A touch of science with breakfast

[Aussie Pete]

G'day fellow Icers! :)

Past week has been a busy astro wise for me and GRAS.

The coolest bit of news was the "global 24hr imaging" aspect of
our GRAS network being used by some important clients. In conjunction with some mob called the Space Telescope Science Institute?

Our network of globally spaced telescopes where used for a full orbit of HST in order to monitor the state of a cataclysmic variable star, very near to a simultaneous long exposure HST was taking in the same FOV. We got an official thanks from the Principal Investigator, pats on the back, tickets to the Opera and a box of Swiss chocolates. :) hehe (i wish, i'm not sure when we get paid!)
Pete
G12
__________________
Aussie Pete
MMSAATU & GRAS-012

[jase]

Well done to the GRAS team.

I sense some healthy competition - http://www.nmskies.com/webpage/southernhosting.html

Perhaps its time for you guys to reflect some appealing pricing to accommodate more astro imagers, unless of course the scientific community is the only GRAS audience. Food for thought.

[iceman]

Congrats, Pete! What a thrill for you and the team.

Remote imaging is certainly taking off.

[Aussie Pete]

Thanks Jase.


I didn't really want to put on my GRAS hat on here Jase, i am happy to post news of an aussie connection to an amazing amateur/pro collaboration but..with apologies to Mike and the group...i should answer you mate.

GRAS started life as a heavily science based operation and this is reflected in the standard of operation i hope. But we have always catered for the pure imaging crowd world wide. We are now run by a Aussie crew with our USA HQ dealing with the high level customer support, accounts and PR.

As to pricing? Its not my dept, but online rental costs cover such things as the huge price tags on the equipment (10 different scope combos) our clients demand and the admin/facilities/support needed to run them 24/7. We have a very flexible rate schemes I think. But no...its not for everyone.

And the gear/operations price is hidious Jase. (My G12 setup $70k+) It will
always be better value for a user to RENT a "ready to go" telescope that SUITS the target from a dark site, rather than buying this level of imaging/science combos and possibly using it only occasionally. Well i sure cant afford ten different TAK/RCOS/SBIG's scope combos on PME's for the backyard here in Essendon..geez :)

Mind you..i have offered plenty of well known local folk freeby access to my
scope, and barely get a reply most of the time. Its just not for everyone.

As to growing numbers of large, OS based Semi-Pro remote units under our skies here in the South? Good mates of ours :) We have all our Nth American scopes located at their US operation. We rent a shed full at New Mexico Skies :) Top operators and 100% reliable service for your remote telescope.

So then GRAS specializes in renting such serviced telescopes to individual amateur astronomers on an hourly basis from dark sky operators or from our own facilities like Moorook.

Pierhosting differs from a service like GRAS. You need to pay pier rental and supply your own hardware. The lucky few can expect to pay around $1700+ per month :| Per Pier. Clear or Cloud.

So I personally think the more ace scopes in oz the better Jase :) Plenty of glorious aussie stars up there and plenty of converts to be made :) Rock on..

Thanks mods..Mike. I'll fade back to lurk mode now :)

Pete
GRAS-012

PS. Actually, there is a free 'Fast Science' account for the MMS group..and im very happy to extend it here to 'serious' Icers too :) If your an 'amateur scientist' and want some free fast access time on a northern GRAS scope...just let me know... ;) An ICEScience account for the group Mike? Our shout?

[jase]

Thanks for the response Pete. No need to lurk around here. All input provides an increase in awareness. A plug here and there never hurts – we’re on the internet, it fair game. Yes, I understand the origination of GRAS - http://www.remote-astronomical-society.org/index.html and been in contact with Arnie regarding pricing options for imagers. I feel sure there is a better way to target imagers that will benefit both parties. I don’t have an all-encompassing solution, but suggestions which I’ve voiced.

I totally agree with you regarding running costs. Capex equipment costs is another matter. You’re running a business here – you write the equipment off on tax and depreciate it. It is possible to recoup the costs so I only think its fair for an improved pricing structure to accommodate the imager. Sure, probably 80% of GRAS usage is with scientific usage. Universities and the like buy a large volume of time and in turn also write off the purchase in tax. For the humble astro imager, what chance has he got at producing pretty pictures when 100% is coming from his/her own pocket?

The shear cost of producing a pretty picture is quite scary; thankfully the aussie dollar makes it appealing. What I find amusing is that the typical scientific research project is likely to use short exposure times, but at regular intervals i.e every night for a month to measure a variable star or photometric study etc. The cost factor for such work is relatively low – does not consume a lot of time. In contrast the astro imager wants to go deep. 10, 15 or 20 minute sub exposures accumulating hours of data, hence the end cost is significant.

If GRAS wants to increase its audience to accommodate more imagers, it needs to provide some more value add. Perhaps you’re onto something with the fast science accounts. Something for imagers next? Please don’t take the above the wrong way. I’m not having a shot at you. Just thought I’d share my perspective as an active GRAS imager.

EDIT: Sorry I have detracted from the original thread. Happy to discuss further offline.

Cheers

[Aussie Pete]

Hey no problemo Jase,

You had valid points and deserved a reply to them :) I also thought it important to clarify the diff between GRAS and the fine Pingelly Skies operation.

We do have some new ideas in the pipe line. Very soon we will have value packages that should suit us remote deep imagers a bit more :)

Thanks guys..

Pete