars in the Old West, ed. S. Howell, E. Luulkers, & C. Woodward (ASP: San Francisco), 517.

  • 1998 "Are Z Camelopardalis-Type Dwarf Novae Brighter at Standstill?", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, & J.A. Mattei, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 110, 676.

  • 1998 "Medium-resolution Echelle Spectrograph Design", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, & J.R. Pier, Proc. Soc. Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Vol. 3355, p. 696.

  • 1998 "Multi-year Photometry and a Spectroscopic Period Search for the VY Scl-Type Cataclysmic Variable V794 Aql", R.K. Honeycutt & J.W. Robertson, Astron. Jour., 116, 1961.

  • 1998 "Novel Kinematic Equatorial Primary Mirror Mount", R.E. Parks & R.K. Honeycutt, Proc. Soc. Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Vol. 3355.

  • 1998 "The RXTE, ROSAT, IUE, EUVE, Optical Campaign Covering the 45 Day Supercycle of V1159 Ori", Szkody, P. plus 12 authors, in Proc 1997 European Meeting of AAVSO.

  • 1998 "A Photometric and Spectroscopic Study of the Cataclysmic Variable SX LMi (CBS 31) in Quiescence and Superoutburst", R.M. Wagner, J.R. Thorstensen, R.K. Honeycutt, S.B. Howell, R.H. Kaitchuck, T.J. Kreidl, J.W. Robertson, E.M. Sion, & S.G. Starrfield, Astron. Jour., 115, 787.

  • 1997 "High-State/Low-State Behavior in the Long-Term Light Curve of V  Sagittae", J.W. Robertson, R.K. Honeycutt, J.R. Pier, Astron. Jour., 113, 787.

  • 1996 "The Orbital Period of BK Lyncis (PG 0917+342)", F.A. Ringwald, J.R. Thorstensen, R.K. Honeycutt, & J.W. Robertson, Monthly Notices Royal Astron. Soc., 278, p. 125.

  • 1996 "Confirmation of the 12-year Optical Outburst Cycle in Blazar OJ287", The OJ287 Team, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 305, L17.

  • 1996 "Monitoring of 3C 66A During an Extended Outburst", L. Takalo et  al., Astron. & Astrophys., Vol. 120, p. 313.

  • 1996 "High-state/Low-state photometric Behavior in the Quiescent Level of the Cataclysmic Variable HT Cassiopeia", J.W. Robertson & R. K. Honeycutt, Astron. Jour., 112, 2248.

  • 1996 "Double-peak Structure in the Cyclic Optical Outbursts of Blazar OJ287", The OJ287 Team, Astron. & Astrophys., 315, L13.

  • 1996 "The Orbital Period and Variability of the Dwarf Nova WW Ceti", F.A. Ringwald, J.R. Thorstensen, R.K. Honeycutt, R.C. Smith, Astron. Jour., 111, 2077.

  • 1996 "IUE and optical spectra of RZ LMi and ER UMa throughout their 19 and 43 day cycles", Szkody, P., Silber, A., Honeycutt, R.K. et al. ASSL Vol. 208: IAU Colloq. 158: Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects}, p. 55

  • 1995 "Periodic Outbursts in The Old Nova V446 Herculis", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, Astrophys. Jour., 446, 838.

  • 1995 "KR Aurigae", R.K. Honeycutt and J.W. Robertson, IAU Circ. No. 6132, 1995.

  • 1995 "CI Agl: A New Short-Period Eclipsing Binary", R.E. Mannickent and R.K. Honeycutt, Int. Bull. Var. Stars No. 4232, 1995.

  • 1995 "Periodic and Near-Periodic Decaday Light Curves in Old Nova and Nova-Like CV's", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, Proc. of Padova-Abano Conf. on Catalysmic Variables: Interclass Relationships.

  • 1995 "RZ LMi, PG0943+21, and V1159 Orionis: Three Cataclysmic Variables with Similar and Unusual Periodic Outburst Behavior", J.W. Robertson, R.K. Honeycutt, G.W. Turner, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 107, 443.

  • 1995 "Three Years of OJ287 Photometry", G.W. Turner, R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, in Proc. Orilanpi Conf. on the 1993-94 0J287 Campaign, L. Takalo ed (Helsinski, Tuorla Obs.), p.69.

  • 1995 "The Optical, Infrared and Radio Lightcurves of OJ287 During Winter 1993-94", M. Kidger et al., in Proc. 1994 Orilanpi Conf. on the 1993-94 OJ287 Campaign, L. Takalo ed (Helsinki, Tuorla Obs), p.106.

  • 1995 "The Light Curve of 3C66A", T. Pursimo et al., in Proc. 1994 Orilanpi Conf. on the 1993-94 OJ287 Campaign, L. Takalo ed. (Helsinski, Tuorla Obs.), p.12.

  • 1995 "The Light Curve of OJ287", A. Sillanpaa et al., in Proc. 1994 Orilanpi Conf. on the 1993-94 OJ287 Campaign, L. Takalo, ed (Helsinksi, Tuorla Obs.), p.7.

  • 1994 "The High-State/Low-State Transitions in V794 Aquilae", R.K. Honeycutt, J.K. Cannizzo and J.W. Robertson, Astrophys. Jour., 425, 835.

