Integrating Shared Access Remote Robotic Observatories into Introductory Astronomy Laboratories

将共享访问远程机器人天文台集成到入门天文学实验室

• 批准号: 1140385
• 负责人: Gerald Ruch
• 金额: $ 16.69万
• 依托单位: University of St. Thomas
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-05-01 至 2016-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1140385&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Integrating; Shared; Access; Remote; Robotic

Intellectual Merit: Observational astronomy exercises are essential in the undergraduate introductory astronomy laboratories. But, to engage in real observational astronomy, students need access to computerized telescopes equipped with electronic detectors (CCD cameras, etc.). Additionally, students and instructors need access to the processing tools and technical expertise required to perform the data analysis. If a significant fraction of institutions are to implement observational labs, there must be a way to share access to existing resources. The growing number of available Internet accessible robotic observatories are the answer. The project is to develop flexible inquiry-based laboratory curricula and easy-to-use data processing tools that allow any institution, regardless of available local equipment and on-site expertise, to easily integrate real observational astronomy exercises into their introductory astronomy courses. A consortium of six institutions within the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is developing, testing, and implementing a set of observational labs, associated data processing tools, and supporting materials for use on the University of St. Thomas (UST) Physics Department robotic observatory. Following testing at the UST Observatory, the consortium is purchasing observing time from Global-Rent-A-Scope, a commercial enterprise that sells observing time on telescopes at dark sites, and modifying and testing the materials for use on their systems.Broader Impacts: Nearly every undergraduate institution offers an introductory astronomy course for nontechnical majors. These courses involve an enormous number of students who have little additional contact with scientific thought in their college careers. This project directly addresses the need for access to high quality observational equipment by institutions lacking the resources to purchase and maintain their own. This project impacts students, staff, and faculty at institutions of all levels. The consortium was selected specifically to represent a full spectrum of institutions that could benefit from this work. They include two community colleges (North Hennepin and Normandale), a state university (Metro State), a liberal arts university (The University of St. Thomas), an R1 institution (The University of Minnesota), and a high school (Cretin-Derham Hall) that have participated in developing a pilot of this project.

智力优势：观测天文学练习在本科天文学入门实验室中是必不可少的。但是，要从事真实的观测天文学，学生需要使用配备电子探测器（CCD相机等）的计算机化望远镜。此外，学生和教师需要获得执行数据分析所需的处理工具和技术专业知识。如果有相当一部分机构要实施观测实验室，就必须有一种方法来共享现有资源。越来越多的可通过互联网访问的机器人观测站就是答案。该项目旨在开发灵活的探究式实验室课程和易于使用的数据处理工具，使任何机构，无论当地设备和现场专业知识如何，都能轻松地将真实的观测天文学练习纳入其天文学入门课程。明尼阿波利斯-圣保罗地区的六个机构组成的联盟正在开发、测试和实施一套观测实验室、相关数据处理工具和支持材料，供圣托马斯大学（UST）物理系机器人观测台使用。在UST天文台进行测试之后，该财团正在从Global-Rent-A-Scope购买观测时间，这是一家商业企业，出售望远镜在黑暗地点的观测时间，并修改和测试用于其系统的材料。 几乎每一所大学都为非技术专业的学生提供天文学入门课程。这些课程涉及大量的学生，他们在大学生涯中很少接触科学思想。该项目直接解决了缺乏购买和维护自己的资源的机构对高质量观测设备的需求。该项目影响学生，工作人员和教师在各级机构。选定该联合体是为了代表可从这项工作中受益的所有机构。它们包括两所社区学院（北亨内平和诺曼代尔）、一所州立大学（大都会州立大学）、一所文科大学（圣托马斯托马斯大学）、一所R1机构（明尼苏达大学）和一所高中（克雷廷-德拉姆霍尔），这些学校都参与了该项目的试点开发。