12/21/2021
DFM Engineering, Inc. completes installation of the purpose built observatory for LEO ScopeTM
This 16.5 foot diameter dome was built with low thermal mass to follow ambient air temperature changes so that the observing chamber better follows the changes in the outside air temperature.
Ventillation was also integrated to significantly reduce the temperature rise of the air (by dilution) and decrease the thermal mass time constant.
• DFM installs LEO ScopeTM Observatory
5/19/2021
MCAO completes installation of DFM's Ideal Observatory.
Built with low thermal mass to specifically mitigate problems of heat generation, this modern observatory provides the highest Delivered Image Quality (DIQ) and Dome Seeing possible!
Dome maintenance and servicing of the 1.3m optics were designed into this observatory from the beginning, enhancing both safety of the optics and service personnel.
• Learn more about DFM's Revolutionary Observatory Design
11/24/2018
DFM Engineering, Inc. is proud to be a corporate sponsor of the 233rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society!
The meeting will be held January 8-12, 2019 at the Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike Streetl, in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Frank Melsheimer and Mr. Mark S. Kelley will be attending the DFM Engineering booth.
Please come visit DFM at Booth #306!
• DFM Engineering, Corporate Sponsor of the 233rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
11/02/2018
Dr. Bruce Weaver, MIRA Observatory Director, shares his account of the DFM TCSGalil™ Systems Upgrade.
In his article reprint, Dr. Weaver provides an interesting history of the 36" telescope, original worm gear drive mechanisms and control system as well as circumstances surrounding its humble beginnings.
The TCSGalil™ installation at The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) is one of a growing list of DFM Engineering's successful control system upgrades that provide legacy telescopes with an opportunity for modern technological astronomy.
Colleges, universities and research institutes across the nation have benefitted from the powerful, feature-rich environment of the TCS Galil™.
• DFM installs MIRA TCSGalil™ at The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA)
10/22/2018
DFM TCSGalil™ Systems Deployment Update
Since the Spring of 2013, DFM has been continually providing a seamless transition the new, powerful TCS Galil™ which creates a path to retrofit legacy telescope computer control systems. It's feature-rich environment presents an opportunity for modern technological astronomy without bus level dependencies.
Across the United States, colleges, universities and research institutes have benefitted from the customer service provided by DFM Engineering software developments.
• TCS Galil™ Installations Retrofitting Legacy Control Systems Follow-up
04/19/2018
TAOS 1.3m telescopes see first-light!
Offering a stunning 1.7 degrees field of view with a very fast focal ratio of F/4, these three telescopes form a triangle in order to provide important information
on the formation and dynamical evolution of the Solar System in the Transneptunian Automated Occultation Survey (TAOS II) project.
• Telescope Details
• Telescope Installation Pictures
08/10/2017
TAOS Dome Installation Complete!
Three Observatory Shelters designed and fabricated by DFM Engineering for the site at San Pedro Martír, Baja California, Mexico, have finished installation.
The buildings were designed to be low-thermal mass and offer the best 'Dome Seeing' by minimizing atmospheric optical turbulence within the dome due to temperature variations.
Designed with safety and serviceability in mind, low vibration, remote operation, and low maintenance, these DFM designed observatories offer the highest performance telescope structures available today.
• Check out pictures of the installation
05/30/2017
DFM Reconditions the Middlebury 24" Telescope.
For nearly 16 years Middlebury College's Observatory at Bicentennial Hall has benefitted from a DFM 24" telescope.
Technology has advanced considerably regarding telescopes and astronomical instrumentation over the last 15-20 years, so implementing a set of upgrades was inevitable. New technological and engineering developments transformed the Observatory, primarily the 24" telescope and its new control system, TCSGalil™.
• The Middlebury 24" Telescope is Reconditioned!
03/20/2017
20 DFM TCSGalil™ Systems have been deployed since August 2013, providing a seamless transition to a TCS computers without bus level dependencies.
In addition to providing a path to retrofit legacy DFM TCS, the TCSGalil™ System is a powerful feature-rich environment for developing new retrofit TCS for a
variety of unusual characteristics.
• The TCSGalil™ is Successfully Deployed!
12/12/2016
DFM Engineering, Inc. is proud to be a corporate sponsor of the 229th meeting of the American Astronomical Society!
The meeting will be held January 3-7, 2017 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, in Grapevine, Texas.
The 229th AAS meeting will feature over 15 award winning speakers covering topics such as star and planet formation, solar flares, black hole characteristics, galaxies, and much more. Special sessions will include a solar physics division presentation, a laboratory astrophysics division presentation, and astronomical data analysis sessions among others.
Dr. Frank Melsheimer and Mr. Mark S. Kelley will be attending the DFM Engineering booth.
