Network of Oriental Robotic Telescopes

Extract

We should like to report on the Network of Oriental Robotic Telescopes, otherwise the ORT network. Our objective is non-stop observations of variable stars by collaboration with other networks of automated photometric telescopes, complementary to the ORT network in longitude and latitude intervals, such as the GNAT in the U.S.A., the Chilean cordillera stations, the South African stations, etc. As a first step we will deal with photometric telescopes, then we will extend them to spectroscopy.

From 12-year archives of meteorological satellites, it appeared that sites located around the north latitude from 15° to 35° and from 10° west to 110° east in longitude have high-quality astronomical conditions with a significant annual number of clear nights. Such sites involve Islamic countries from Morocco to the western deserts of China. In addition to their astronomical history, the Islamic countries are suitable because they have high mountains in semi-desert areas, i.e. a clear sky with low telluric absorption. The final site selection will be based upon local astronomical tests, such as seeing and scintillation measurements.