Modern Astronomy In The Classroom: Introduction To CCDs AndImage Processsing

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Observational astronomy and planetary science are vital parts of the undergraduate science curriculum at MIT. There are two (one freshman, one upper level) laboratory courses which teach astronomical observing techniques using 8-, 14, 16- and 24-inch telescopes. Rapid advances in digital imaging have rendered most astronomical laboratory teaching out of date and in critical need of improvement. Further, planetary science courses can be substantially improved by providing hands on access to spacecraft imagery. The undergraduate astronomy laboratory curriculum is being fully modernized through the purchase of charge-coupled device (CCD) camera systems to be used on existing telescopes. High quality and low cost astronomical CCD cameras for small telescopes have become commercially available only within the last year. Thus it is now possible to bring the state-of-the art technology in astronomical instrumentation into the classroom for both freshman and upper level laboratories. The CCD camera systems require Macintosh II computers for their operation. As these computers will also be used for the subsequent manipulation of images, the curriculum is being further improved through the introduction and teaching of image processing to all laboratory students, including freshman. The overall science and technology impact for educating students will therefore become enormous as image processing now pervades all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. In addition, the scope of this project is being expanded beyond astronomy laboratories to at least two planetary science courses through the availability of Voyager and other planetary mission images on compact disks. Daytime use of the Macintosh computers gives hands-on experience with real digital images to a very broad cross section of students. In this way the project increases the educational impact in terms of the number of students, in addition to bringing the latest in science and technology into the classroom.