[Aavso-photometry] Possible Bottlenecks for Using a small telescope (12" Meade LX200 ) from Antarctica

[Dr.Mukund Kurtadikar]

Hi ,
  I am presenting a proposal to Govt. of India for installing a small ( 12") telescope at Maitree, Indian Antarctic Station with SSP-3A 2nd Gen Optec Photometer and ST-9 CCD camera of SBIG as back end instruments.
  The Indian station has sufficient  infrastructure to install a telescope at Maitree,including continuous suply of power. I intend to install it in a  small wooden hut ( about 6' x 6' ) with  conventional motorized fiber dome with an shutter ( slit ) having opening of about 0.5m width  x 1.25m height.
   
  The dome opening is a major issue , I guess , for two reasons :
  1. The open slit of dome will not allow to isolate the telescope from exterior atmospheric temperature ( zero C in summer and -25 C in winter ) Of course heaters can be provided in the hut but may be ineffective due to the open slit.
  2. Wind ( 50-60 km/hr to > 100km/hr ) may trouble with the dome slit in open condition.
   
  What type of " transparent protection ( cover )- clear fiber/glass/quartz?" can be given to the slit to isolate the hut thermally from the the exterior atmosphere and to protect from the wind?
  Note: 
  1.There is very little snow/rain fall in Antarctica. The snow drift is there but Maitree being on a Oasis ( rocky land -not covered by ice ) , the snow drift will affect in extremely windy situation.
  2.Duration of night is about 4-5 hours in mid March and totally dark during mid May to mid  August at Maitree; again 4-5 hrs during Sept-Oct., no darkness during Nov-Feb.
   
  Can any other type of roofing be used in above situation?
   
  Anybody anticipating regarding any other bottlenecks? 
   
  Suggestions about any suitable project are welcome.
   
  Support for any spare instrument on loan basis is welcome.
   
  Mukund Kurtadikar


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  Regards,
  Dr.M.L.Kurtadikar 
Reader 
Postgraduate Department of Physics 
Jalna Education Society's 
R.G.B.Arts , S.B.Lakhotia Commerce & R.Bezonji Science College 
Jalna 431 203 
Maharashtra 
India 
Mobile : +91-9822089669

       
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