I received this via email last night - passing it on the benefit of those in the Southern Hemisphere with remote control observatories who may wish to participate in this proposed exchange program.
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Dear Sirs,
We are CAV, Circolo Astrofili Veronesi, an Amateur Astronomers Association based near to Verona Italy.
We run the OMB, an Observatory located on a mountain near to Verona
Longitude10°51'32"
Latitude 45°41'52"
Elevation 1208 m asl, ~ 3800 ft
IAU Code A99
IMO Code14260
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Main Instruments: Ritchey-Chretien 16' Telescope, manufactured by Marcon, Italy
10Micron GM400 Mount
FingerLake research grade 1024x1024 Imaging Camera, SBIG DSS7 spectrometer, Robofocus, filter wheel (actual 5, prospected 13),etc
Various secondary optics and instruments
Full collection of professional software for workflow control, imaging, data reduction.
The whole package is set for remote control,and is presently remotely operated by some entitled fellows.
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This Observatory is integrated in a Research Program headed by University of Padova, Departement of Astronomy, Coordinator Prof Ulisse Munari, and by INAF, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, with following mission:
monitoring a defined group of Symbiotics (photometry and spectrometry),
monitoring of novae as primary target of opportunity
Besides the observatory follow some NEO obyects as they appear on Neo Confirmation page at Minor Planet Center.
We're also prospecting a search of extragalactic Supernovae.
We are presently looking (in Southern Emisphere) for an Observatory similar to ours as to Hardware/Software equipment, fully equipped for remote control, available for a no charge exchange of scope time, on a parity base. In other words, we give time of our OMB Observatory free of charge in daytime Australia Time, your Observatory gives time free of charge in daytime Europe Time.
Benefits: both Observatories would be able to extend their monitoring schedules virtually to a 24 hours shift, at no additional cost and have access to portion of skyes usually behind the horiziont.
We would give access to the Telescope and Dome server, as well as to the the workflow managment proprietary software; same we would expect from our partner.
Your cooperation and help in this search would be greatly appreciated
We are looking for hearing from you and/or some of your associates, and hope to find a satisfactory way to cooperate.
very truely yours
Fernando Marziali on behalf of OMV, Osservatorio Astronomico Monte Baldo
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Their website is here:
http://lnx.astrofiliveronesi.it/
and you can contact them through their site, or let me know if you'd like their email address.
Cheers