A Telescope and Planetarium for Undergraduate Astronomy Instruction

霍姆斯社区的科学和数学系 学院正在改进其天文学实验室课程， 获取仪器，使学生能够收集 有科学价值的数据。 部门正在使用14- 英寸施密特-卡塞格伦望远镜，光度计，CCD成像 照相机、摄像机和常规摄影设备。 此外，天文馆和计算机正在用于 为户外观测做准备。 光度计用于 来测定变星的光变曲线 的 CCD成像相机的天体测量能力允许 让学生确定物体之间的角距。 学生还可以使用CCD成像相机绘制 物体（如彗星和小行星）相对于 the stars. CCD摄像机还具有测光能力， 允许学生测量亮度的变化， 彗星的结构 摄像机用于记录和 时间掩星 摄像机也让望远镜 方便视障及肢体伤残人士使用 学生 学院把仪器放在一个 现有的圆顶天文台。仪器允许学生 参与整个科学过程，从 制定一项减少和 数据分析。 该部门计划其观测项目 与几个业余天文学会合作， 学生可以提交数据和出版物。

The Science and Mathematics department of Holmes Community College is improving its astronomy laboratory curriculum by acquiring instrumentation which will allow students to collect scientifically valuable data. The department is using a 14- inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, photometer, CCD imaging camera, video camera and conventional photography equipment. In addition, a planetarium and computers are being used for preparation for outdoor observations. The photometer is used to determine the lightcurves of variable stars. The astrometric capabilities of the CCD imaging camera allow students to determine the angular separation between objects. Students can also use the CCD imaging camera to plot the movement of objects (such as comets and asteroids) relative to the stars. The CCD camera also has photometric capability and allows students to measure changes in the brightness and structure of comets. The video camera is used to record and time occultations. The video camera also makes the telescope more accessible to visually and physically handicapped students. The college is housing the instruments in an existing domed observatory.The instruments allow students to participate in the entire scientific process, from the development of an observing program to the reduction and analysis of data. The department plans its observing programs in association with several amateur astronomical societies to which students may submit data and publications.