Please come visit DFM at Booth #606!
09/06/2016
Observatory Shelter designed and fabricated by DFM Engineering to house a 1.3m F/4 DFM Telescope. The site is at San Pedro Martír, Baja California, Mexico.
Download a pdf of the most recent image of the Site Construction Status: TAOS II Observatory Shelter Site #1!
• TAOS II Observatory Shelter Site#1 status as of 09/06/2016.
03/05/2016
View "The Sun Watchers" video produced by Astronomy Outreach Network including an indepth look at the 1.6m New Solar Telescope designed and built by DFM!
See breathtaking images of the Sun and learn about the 1.6m NST at BBSO. It is the largest telescope of its kind in the world and making phenomenal solar discoveries possible in the science of astronomy.
Discover the critical elements of the NST that seemingly floats on a spring suspension balancing mechanism. And learn the details of a unique thermal control system, a closed-cycle, chilled-air system and its importance in providing unprecedented, high-resolution image quality.
• BBSO 1.6m New Solar Telescope and "The Sun Watchers" Video
12/16/2015
DFM Engineering, Inc. is pleased to be a sponsor of the 227th meeting of the American Astronomical Society!
The 227th AAS meeting will be held January 4-8, 2016 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, Florida.
The meeting will feature over 16 accredited speakers, multiple workshops in teaching, science presentation, team-building and astronomical data analysis, software, and research projects among other special sessions.
Dr. Frank Melsheimer and Mr. Mark S. Kelley will be attending the DFM Engineering booth. DFM will feature prime focus conversions to re-purpose old "dinosaur telescopes" with a corrected prime focus wide field instrument and show a revolutionary dual imaging instrument application designed specifically to look for asteroids.
Please come visit DFM at Booth #208 and see the new "Dino-App™"!
06/18/2015
DFM Installs a 1.3m Double Horseshoe Mount Telescope for NASA MCAT on Ascension Island!
Ascension Island (located in the mid Atlantic) is now home to the NASA and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL ) that features a new 1.3m Meter
Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT).
The fast tracking telescope follows debris targets in any direction across the sky. It eliminates both the blind-spot at the zenith that is so typical of astronomical telescopes as well as the need to flip the telescope when it crosses the meridian. It will enable NASA to deepen the understanding of the debris environment around Earth.
The MCAT is a unique telescope, one of only two like it in the world - a 20,000 lb., double horseshoe mount telescope, designed by DFM Engineering.
• 1.3m NASA MCAT Telescope Installation
05/10/2015
DFM Installs a 24" Telescope Liberty University!
The Astronomical Observatory at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, now features a new 24" DFM Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescope with a TCSGalil™.
According to Dr. Roger Schultz, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Liberty, the 24" telescope will be the largest in the region.
• Liberty University 24" Telescope Installation
04/17/2015
The ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) Optical Tube Assembly enters a final testing phase at DFM Engineering.
Dr. John Tonry and Dr. Frank Melsheimer put the ATLAS and its custom 110 megapixel CCD camera through a final testing procedure at DFM Engineering Headquarters. The instrument features are described in detail with First Light images.
• ATLAS Asteroid Tracker Testing and First Light Images
03/18/2015
Emory University stimulates interest in Astronomy with DFM 24" Telescope and TCSGalil™ Upgrade
Located within the silver dome atop Emory University's new Mathematics and Science Center, the 24" Cassegrain telescope is the centerpiece of the physics department's new astronomy program and one of the major attractions on campus.
This modern DFM 24" Telescope is computer controlled by a recently installed telescope control system (TCS) called TCSGalil™. The telescope's 24" mirror affords it the "light gathering" ability to see deeply into the universe and the new TCSGalil™ provides ease of use and numerous practical benefits.
Emory scientists are using the new telescope and the data collected in astronomy, photometric measurements and spectroscopy.
• Emory University's TCSGalil™ Upgrade
• See Emory University's testimonial and description of the 24" telescope in action!
12/19/2014
DFM contributes to the Asteroid Terrestrial - impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) at the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH).
RCUH and the Institute for Astronomy (IfA) at the University of Hawaii have developed a project called the ATLAS. It is designed to compliment the Pan-STARRS project for locating Earth bound asteroids and comets.
ATLAS will be a vital alert system for incoming planetary disasters, namely, asteroids. Astronomers expect the ATLAS system to be fully operational by the end of 2015.
• ATLAS System - quick alert project
09/19/2014
DFM Installs 1-m Telescope at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
The DFM 1-m Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) Cassegrain telescope, was installed in February 2014 on top of the new 140,000 sq. ft. College of Arts and Sciences building.
