MOON

The VATT telescope has an Alt/Az mount and uses a 1.8-m f/1.0 honeycombed construction, borosilicate primary mirror developed by the University of Arizona Mirror Lab. Its secondary mirror is a 0.38-m f/0.9 Zerodur manufacted by the Space Optics Research Laboratory ¹⁾.

Both observing time and responsibility for VATT are shared with the University of Arizona on a 75% The Vatican Observatory Research Group VORG, 25% basis. Limited resources prevent VATT from being a visitor observatory, but collaborations are welcomed by VORG, especially when suitable instrumentation is provided for shared use at VATT.²⁾

  Altitude : 3191 meters = 10,469 ft
  Latitude : 32° 42' 04.69" N
  Longitude : 109° 53' 31.25" W
  Optical System : aplanatic Gregorian, f/9
  Focal Length : 16.48 m
  Primary Mirror : f/1.0, Diameter 1.83 meters = 72 inches
  Secondary Mirror : f/0.9, Diameter 0.38 meters = 14.96 inches
  Back Focal Distance : 50.80 mm (effective)
  Vignetting-Free Field : 72 mm diameter (15 arcmin)
  Image Scale : 12.52 arcsec/mm
  Image quality : 0.1 arcsec throughout 6.8 arcmin diameter flat FOV
  Mount : altitude-azimuth with derotator

Read-Me before applying for VATT time
List of Approved Observers
Current Schedule
Past Schedules
Useful Astronomy Links
Weather & Environmental Conditions & Hazards
Dome, Security & Finderscope Cameras
MGIO Radio Call Codes

• Wind-gust limit

• What is New at VATT
• Miscellaneous Tips

• Brief Chronology of VATT Development
• Blanco et al. SPIE 1990
• West et al. SPIE 1997
• A paper on Mt Graham atmosphere
• Optical Diagram
• Specifications
• Instrumentation and Computers
• Filters

• Base Camp and Swift Trail prior to your arrival

• VATT Warm Startup Checklist
• VATT Warm Shutdown Checklist
• VATT Ash Shutdown/Startup Checklist
• VATT Lightning Shutdown Checklist
• VATT Lightning Startup Checklist

• (Re)Booting VATTtel
• Starting NESLAB
• Recovering from a stall
• Recovering from a power glitch

• Remotely operated valve on LN2 dewar
• Collimate and Focus (New Hexapod)
• Instructions for use of the VATT 4K Camera
• CCD Imager Log Sheet
• VATTspec General Instructions
• VATTspec Instructions on Guiding
• Dome Flats (Gabor style)
• LED Dome Flats (Boyle style)
• PHD2 Guiding (Abbreviated)
• Cosmograil/H0LiCOW
• Guider: Temporary fix

• Mirror Cell Thermal Reader
• Secondary Mirror
• Logging System
• Dome, security & finderscope cameras

• How do I retrieve my data from VATT servers

• Fiber Panel Test
• PHD2 Guiding
• Oil chillers

• Collimate VATT (Old)
• VATT Warm Startup Checklist (2011)
• VATT Warm Shutdown Checklist (2011)
• Calibrate
• VATT Instructions (2005)
• VATT Streamlined Warm Startup Checklist
• Remote Observation Checklist
• Warm Startup Checklist for VATT operation during PEPSI runs