Completing the Whately Telescope Upgrade for Undergraduate Infrared Astronomy

观测天文学既是一门科学，也是一门艺术。虽然科学可以在课堂上教授，但真正理解望远镜、探测器和数据采集需要在天文台亲身体验。大多数本科生很少直接接触到观测天文学的仪器和计算设施，这些仪器和计算设施与主要天文台的仪器和计算设施相当。在过去的两年里，五学院天文系一直在支持当地40厘米的波勒和奇文斯反射器的升级。这个项目的目标是为学生提供一个环境，尽可能多地模拟现代望远镜观测的关键方面。安装在这台小型望远镜上的最先进的红外仪器不仅为本科生提供了宝贵的实验室经验，而且使他们能够开展在质量和意义上与在最大望远镜设施上进行的研究项目相竞争的研究项目。该系正在继续进行升级，包括安装用于远程源采集和引导的弱光摄像机，升级数据采集计算机以适应新的高数据速率检测系统，并为学生提供专业数据简化和分析计算设施。该财团将提供等额的资金。//

Observational astronomy is both a science and an art. While the science can be taught in the classroom, real understanding of telescopes, detectors, and data acquisition requires hands on experience at an observatory. Most undergraduate students receive little direct exposure to observational astronomy with instrumentation and computing facilities comparable to those found at major observatories. Over the past two years the Five College Astronomy Department has been supporting an upgrade of a local 40cm Boller and Chivens reflector. The goal this project is to provide an environment for students which, in as many was as possible, simulates the key aspects of modern telescopic observing. The availability of state-of-the-art infrared instrumentation which has been installed on this small telescope not only provides undergraduates with invaluable laboratory experience but also enables them to carry out research projects competitive in both quality and significance to those performed at the largest telescope facilities. The department is continuing the upgrade by incorporating a low- light camera for remote source acquisition and guiding, upgrading the data acquisition computer to accomodate a new high data-rate detection system, and providing students with access to professional data reduction and analysis computing facilities. The consortium is matching the award with an equal amount of funds.//