MRI: Acquisition of Improved Optics and New Instrumentation for a Research and Instructional Observatory

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The instrumentation and equipment acquired in this project will be used for research and teaching at Appalachian State''''s Dark Sky Observatory. Several telescopes will be upgraded for remote and/or automatic operation and two telescopes will be added to the developing Skynet GRB response system. These syetems will be used for optical followup observations of Gamma Ray Bursts as well as provide higher resolution and faster image reads for time-resolved photometry. The improved optics of the 32-inch telescope will offer better image quality increasing the efficiency of spectroscopy and the quality of crowded-field photometry. This improved facility will give more opportunity for student training not only at Appalachian State but also to other students, nationally, and internationally, because of observing opportunities over the Internet.