Potential Locations
Locations for our observatories are ideally in drier climates with clear views down to 30 degrees in elevation. We are also able to operate in wetter climates, but prefer drier areas in order to maximize our amount of observing time. Power and internet availability are also a requirement for a potential site. On average, one telescope, along with its required equipment, requires 1.25 kWh of electricity per day. We are able to operate on a wide variety of network speeds. Over the current observatory network, we currently operate on speeds ranging from 10 Mbps symmetric fiber all the way down to 256 Kbps symmetric satellite internet. Our observatories are traditionally a roll-off-roof (ROR) design, but we adapt to each site individually. An enclosure may already exist, or we are also able to build our own. Hosting in a previously existing ROR allows for the quickest turnaround to install telescopes. If a ROR is not available, we can construct a ROR on private land that is able to be properly leased by us. When we construct a ROR, the building typically has a footprint of 3 meters by 4 meters. With the roof supports, the complete footprint expands to approximately 3 meters by 8 meters. In a ROR of this size, we install anywhere from 2 to 7 telescopes. The final ROR size and number of telescopes will depend on the status of our network at the time of install as well as the size and climate of land that may be available. iTeleQuest will cover all expenses associated with the ROR construction.
Responsibilities
iTeleQuest RORs do not require day-to-day maintenance by anyone on site and we have typically gone 4-6 months at some sites before on-site help was required. The maintenance that we would request is as simple as unplugging and plugging back in a USB cord and will not be more complicated than switching out a camera. Full instructions on the maintenance to be completed will be provided, so no previous knowledge about astronomy or telescopes is necessary. For the on-site assistance, possession of some basic computer skills is ideal, but not much more than being able to install applications and work with the Windows operating system. All in all, the presence of our ROR does not alter your day-to-day operations.
Pay
iTeleQuest pays a competitive monthly hosting fee, which includes our power and internet costs. The monthly price is a function of the size of the building and other peripheral costs. A contract is signed between iTeleQuest and the site host in order to ensure that all responsibilities, policies, etc. are clear. The contract may be signed on a month-to-month, 6 month or a year term. We are open to whichever would work best for the host.