GFA tagged posts

Researchers Gear up Galaxy-seeking Robots for a Test Run

This is an array of 10 wedge-shaped petals, each loaded with 500 robotic fiber-optic positioners, will be assembled in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument's focal plate. At right, a view of the robots fitted into holes in one of the petals. Credit: DESI Collaboration

This is an array of 10 wedge-shaped petals, each loaded with 500 robotic fiber-optic positioners, will be assembled in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument’s focal plate. At right, a view of the robots fitted into holes in one of the petals. Credit: DESI Collaboration

A prototype system, designed as a test for a planned array of 5,000 galaxy-seeking robots, is taking shape at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). Dubbed ProtoDESI, the scaled-down, 10-robot system will help scientists achieve the pinpoint accuracy needed to home in on millions of galaxies, quasars and stars with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) planned for the Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Ariz...

Read More