Integrating Shared Access Remote Robotic Observatories into Introductory Astronomy Laboratories

智力价值：观测天文学练习在本科生的天文学入门实验室是必不可少的。但是，为了从事真正的天文学观测，学生们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。如果很大一部分机构要实施观测实验室，就必须有一种共享现有资源的方法。越来越多的可用的可上网机器人天文台就是答案。该项目旨在开发灵活的以探究为基础的实验室课程和易于使用的数据处理工具，使任何机构，无论当地现有设备和现场专门知识如何，都能轻松地将实际的观测天文学练习纳入其天文学入门课程。由明尼阿波利斯-圣彼得堡内的六家机构组成的财团。Paul Area正在开发、测试和实施一系列观测实验室、相关的数据处理工具和支持材料，供圣托马斯大学(UST)物理系机器人天文台使用。在科大天文台进行测试后，该联盟正在从Global-Rent-A-Scope购买观测时间，这是一家商业企业，出售在黑暗地点使用望远镜的观测时间，并修改和测试用于其系统的材料。广泛的影响：几乎每个本科院校都为非技术性专业提供天文学入门课程。这些课程涉及大量的学生，他们在大学生涯中几乎没有接触过科学思想。该项目直接解决缺乏资源购买和维护自己的机构获得高质量观测设备的需要。该项目影响到各级机构的学生、教职员工。该财团被特别选定，以代表可从这项工作中受益的各种机构。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(Metro State)、一所文科大学(圣托马斯大学)、一所R1机构(明尼苏达大学)和一所高中(Cretin-Derham Hall)，它们参与了该项目的试点工作。

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.