MRI: Acquisition of Improved Optics and New Instrumentation for a Research and Instructional Observatory

在这个项目中获得的仪器和设备将用于阿巴拉契亚州‘’‘’的暗天天文台的研究和教学。一些望远镜将被升级为远程和/或自动操作，两个望远镜将被添加到发展中的天网GRB响应系统中。这些系统将用于伽马射线爆发的光学后续观测，并为时间分辨光度法提供更高的分辨率和更快的图像读取。改进后的32英寸望远镜将提供更好的图像质量，提高光谱学的效率和拥挤场测光的质量。这一改进后的设施不仅将为阿巴拉契亚州立大学的学生提供更多的培训机会，而且还将为国内和国际上的其他学生提供通过互联网进行观察的机会。

The instrumentation and equipment acquired in this project will be used for research and teaching at Appalachian State''''s Dark Sky Observatory. Several telescopes will be upgraded for remote and/or automatic operation and two telescopes will be added to the developing Skynet GRB response system. These syetems will be used for optical followup observations of Gamma Ray Bursts as well as provide higher resolution and faster image reads for time-resolved photometry. The improved optics of the 32-inch telescope will offer better image quality increasing the efficiency of spectroscopy and the quality of crowded-field photometry. This improved facility will give more opportunity for student training not only at Appalachian State but also to other students, nationally, and internationally, because of observing opportunities over the Internet.