The observatory sits atop the new College of Arts & Sciences building at ERAU and creates a dramatic new skyline. The new DFM telescope launches an extensive new astronomy degree program at ERAU.
• ERAU Install details
07/21/2014
NJIT BBSO revels in Awesome Sunspot Close-Ups!
The 1.6m New Solar Telescope (NST) designed and manufactured by DFM Engineering and installed at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) is the most powerful ground-based solar telescope in the world.
Recent research and striking images have exposed new information about the events on the sun. Sunspots, granules and three-ribbon solar flares are just a few areas of study made possible by the NST.
See the breathtaking video of action on the sun by Nola Tayolr Redd of Space.com.
• NJIT BBSO revels in Awesome Sunspot Close-Ups!
04/22/2014
DFM attends the 224th AAS meeting!!
DFM Engineering, Inc. is pleased to attend the 224th meeting of the American
Astronomical Society. The meeting will be held June 1-5, 2014 at the Westin Copley Place Hotel, 10 Huntington Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts.
The 224th meeting will highlight multiple accredited speakers, a solar physics division session and a laboratory astrophysics division session among other special sessions.
Mr. Mark S. Kelley will be attending our booth.
Please come visit us at Booth #103.
04/12/2014
Enjoy the Total Eclipse of the Moon!
At 2 o'clock in the morning (EDT) on April 15th, you can be treated to this spectacular lunar eclipse. It will be visible from all of North America, and seen well up into the western sky.
However, at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), Dr. David Clavier is offering a special link to the event by opening viewing access up to the public.
[http://www.pari.edu/telescopes/OpticalTelescopes/WOT/]
For a brief explanation of the beauty of a lunar eclipse, see the following article.
• Total Lunar Eclipse on April 15th
02/28/2014
University of Western Australia Celebrates 1m Telescope Installation Anniversary!
The University of Western Australia at the Gingin Observatory is celebrating the two year anniversary of the DFM Engineering 1m telescope installation.
The telescope was named after Jim Zadko, who made a generous donation toward its acquisition and the telescope is now affectionately known as the "Zadko".
It remains the largest telescope available for professional astronomical research and public access in the Southern Hemisphere.
Exciting observations and discoveries are being celebrated and credited to its fast tracking and quality light gathering capabilities.
• 1m DFM Telescope Installation Anniversary at the University of Western Australia
11/15/2013
1.3m DFM Telescope was installed at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics
DFM Engineering recently installed a 1.3m F/8 Double Horseshoe telescope at the Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) at the historical Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) near Bangalore, India.
The installation required extensive planning and design by DFM as documented in the following article.
Exciting observations such as the Comet ISON are already being captured by the staff at the IIA.
• 1.3m DFM Telescope Installation at the IIA
10/10/2013
Austin College's IDEA Center features a DFM Engineering 24" Telescope!
A new 24" DFM Engineering telescope was installed in the Adams Observatory at Austin College's IDEA Center.
Installation took place on a beautiful, clear day in Sherman, Texas at Austin College in early August.
The new IDEA Center and Adams Observatory is handicapped accessible and will provide students, faculty and the public with state-of-the-art research facilities.
• Austin College 24" Telescope Installation
09/30/2013
DFM Engineering is Going Strong!
We are thankful to have been largely unaffected by the September 2013 flooding in Colorado.
DFM Engineering suffered no damage during the flooding. We are pleased to report that all our telescope manufacturing departments are in full operation.
We are committed to offering the same high quality products and service as always.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow Coloradans who were not so fortunate.
To help flood recovery efforts in Colorado, go to: www.HelpColoradoNow.org
12/15/2012
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University awards DFM with 40" Telescope order!
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has comissioned DFM Engineering to manufacture a 40" telescope
and consult with observatory design and planning.
The telescope and observatory will be the centerpiece of a 140,000 sq. ft. College of Arts and Sciences
building currently under construction.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's
College of Arts and Sciences
11/15/2012
1.6M Perkin Elmer Telescope at the Mt. Megantic Observatory has maintenance completed!
The University of Montreal has comissioned DFM Engineering to, once again, perform a thorough maintenance
check on the 1.6M Perkin Elmer telescope.
In addition to the routine cleaning, lubricating and maintenance checks, DFM also replaced the computer
in the Telescope Control System and upgraded the software.
The 1.6M Perkin Elmer telescope, with its sturdy mechanical structure and extraordinary optics will provide
observing efficiency and performance for many more years to come.
• University of Montreal Maintenance
and Upgrade
11/02/2012
The New Austin College IDEA Center will feature a 24" DFM Engineering telescope!
Production of the new 24" telescope is currently underway at DFM Engineering. The IDEA Center at Austin
College in Sherman, Texas is also under construction with plans to open in the fall of 2013.
