Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach (WUCAO)

通过这个项目，基特峰国家天文台(KPNO)将把最近退役的麦克马思-皮尔斯太阳望远镜改造成一个天文可视化和演示中心。新翻新的麦克马思-皮尔斯设施将与现有的基特峰游客中心(KPVC)完全整合，合并后的设施将被称为宇宙天文扩展中心的窗口。两个天文数据可视化系统--球面科学(SOS)和地球穹顶数字天文馆--以及互动展品和天文教室将被安装。Geodome和SOS都配备了拍摄天文图像并将其修改为球面或半球投影的设备。在KPNO开发的图像和动画可以与使用SOS和Geodome的其他设施共享(目前全世界有225多个这样的设施)。该项目的目标是发展由KPVC运营的国际天文学推广中心(IAOC)，作为一个正常运作、自给自足的天文学推广中心，并扩大计划的重点，将所有由NSF支持的天文学包括在内。此类计划的好处包括：1)KPVC显著提高了向现场客人提供更吸引人的天文体验的能力，以及2)将覆盖范围扩大到那些前往Kitt Peak的人。该项目为将过时的科学设施转变为自给自足的教育设施提供了一个新的、具有成本效益的模式，可以交流现代天文研究的过程和结果。该设施的长期重大投资历史将继续产生回报，因为该设施得到保护，并利用科学可视化和通信方面的研究最佳实践，改造成一个新的21世纪天文学推广中心。使用球体科学(SOS)和Geodome数字天文馆平台，Kitt Peak获得了一个功能强大的设施，以新的方式为游客服务，而所有由NSF资助的天文设施通过向公众展示天文可视化而无需重大投资，获得了新的全球曝光率。该中心将从美国国家科学基金会资助的全球天文和天体物理设施获取图像，然后将这些文件转换为数据集，在SOS和地球穹顶上展示，并分发到所有配备了这种设备的地点立即展示。这使得能够对现有方案进行重大扩展和增强，并创建新的方案。KPNO的客人将有更广阔的窗口了解现代天文学，地区和部落学校将受益于新的STEM教育体验。参观美国和其他国家其他地方的博物馆和公园的游客将在他们的SOS影院和地理穹顶天文台看到这个新的、影响深远的设施所创造的天文成果。最后，这个项目保留了一个古老的和标志性的太阳望远镜，尽管与丹尼尔·K·井上太阳望远镜的新能力相比黯然失色，但它对公共教育活动很有用。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With this project, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) will transform the recently retired McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope into an astronomy visualization and presentation center. The newly renovated McMath-Pierce facility will be fully integrated with the existing Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC) and the combined operation will be called the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach. Two astronomy data visualization systems -- Science On A Sphere (SOS) and GeoDome Digital Planetarium -- along with interactive exhibits and an astronomy classroom will be installed. Both GeoDome and SOS are equipped to take astronomical imagery and modify it for spherical or hemispherical projection. The images and animations developed at KPNO can be shared with other facilities employing both SOS and the GeoDome (currently over 225 such facilities worldwide). The goals of this project are to develop the International Astronomy Outreach Center (IAOC), run by KPVC, as a functioning, self-sustaining astronomy outreach center, and expand the focus of the programs to include all NSF-supported astronomy. The benefits of such a program include: 1) significantly improved capability of the KPVC to present more engaging astronomy-based experiences to onsite guests, and 2) extended reach beyond those who travel to Kitt Peak.This project provides a new, cost-effective model for conversion of an outdated science facility to a self-supporting educational facility that communicates the process and results of modern astronomical research. The long history of major investment in the facility will continue to generate returns as the facility is preserved and transformed into a new 21st-century astronomy outreach center using research-based best practices in science visualization and communication. Using the Science On A Sphere (SOS) and GeoDome Digital Planetarium platforms, Kitt Peak gains a highly capable facility to serve its visitors in new ways, while all NSF-funded astronomy facilities gain new global exposure through astronomy visualizations to public audiences without major investments. The Center will acquire imagery from NSF-funded astronomy and astrophysics facilities from around the globe, and then transform those files into data sets for presentation on both SOS and the GeoDome, and for distribution to all so-equipped sites for immediate display. This enables a major expansion and enhancement of existing programs and the creation of new programs. Guests to KPNO will have a wider window on modern astronomy, and regional and Tribal schools will benefit from new STEM education experiences. Visitors to museums and parks elsewhere in the US and other countries will see astronomy results created in this new, far-reaching facility displayed in their SOS theaters and GeoDome planetaria. Finally, this project preserves a venerable and iconic solar telescope, which, although eclipsed by the new capabilities of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, is useful for public education activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.