What makes an automated telescope robotic?

Abstract

Abstract Robotic telescopes are more and more commonly used in today's astronomical research. To optimize the scientific return the automation must not stop at a level, where a single observation can be performed by the robot. In fact it is necessary that target selection reflects the scientific needs of the different science programs, involving long‐term planing as well as shorttime optimization. In this paper, the approach pursued to solve this scheduling problem at the STELLA robotic observatory is reported. Hints for adopting the software package on other robotic facilities are outlined. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)