Revitalizing Astronomy Laboratories at Smith College

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This project is creating an astronomy laboratory facility that introduces modern data acquisition and image processing techniques to introductory and advanced students at Smith College. The facility consists of a professional-grade telescope of modest aperture (16 inches), a solid state (charge coupled device) imaging camera, and computers for telescope control, data acquisition and analysis. This facility makes a dramatic change in the laboratory experiences for students. The facility is the centerpiece for a new set of laboratory courses designed to bring interactive, inquiry-based learning to both non-science and science students, and to introduce them to the excitement and power of digital imaging techniques. This facility will be used each year by over 100 introductory students, 5 to 10 advanced students, and 50 high school girls participating in the Smith Summer Science Program.