AAVSOnet Status, 2021-02-15

Progress continues to be made by Cliff on the conversion of the HQ pipeline to python.  We've had lots of new proposals, and Ken has been great in getting the targets into the various telescope queues.  Right now, most of the southwestern US systems are having poor weather - several winter storms are passing through.

BSM_Berry.  Operational, using the AT72 refractor/CGEM combination, and the ZWO ASI183mm-pro CMOS camera.

BSM_Hamren.  This system has been moved to Hawaii, and is sited at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the north end of the Big Island.  Aaron Sliski is helping their staff and students install the system.  It should be ready for targets in a week or two.

BSM_NH2.  Currently off-line.  The roof opening mechanism has failed.  Gary Walker is taking the lead on finding and fixing the problem, but it may be down for a week or more.  That said, the weather is currently poor and new observing won't be possible for the next wek, so it is not a huge loss.

BSM_NM.  We're still fighting the weird ghost images with this system.  The current thought is to recollimate the OTA, an operation that will take a couple of weeks once we've made that decision.  Until then, it continues to acquire new data.

BSM_S. Operational, using the AT72 refractor/CGEM combination, and the ZWO ASI183mm-pro CMOS camera.

BSM_TX.  There are some issues with focus on this system.  I'm pretty sure that the problem lies with the Vcurves needed by Focusmax.  Once the weather improves, we'll work on solving the focus problems.

OC61.  Operational.  We're getting ready to ship new equipment to New Zealand within the week.

SRO.  The camera failed a few weeks ago.  It has now been repaired by SBIG (thanks, Bill Lynch!) and the system should be operational again soon.

TMO61.  Operational.  Jon Holtzman is working on the camera upgrade to the QHY600.