Paper 13098-36
Paper 13098-36
The intelligent observatory
19 June 2024 • 13:40 - 14:00 Japan Standard Time | Room G316, North - 3F
Abstract
The Intelligent Observatory (IO) is the vision of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) to enhance scientific support for the South African and global astronomical communities. By optimizing services, the IO initiative aims to create a seamless collaboration among diverse local and hosted astronomical facilities situated on the Sutherland Plateau. Achieving this vision necessitates strategic technological enhancements, such as upgrading telescopes for remote observations and automation, alongside a comprehensive redesign of the existing Sutherland operations model. The primary research driver is time-domain and transient science.
Presenter
South African Astronomical Observatory (South Africa), Univ. of Johannesburg (South Africa)
Professor Stephen Potter is the Head of Astronomy at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) of the National Research Foundation. He has a PhD in Astronomy from University College London (1998) and holds a visiting professorship with the University of Johannesburg.
Prof. Potter is the PI of SAAO's Intelligent Observatory programme, which aims to upgrade the telescopes, instruments and data analysis to have them intelligently work together in a coordinated, robotic and automated fashion. The objective is not only to deliver greater efficiency and agility but to enable the exploration of new Science opportunities particularly in the era of multi-messenger and time-domain astronomy.