Astronomy | Fabra-ROA Montsec Telescope
Fabra-ROA Montsec Telescope
The Fabra-ROA Montsec Telescope is a wide-field robotic telescope installed at the Montsec Observatory.
It is a Baker–Nunn camera with a 50 cm diameter, a focal ratio of f/0.96–f/1, and a field of view of 4.4° × 4.4°, equipped with a 4k × 4k CCD with 9 µm/pixel (≈ 3.9″/pixel), all integrated into a fully robotic structure remotely controlled via INDI software.
The Fabra-ROA Montsec Telescope (TFRM) is the result of collaboration between the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB), the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy in San Fernando (ROA), and the University of Barcelona.
The TFRM is particularly well suited to wide-field astronomy programmes such as:
- Observation and tracking of satellites and space debris (SST),
- Exoplanet transit searches,
- Studies of asteroids and low-surface-brightness objects.
Operational since 2010, it has produced numerous astrometric measurements of satellites, taking part in campaigns such as ESA’s CO-VI SST/SSA. With its remote and automated operation, the TFRM complements the Joan Oró Telescope (TJO) and the Wide-Field Fast Telescope (TRAC), strengthening Montsec’s capabilities as a benchmark in astronomical research and space surveillance.