The Robo-AO software: Fully autonomous operation of a laser guide star adaptive optics and science system

摘要

Robo-AO is the first astronomical laser guide star adaptive optics (AO)system designed to operate completely independent of human supervision. Asingle computer commands the AO system, the laser guide star, visible andnear-infrared science cameras (which double as tip-tip sensors), the telescope,and other instrument functions. Autonomous startup and shutdown sequences aswell as concatenated visible observations were demonstrated in late 2011. Thefully robotic software is currently operating during a month long demonstrationof Robo-AO at the Palomar Observatory 60-inch telescope.