The University of NSW’s Automated Patrol Telescope is a modified Baker-Nunn satellite tracking camera, now used for CCD imaging of astronomical objects. The f/1 Baker-Nunn optical design gives a 30° field of view with an approximately spherical focal surface of radius ≈500 mm. While the focal plane curvature is tolerable across the 1.4° × 1.0° field of the present CCD, it becomes unacceptable when a larger CCD is used. In addition, the use of glass filters in the highly convergent beam produces intolerable spherical aberration. We present a design modification to the original Baker-Nunn which enables a 5° diameter flat field to be produced when using B, V, R or I filters. By making this modification, we plan to perform multicolour imaging, using a new large-format CCD with a 2.9° × 1.9° field of view.

A laboratory astrophysics facility for the study of the terrestrial analogues of interstellar dust grains is being developed in the Physics Department, University College, Australian Defence Force Academy. The facility consists of a gas handling system for the preparation of samples, a closed-cycle cooler and specimen chamber, and a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer capable of high resolution (0.3 cm−1) and high sensitivity measurements, currently from 1-25 μm. The layout and construction of the laboratory are described, and the proposed initial experimental program aimed at determining the optical constants of ices over a wide wavelength range for comparison with astronomical observations is discussed.