Rigel: A Robotic Observatory for Undergraduate Astronomy Education

（11）本项目正在开发一个原型机器人观测台，供大学生天文学实验室使用。我们的目标是开发一个完整的软件和课程，可以购买'交钥匙'在本科教学实验室使用的合理成本的综合系统。研究望远镜制造商Torus Technologies正在参与开发并销售望远镜。这种方法的教育优势是，它允许大量的学生设计和分析他们自己的天文观测的各种天体在科学上有意义的方式。天文台的硬件包括一个37厘米的反射望远镜、成像相机、滤光片和光谱仪，安装在一个紧凑的玻璃纤维圆顶内，在停电或天气紧急情况下，可以自动关闭。所有硬件都由一台中央计算机控制，可以通过基于Web浏览器的软件访问。数据分析软件和课程描述也主要是基于Web的，其中一些是为特定平台构建的本地二进制文件。软件设计针对速度、易用性和与各种操作系统的兼容性进行了优化。课程材料以爱荷华州大学现有的天文学实验室课程为基础，该大学开创性的自动望远镜设施已成功使用了五年多。

Astronomy (11) This project is developing a prototype robotic observatory designed for use in undergraduate astronomy laboratories. The goal is to develop an integrated system complete with software and curriculum that can be purchased 'turn-key' at reasonable cost for use in undergraduate teaching laboratories. Torus Technologies, a manufacturer of research telescopes, is participating in the development and is marketing the telescope. The educational advantage of this approach is that it allows large numbers of students to design and analyze their own astronomical observations of a wide variety of celestial objects in a scientifically meaningful manner. This is crucial in conveying the excitement and sense of discovery central to all scientific research.The Observatory hardware consists of a 37 cm reflecting telescope, imaging camera, filters, and spectrometer housed in a compact fiberglass dome with fail-safe closure in case of power failure or weather emergency. All hardware is controlled by a central computer that can be accessed through Web browser-based software. The data analysis software and curriculum descriptions are also largely Web-based, with some native binaries built for specific platforms. The software design is optimized for speed, ease of use, and compatibility with a variety of operating systems. Curriculum materials are based on the existing astronomy laboratory curriculum at the University of Iowa, at which the pioneering Automated Telescope Facility has been used successfully for over five years.