Autonomous software infrastructure for the 1140 unit massively distributed MOTHRA observatory

Abstract

We describe the autonomous observing software powering MOTHRA, a distributed aperture array of 1140 high end telephoto lenses equipped with tiltable ultra-narrow interference filters, CMOS cameras, and Raspberry Pi computers. When completed, the system will be optically-equivalent to a 4.8m f/0.08 refractor with an eight square degree field of view, operating as an R=800 integral field unit. Here we present the software and network architecture that drives the array’s autonomous operations, including the scheduling of observing activities and the monitoring of weather conditions and hardware health. We also discuss modeling techniques used to improve observing efficiency, including ensemble level focus modeling, which allows the array to conduct observations without requiring time-consuming focus runs, and live image stabilization driven open-loop focus and flexure compensation during exposures. Finally, we describe the interconnected set of servers that enable real-time monitoring of observational performance.