ING support services

An extensive range of support services are provided by ING, both for ING telescopes and for the other telescopes at the observatory. These include the following:

• Three emergency generators, each rated at 300 kVA, capable of supporting all Isaac Newton Group operations in event of a mains failure (Picture).
   
• A nitrogen plant, capable of producing 12 litres/hour of liquid nitrogen for cryogenic cooling of detectors. This currently services all the telescopes at the observatory (Picture).
   
• A vacuum coating plant capable of evaporating a thin aluminium film onto the William Herschel Telescope 4.2-metre mirror. This currently services all the telescopes at the observatory (Picture).
   
• A transport fleet comprising 30 vehicles and associated maintenance facilities;
   
• Mechanical, electronics, optics and detector laboratories.
   
• General computing facilities.
   
• A library supporting the needs of visiting astronomers and staff.