Rigel: A Robotic Observatory for Undergraduate Astronomy Education

Rigel：用于本科天文学教育的机器人天文台

• 批准号: 9952594
• 负责人: Robert Mutel
• 金额: $ 22.6万
• 依托单位: University of Iowa
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-04-01 至 2004-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9952594&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Rigel; Robotic; Observatory; Undergraduate; Astronomy

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.

天文学 (11) 该项目正在开发一个原型机器人天文台，设计用于本科生天文学实验室。目标是开发一个包含软件和课程的集成系统，可以以合理的成本“交钥匙”购买以供本科生教学实验室使用。研究望远镜制造商 Torus Technologies 正在参与该望远镜的开发并营销该望远镜。这种方法的教育优势在于，它允许大量学生以具有科学意义的方式设计和分析他们自己对各种天体的天文观测。这对于传达所有科学研究的核心发现的兴奋感和发现感至关重要。天文台硬件由 37 厘米反射望远镜、成像相机、滤光片和光谱仪组成，安装在紧凑的玻璃纤维圆顶中，在断电时具有故障安全关闭功能故障或天气紧急情况。所有硬件均由中央计算机控制，可通过基于网络浏览器的软件进行访问。数据分析软件和课程描述也主要基于网络，其中一些本机二进制文件是为特定平台构建的。该软件设计针对速度、易用性以及与各种操作系统的兼容性进行了优化。课程材料基于爱荷华大学现有的天文学实验室课程，其中开创性的自动望远镜设施已成功使用五年多。