RTML is an XML based data description that has been proposed as a possible standard for controlling astronomical telescopes. Thge adoption of such a system would make it possible for an observing request to be prepared remotely and then carried out at any one of a number of observatories. A single document could then be used to specify observations that could be obtained at a number of different facilities.
Such a system could provide a standard for robotic telescope systems. Such a system would make it possible to establish and manage networks of autonomous telescopes.
RTML has currently been adopted by Hands On Universe (HOU) and by the Robotic Telescope Consortium (RCT) for specifying observing requests. The Astronomers Control Program (ACP) by DC3 Dreams is now able to process observing requests prepared as RTML. [ October 2001 ]
These pages provide a basic summary of the nature of RTML. Also included are links to information about XML, which is the basis for RTML. These pages are maintained by HOU-LBL.Notes from the January 2000 Berkeley conference
More Notes from the January 2000 Berkeley conference by Michael Richmond and John Mattox
An example/draft DTD for RTML can be found at... http://sunra.lbl.gov/rtml/rtml.dtd RTML 1.0 was never actually implemented.
At the Global Hands On Universe Conference (GHOU), Bob Denny proposed a simplification of RTML1.0 that could be immediately implemented using existing hardware and software systems. Denny illustrated observing requests prepared using this modified RTML that could then be processed by his ACP software. The conference adopted Denny's suggestions and agreed to call the new version RTML 2.0.A description of RTML 2.0, which includes a convenient history of RTML is available. The primary RTML 2.0 reference is available from the HOU website. Available materials include a DTD and XDR. HOU plans to develop software to prepare RTML using HOU observing requests.
Bob Denny has announced the availability of an ASCOM wrapper for RTML 2.0.
At the Global Hands On Universe Conference (GHOU), Rick Hessman proposed a dramatic expansion of RTML 1.0 that could ultimately provide a completely self documenting system for all astronomical data. Hessman's presentation is available online. This expanded RTML system would be used to specify the FITS data headers for the completed observtions and follow along with the data as it was archived and ultimately published. The conference agreed to call this new version RTML 3.0 (proposed). Some documents by Hessman refer to this proposed standard as RTML 2b.
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