Robotic Telescope - Getting Started

With this service, you can request that the observatory take astronomical images for you using a "chat bot" interface. You can "chat" with the observatory using Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Cell Phone Text Messaging, or Email! We also offer a dedicated Communicator App for Windows, MacOS, and Android.

In order to use the service:

Create an observer account following the instructions below. At that point you can interact with the observatory and request images.

Before observations are taken by the telescope, your account is reviewed by a human. After this step is complete, you will be notified and your images will be taken.

IMPORTANT NOTES: The Email interface is restricted to students taking SMU astronomy courses and those previously approved by the Observatory Director. Please do not request authorization by email unless you are in one of these two groups. Use one of the other communication methods.

Please do not request authorization by email unless you are in one of these two groups. Use one of the other communication methods. Do not request access from more than one communication method (eg. Email and Twitter). Only one interface is allowed for each person - duplicate accounts will be deleted!

To Create an Observer Account

Pick a preferred communication method:

Follow the associated instructions below, then follow these Next Steps.

Twitter Public Tweet

Send a tweet like the examples shown below or at right. Don't just copy the example text! Include: the hashtag: #authorize

your full name

where you are located

why you want to use the observatory @smubgobs #authorize I am Suzie Stargazer and I need to the use the BGO for my ASTRXXXX course. @smubgobs #authorize I am John Smith from Toronto and am interested cool technology and astronomy. @smubgobs #authorize I am Jane Skywalker, a teacher and I want to share images with my students.

Twitter Direct Message

Send a Twitter direct message to @smubgobs like the examples shown below or at right. Don't just copy the example text! Include: the hashtag: #authorize

your full name

where you are located

why you want to use the observatory #authorize I am Suzie Stargazer and I need to the use the BGO for my ASTRXXXX course. #authorize I am John Smith from Toronto and am interested cool technology and astronomy. #authorize I am Jane Skywalker, a teacher and I want to share images with my students.

Facebook Messenger

Visit the observatory's Facebook Page. Initiate a Facebook Messenger conversation using the "Send Message" button on the page and send a message like the examples shown below or at right. Don't just copy the example text! Include: the hashtag: #authorize

your full name

where you are located

why you want to use the observatory #authorize I am Suzie Stargazer and I need to the use the BGO for my ASTRXXXX course. #authorize I am John Smith from Toronto and am interested cool technology and astronomy. #authorize I am Jane Skywalker, a teacher and I want to share images with my students.

Cell Phone Text Messaging

Initiate a Text Messaging conversation by sending a "text" from your cell phone to: 902-966-4729. You are responsible for any text messaging costs charged by your cellular carrier. Send a message like the examples shown below or at right. Don't just copy the example text! Include: the hashtag: #authorize

your full name

where you are located

why you want to use the observatory #authorize I am Suzie Stargazer and I need to the use the BGO for my ASTRXXXX course. #authorize I am John Smith from Toronto and am interested cool technology and astronomy. #authorize I am Jane Skywalker, a teacher and I want to share images with my students.

Email

Send an email to:

put the word #listentome in the subject line

in the subject line in the email body include text like that shown below or at right. Don't just copy the example text! Include: the hashtag: #authorize your full name where you are located and why you want to use the observatory

Include: #authorize I am James Einstein and I need to use BGO for my ASTRXXXX project. #authorize I am John Smith from Toronto and am interested cool technology and astronomy. #authorize I am Jane Skywalker, a teacher and I want to share images with my students.

Next Steps

If the observatory received and understood your message, it will reply to you indicating that your observer account was created and that a human will review it and get back to you, but in the meantime, you can request images!

Note that if you request an account from more than one communication method, each is considered a different observer, and this is not allowed. If in future you wish to change communication methods, this can be requested using the #human command.

After your account has been created, use the same communication method used to create your observer account, as described on one of these pages:

You also may want to review the Twitter Tutorial and FAQ pages.

For lists of Submitted and Completed Observations, a list of Authorized Observers, it's Public Messages, and other observatory information, see the Queues, Observers, and News page.

To get help, use the #human command. We also have a Robotic Imaging at BGO/ARO Facebook group to share your observations and get help.