S. A. Potanin

Combined MASS–DIMM instruments for atmospheric turbulence studies

Several site-testing programs and observatories currently use combined MASS-DIMM instruments for monitoring parameters of optical turbulence. The instrument is described here. After a short recall of the measured quantities and operational principles, the optics and elec- tronics of MASS-DIMM, interfacing to telescopes and detectors, and operation are covered in some detail. Particular attention is given to the correct measurement and control of instru- mental parameters to ensure valid and well-calibrated data, to the data quality and filtering. Examples of MASS-DIMM data are given, followed by the list of present and future applica- tions.

MASTER: The Mobile Astronomical System of Telescope-Robots.

We present the first russian robot-telescope designed to mak e prompt observations of gamma-ray bursts (http://observ.pereplet.ru). The telescopes are near Mos cow. The system of telescopes with prompt pointing rates connects to the internet. The main parameters are the following: Richter-Slefogt system telescope (355 mm, f/d=2.4); Richter-Slefogt system telescope (200mm, f/d=2.4); Flugge system telescope (280mm, f/d=2.5); TV-camera with 20x40 degree objective; Two CCD cameras (Pictor 416); One CCD Apogee Camera AP16E. Th e type of mount is German with 8 grad/sec slew rate. MASTER images stars down to 19 magnitude in a 1 min exposure covering 6 square degrees.

First results of site testing program at Mt. Shatdzhatmaz in 2007 - 2009

We present the first results of the site testing performed at Mt.~Shatdzhatmaz at Northern Caucasus, where the new Sternberg astronomical institute 2.5-m telescope will be installed. An automatic site monitor instrumentation and functionality are described together with the methods of measurement of the basic astroclimate and weather parameters. The clear night sky time derived on the basis of 2006 -- 2009 data amounts to 1340 hours per year. Principle attention is given to the measurement of the optical turbulence altitude distribution which is the most important characteristic affecting optical telescopes performance. For the period from November 2007 to October 2009 more than 85\,000 turbulence profiles were collected using the combined MASS/DIMM instrument. The statistical properties of turbulent atmosphere above the summit are derived and the median values for seeing

Seeing and atmospheric extinction at Mt. Maidanak observatory from observations with the 1.5-m AZT-22 telescope

\beta_0 = 0.93

First results of a site-testing programme at Mount Shatdzhatmaz during 2007–2009

~arcsec and free-atmosphere seeing

Acousto-optical imaging spectropolarimetric devices: new opportunities and developments

\beta_{free} = 0.51

Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor for Testing the Quality of the Optics of the 2.5-m SAI Telescope

~arcsec are determined. Together with the estimations of isoplanatic angle

Compact acousto-optic imaging spectro-polarimeter for mineralogical investigations in the near infrared

\theta_0 = 2.07

Meteorological conditions at the Caucasus Observatory of the SAI MSU from the results of the 2007–2015 campaign

~arcsec and time constant

Automatic guide for the raduga astronomical spectrograph

\tau_0 = 2.58 \mbox{ ms}