Advancing modern astrophysics research
Designed to take extremely faint images of astronomical objects in the Southern sky, the Huntsman Telescope is made up from an array of Canon telephoto lenses inspired by the innovative Dragonfly Telephoto Array.
This cutting-edge telescope is at the forefront of modern astrophysics research and will help to answer questions surrounding:
- galaxy formation and evolution
- new astronomical technology approaches, including daytime observing
- the prevalence of long-period exoplanets around TESS stellar systems.
Currently, the Huntsman team is fine-tuning the fully automated observing mode, where the telescope will open itself each night (if the skies are clear), select the best target, and start collecting data. The automated telescope operations use open source code based upon the PANOPTES Observatory Control System.
Located at the Siding Spring Observatory – seven hours from Sydney – the Huntsman telescope sits approximately 1,165 metres above sea level on Mount Woorat in Warrumbungle National Park. The surrounding communities helping astronomers see their faint targets by minimising the use of street lamps at night to reduce light pollution.