1. Viktor Voropaev, Igor Molotov Roscosmos delegation KIAM RAS
First results of observations with 80-cm telescope at peak Terskol, North Caucasus
Viktor Voropaev, Igor Molotov
Roscosmos delegation
KIAM RAS
IADC 35th Darmstadt, Germany ― WG1
April 24 – 26, 2017

2. Terskol observatory
Peak Terskol Observatory is situated at altitude of 3100 m in North Caucasus on the Elbrus mountainside

3. Map of observatories that send the data to KIAM

4. 80-cm Cassegrain telescope K-800
It was installed in the 70-ies and working about 10 years. Then it was stopped and dismantled (secondary mirror was lost
Telescope was upgraded by setting up the lens corrector for improving and enlarging of FOV and motors with controller for automation of operations

5. Setting up of lens corrector, CCD camera FLI PL09000 (3k x 3k, 12 µm) and Atlas focuser

6. Updated K-800: FOV=55 x 55 minutes

7. Observation statistics (telescope is exploited with expeditions)

8. Histogram of object size
Data from telescope are used to calibrate the space debris population SDPA model
Histogram of GEO SO magnitude in experimental measurements
Histogram of object size
estimations

9. Future update of K-800 telescope
Re-aluminization of the main mirror to improve limiting magnitude
Installation of new 2k x 2k CCD camera FLI PL4301E having 24µm pixels to enlarge FOV
Installation UBVRI filter wheel to start photometry observations
Control system renewal and stepper motors replacement by DC motors with encoders to improve the throughput of telescope
To change CHAOS control software on FORTE to increase stability of operations

10. Conclusion
ISON project is replenished with new respectively large telescope situated at 3100 m altitude in place with good quality of atmosphere
This is very powerful instrument for faint space debris observations
Now this is most large telescope that can spent 100% observation time for the project goals
Limiting magnitude is down to 18.5 now. It is expected that it will be improved down to 19.5 after re-aluminization of the main mirror
Current FOV is 55 x 55 minutes. It is expected that this will be enlarged to 75 x 75 minutes with new CCD camera
Obtained measurements are used to calibrate the space debris population SDPA model