A Telescope and Planetarium for Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction

用于本科生天文学教学的望远镜和天文馆

• 批准号: 9151141
• 负责人: Michael Burchfield
• 金额: $ 1.44万
• 依托单位: Holmes Community College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1991
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1991-08-15 至 1994-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9151141&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Telescope; Planetarium; Undergraduate; Astronomy; Instruction

The Science and Mathematics department of Holmes Community College is improving its astronomy laboratory curriculum by acquiring instrumentation which will allow students to collect scientifically valuable data. The department is using a 14- inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, photometer, CCD imaging camera, video camera and conventional photography equipment. In addition, a planetarium and computers are being used for preparation for outdoor observations. The photometer is used to determine the lightcurves of variable stars. The astrometric capabilities of the CCD imaging camera allow students to determine the angular separation between objects. Students can also use the CCD imaging camera to plot the movement of objects (such as comets and asteroids) relative to the stars. The CCD camera also has photometric capability and allows students to measure changes in the brightness and structure of comets. The video camera is used to record and time occultations. The video camera also makes the telescope more accessible to visually and physically handicapped students. The college is housing the instruments in an existing domed observatory.The instruments allow students to participate in the entire scientific process, from the development of an observing program to the reduction and analysis of data. The department plans its observing programs in association with several amateur astronomical societies to which students may submit data and publications.

霍尔姆斯社区学院的科学和数学系正在通过购买仪器来改进其天文实验室课程，这些仪器将允许学生收集有科学价值的数据。该部门正在使用14英寸的施密特-卡塞格伦望远镜、光度计、CCD成像相机、摄像机和传统摄影设备。此外，正在使用天文馆和计算机为室外观测做准备。光度计用于测定变星的光曲线。CCD成像相机的天文测量功能使学生能够确定物体之间的角距。学生还可以使用CCD成像相机来绘制物体（如彗星和小行星）相对于恒星的运动。CCD相机也有测光能力，让学生测量彗星的亮度和结构的变化。摄像机用于记录和计时掩星。摄像机还使视力和身体有残疾的学生更容易使用望远镜。该学院将仪器安置在一个现有的圆顶天文台中。这些仪器允许学生参与整个科学过程，从观察程序的发展到数据的简化和分析。该系计划与几个业余天文学会合作开展观测项目，学生可以向这些学会提交数据和出版物。