Infrastructure
Computer cluster
Our institute is equipped with a modern computer cluster. Its main duty is to speed up computer-demanding methods, such as the 3D asteroid modelling technique developed by dr P. Bartczak and its group. In its first version, it consisted of two servers and 15 workstations, working in a LAN network with 1 GB/s capacity. Each workstation is equipped with a six core AMD processor, with 3.2 GHz and 4GB RAM, as well as a Nvidia Gforce GFTX570 graphic card. The latter is exploited with a dedicated software that has been created to perform GPU-accelerated computing.
In a second phase, the cluster was upgraded with 10 computers with similar characteristics, but without graphic cards. These computers are devoted to storing and processing data gathered with the ILMT 4.0 m. telescope located in Devasthal, India ( http://www.aeos.ulg.ac.be/LMT/index.php)
Recently, a major upgrade of the cluster has been made, with 65 new computers equipped with six core AMD processors, 3.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM and GTX750Ti graphic cards with 2GB RAM, 640 cores 1 GHz. Additionally, a third server has been acquired, with two SSD 240 GB disks and one HDD disk. In sum, the cluster consists of 80 workstations and 3 servers (excluding computers processing ILMT data), all working with Debian GNU/Linux. It worth noting that the total power consumed when computers work at the maximum capacity reaches 50 kW. As a consequence, the room hosting the cluster has to be continuously cooled.
Telescope testing site
The dome of 5 meters in diameter located in the Observatory park is dedicated to testing new telescopes before installing them in the destination place. The PST2 robotic telescope now working in the Winer Observatory in Arizona (USA) was tested there before shipment. Two new robotic telescopes that we plan to build and place in different locations will also be initially tested in the Observatory park.
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Educational infrastructure
Telescopes
Photometric 400/2500 mm telescope
Spectroscopic binary 2×500 mm telescope PST1
Lecture room
Lecture room has 49 seats (max.) It’s equipped with desktop computer, two digital video projectors, interactive whiteboard and chalkboard. It is also possible to connect one’s own laptop.
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Computer lab
In the lab students can use 14 PC computers with Intel Core i3 multicore processors and 4Gb RAM. All computers are running Linux. The same type of computer and digital video projector are available for the lecturer. The lab has a fast, gigabyte internet connection.
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Students room
Students room is a place when students can spend time between classes and eat some small meals. Room is equipped with electric kettle and a microwave owen. Moreover, students can use four PC computers and a printer there.
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