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。 科学可以在课堂上教授，真实的理解 望远镜，探测器和数据采集需要动手 在天文台的经历 大多数本科生接受 很少直接接触观测天文学， 仪器和计算设施， 在主要的天文台。 在过去的两年里，五所大学 天文系一直在支持当地40厘米的升级 Boller和Chivens反射器。 该项目的目标是提供 一个让尽可能多的学生 模拟现代望远镜观测的关键方面。 的 提供最先进的红外仪器， 安装在这个小望远镜上不仅提供了 拥有宝贵的实验室经验的本科生， 他们进行研究项目的竞争力在质量和 这对那些在最大的望远镜设施上进行的工作具有重要意义。 该部门正在继续升级，将一个低- 光摄像头进行远程源采集和引导， 数据采集计算机，以适应新的高数据速率 检测系统，并为学生提供专业的 数据简化和分析计算设施。 该企业集团 将奖金与同等金额的资金相匹配。

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.//