A Remotely Controlled Telescope for Undergraduate Astronomy Laboratories

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This project involves a novel remotely controlled telescope used for undergraduate astronomical laboratories. The telescope is at an existing University-owned Observatory with very low light pollution and excellent observing conditions. The telescope and camera system are operated via a telephone link to the student laboratory on campus. This relatively low cost system allows students direct access to a powerful, highly functional instrument which is capable of demonstrating many astronomical objects studied in the lecture and textbook but which would be difficult or impossible to observe with telescopes located on campus. Both hardware and software is designed to be completely hands-on and user-friendly so that average students can design and run their own observations with minimum assistance. After an initial period of use at the University of Iowa, use of this instrument will be extended to other regional colleges who would jointly operate the telescope on a shared basis.