Joseph Ward Moody

Remote Observatory for Variable Object Research (ROVOR)

Observatories constructed solely for photometric monitoring make it possible to understand the temporal nature of objects over time scales that historically have been difficult to achieve. We report on one such observatory, the Remote Observatory for Variable Object Research (ROVOR) which was constructed to enable both long-term and rapid cadence observations of brighter objects. ROVOR is an 0.4m optical telescope located in central Utah and commissioned for scientific observations in 2008. Principle research has been monitoring blazars, x-ray binaries, AGN, and an occasional gamma-ray burst afterglow. We describe the observatory, the control system, and its unique roof.

GoldHelox solar x-ray telescope testing progress report

The GoldHelox Solar X-ray Telescope underwent several tests during the years of 1997 - 1999, and continues through the testing phase of the project. The instrument itself, a solar telescope to ride on board the Space Shuttle, is designed to photograph the sun in soft x-ray wavelengths between 171 angstroms to 181 angstroms. Critical to its success, many tests are required to insure safety, robustness, and overall accuracy of the telescope during its mission. Among these are shake table tests, optical tests, vacuum integrity, and thermal analysis. This paper describes the GoldHelox project including its current status as a mission, the tests performed on the instrument to date, and the tests pending.