  • 1994 "Spectroscopy and Photometry of the Dwarf Nova BZ UMa and the CV Line Width/K, Mass-Ratio Relation", J.S. Jurcevic, R.K. Honeycutt and R. Webbink, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 106, 481.

  • 1994 "Devices for Observatory Automation", R.K. Honeycutt, B.R. Adams, D.J. Swearingen, W.R. Kopp, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 106, 670.

  • 1994 "Automated Long-Term Photometry of Cataclysmic Variables" R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, D.N. Vesper, in Interacting Binary Stars, A.W. Shafter, ed. (San Francisco, ASP), p. 277.

  • 1994 "The Unusual Long-Term Repetitive Light Curve of RZ LMi", J.W. Robertson, R.K. Honeycutt and G.W. Turner, in Interacting Binary Stars, A.W. Shafter, ed. (San Francisco, ASP), p. 298.

  • 1994 "An Integrated Program for Automated CCD Photometry and Spectroscopy", R.K. Honeycutt, in Optical Astronomy from the Earth and the Moon, D.M. Pyper and P.J. Angione eds. (San Francisco, ASP), p. 103.

  • 1993 "Automated Stellar Photometry", R.K. Honeycutt, in New Frontiers in Binary Star Research (ed. K.C. Leung), p. 45.

  • 1993 "Architecture of the Software for the Indiana CCD Automated Telescope", R.K. Honeycutt and G.W. Turner, Robotic Telescopes in the 1990's (ed. A. Filippenko), p. 45.

  • 1993 "Unattended H-Alpha Spectroscopy of P Cygni and Beta Lyrae", R.K. Honeycutt, G.W. Turner, D.N. Vesper, J.W. Robertson, J.C. White, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 105, 426.

  • 1993 "Full-Orbit H-alpha Emission in RW Tauri", D.N. Vesper, R.K. Honeycutt, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 105, 731.

  • 1993 "The Unusual 1992 Outburst of V630 Cassiopeia", R.K. Honeycutt,  J.W. Robertson, G.W. Turner, D.N. Vesper, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 105, 919.

  • 1993 "The Long-Term Lightcurve of the Cataclysmic Variable DW UMa", R.K. Honeycutt, M. Livio, J.W. Robertson, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 105, 922.

  • 1992 "Carbon Depletion in Case B Mass Transfer Algol-Type Binaries", T.S. Yoon and R.K. Honeycutt, in Evolutionary Processes in Interacting Binary Stars (ed. Y. Kondo), p. 355.

  • 1992 "CCD Ensemble Photometry on an Inhomogeneous Set of Exposures", R.K. Honeycutt, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 104, 435.

  • 1992 "MR Persei: A New Rotating, Spotted Flare Star", R.K. Honeycutt, G.W. Turner, D.N. Vesper, E.M. Schlegel, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific, 104, 1039.

  • 1992 "A Probable RV Tauri Star Near HR Del", R.K. Honeycutt, J.W. Robertson, D.N. Vesper, B.D. Kern, G.W. Turner, Int. Bull. Var. Stars, No. 3795, Oct. 1992.

  • 1991 "A System for Unattended CCD Stellar Photometry", R.K. Honeycutt, D.N. Vesper, J.C. White, C.W. Turner, and B.R. Adams, in CCDs in Astronomy: New Methods and Applications of CCD Technology (A.G.D. Phillip, D.S. Hayes, S.J. Adelman, eds.), p. 177.

  • 1989 "The Indiana University CCD-APT System", K. Honeycutt, B. Adams, R. Grabhorn, G. Turner, J. White, and D. Vesper, Remote Access Automatic Telescope (ed. D.S. Hayes and R.M. Genet), p. 105.

     
RoboScope Telescope CAPTION: RoboScope is a 41-cm (16-inch) automated telescope in central Indiana that is equipped for long-term monitoring of changes in the accretion in cataclysmic variable stars.
Cataclysmic Variable CAPTION: This artist's rendition of a cataclysmic variable star shows the doner star transferring material through an accretion disk to a white dwarf star. Puzzling stunted outbursts from such systems were discovered by RoboScope.
UU Aquarius CAPTION: This long-term light curve of the nova-like cataclysmic variable UU Aqr shows long slow changes in the mean brightness, occasional 2 magnitude dips due to eclipses, and 0.6 magnitude "stunted" outbursts.  An expanded view of some the stunted outbursts are shown in an accompanying plot.
UUAqr, 3 stunted outbursts CAPTION: RoboScope has this a similar sequences of stunted outbursts in nova-like cataclysmic variable stars.This system, known as UU Aquarius, had a series of three stunted outbursts over a four month interval in late 1994.
ER UrsaeMajoris CAPTION: This long-term light curve of the SU UMa-type dwarf nova ER UMa shows many superoutburst cycles, each lasting about 43 days.  An expanded view of a series of these cycles is shown in an accompanying plot.
ER UMa 3 supercycles CAPTION: This expanded view of a 1994 portion of the long-term light curve of the SU UMa-type cataclysmic varaible ER UMa show three successive supercycles.  The system alternates between a sustained superoutbursts and series of faster dwarf nova outbursts each lasting about 4 days.  ER UMa is seen to execute this same pattern in an unusually stable fashion for many years.

 


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Last updated: 21 November 2005
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