Case Study of Developing an Affordable Undergraduate Observatory

Autor/inn/en	Scowcroft, Victoria; Davies, Steve R.; Mathlin, Gary; Sloan, Peter A.
Titel	Case Study of Developing an Affordable Undergraduate Observatory
Quelle	In: Physics Education, 58 (2023) 3, Artikel 035014 (13 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Scowcroft, Victoria) ORCID (Sloan, Peter A.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0031-9120
Schlagwörter	Science Instruction; College Science; Undergraduate Study; Science Laboratories; Astronomy; Computer Uses in Education; Program Development; Laboratory Equipment; Student Projects + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Grundstudium; Astronomie; Computernutzung; Programmplanung; Laborausstattung; Schulprojekt
Abstract	Astronomy is one of the few sciences where the data (star-light) can be seen by all. Yet, there is a disconnect between a typical undergraduate lecture and, for example, where a planet may be in the sky and how to observe it. With the advent of moderate cost, high-quality 'back-garden' astronomy, and standard computers powerful enough to produce original research, we show it is possible to build a small observatory capable of actual astrophysical research for a modest budget [approximately equal to]£30 000. We detail the iterative process of planning, funding, results and student-projects, that we followed over 4 years from a Raspberry Pi camera and home-owned telescope, to a permanent roll-top observatory with two fully automated telescope systems capable of undergraduate use and astronomical science. We report on projects ranging from early-years projects based on observational planning, data analysis and some restricted actual observations, to more open-ended final-year projects to observe, e.g. planetary transits, variable stars or high-resolution planetary imaging. We hope this work may act as a blue-print or encourage and aid other small to medium sized higher-education institutions and astrophysics groups to also develop their own undergraduate observatory. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	IOP Publishing. 190 North Independence Mall West Suite 601, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: ped@ioppublishing.org; Web site: https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0031-9120
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01