The IDEA Center Observatory with the new 24" DFM research telescope will be a highlight of the new
facility at Austin College.
• IDEA Center Observatory at Austin College
3/26/2012
Dr. Frank Melsheimer of DFM Engineering presents an investigation of Satellite
Tracking Telescopes!
Dr. Melsheimer addresses the particular demands placed upon a telescope as it tracks artificial satellites.
Multiple white papers are referenced in his study as he investigates the configuration, mechanical and
servo drive considerations of the satellite tracking telescope.
In this analysis, Dr. Melsheimer provides an explanation of the three types of mount configurations; Alt-Az,
Alt-Alt, and the Equatorial mount and identifies significant features.
He addresses the mechanical considerations of the optical tube assembly mount position, drive stiffness
and structural stiffness as well as the servo drive system.
• Satellite Tracking Telescopes by
Dr. Frank Melsheimer
3/7/2012
DFM presents a thorough analysis of telescope optics!
Dr. Frank Melsheimer addresses customer requested telescope optics specifications. He provides an explanation
of perfect optics, telescope operating wavelengths and off axis images.
Additionally, he discusses the off axis image quality improvement using the DFM Engineering field corrector
design and fabrication in his paper, "Telescope
Optics Discussion".
Dr. Melsheimer includes an examination of various field corrector designs, challenges and required tools
for fabrication.
• Telescope Optics Discussion by
Dr. Frank Melsheimer
2/28/2012
Mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights shines in the Denver Post!
On Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Morganton City Hall in North Carolina, Ed Phillips of the Burke
County Tourism Development Authority presented the world's two most sought after speakers on the Mystery
of the Brown Mountain Lights! Joshua
P. Warren, Paranormal Investigator and Applachian State University Physicist and Astronomer, Dr.
Dan Caton both shared their theories on the origins of the mysterious lights to a sell-out crowd.
The news of the mysterious lights and the symposium interest captured the attention of the Denver
Post easily 6 states to the west in Colorado.
• The Brown Mountain Lights
Mystery
2/20/2012
Memorial University Grenfell Campus features a DFM Engineering 24" Telescope!
A new 24" DFM Engineering telescope was installed at the Grenfell
Campus of Memorial University.
Installation took place in the late afternoon and evening hours before an approaching storm.
The new observatory and telescope will provide handicapped accessibility for the public and with research
support from NSERC (NSF equivalent) the telescope will be used for research on half-light diameters of
open clusters. The Grenfell Campus will also explore collaborative projects with students from Saint Mary's
University in Halifax, which has a full-blown astronomy graduate program.
• DFM installs a 24" Telescope for
Memorial University Grenfell Campus.
1/20/2012
ARIES 1.3 meter optical telescope installed in Devasthal, India!
The DFM Engineering team completes a successful installation at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational
Sciences (ARIES).
Installation took place in the remote Central Himalayan region of Northern India.
The pristine location enables thorough study of variable stars, supernova events and star formation in
the Milky Way and other galaxies in the universe.
• DFM installs a 1.3 meter Optical Telescope
for ARIES.
1/13/2012
University of Victoria features Canada's largest 'on-campus' Telescope
DFM Engineering installs a 32"!
The DFM Engineering team completes a successful installation at the University of Victoria in British
Columbia, Canada.
The University's preparations and new science building made for a smooth install.
• DFM installs a 32"Telescope at
the University of Victoria
11/9/2011
DFM Engineering's research grade telescopes have been used to track the asteroid YU55 as it moves
through the sky referenced to the stars.
View images, used with permission of Dr. William Keel, University
of Alabama showing 60 second exposures tracking the asteroid.
• DFM's CCT-16 tracks
the Asteroid YU55!
4/8/2011
DFM Engineering has been awarded the contract for the design, manufacture and installation of NASA's
Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) system.
Research, imaging and characterization of space debris will be the cornerstone of space surveillance by
NASA and the Air Force Reserch Laboratory, a core technical capability required to support US national
interests in space.
• DFM Engineering creates the 1.3M MCAT System!
01/30/2011
DFM Engineering co-sponsors the Telescopes
From Afar Conference.
DFM is proud to announce its co-sponsorship of the international conference, “Telescopes from Afar” being
held February 28 - March 3, 2011 at Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Hawai’i.
The conference will focus on remotely operated, automated and robotic ground based telescopes including
economics, scheduling, networking, instrumentation and other related topics.
The goal is to provide an opportunity to share information on the advancements and developments in the
areas of remote observing, remote operation and automated local and global networking of all sizes of observatories.
The conference offers a unique perspective on retrofitting existing observatories for remote and autonomous
operations.
• Telescopes From Afar
Conference
|