UKAT: University of Kentucky
Australian Telescope
Planning[1]
for a Remotely Operated Astronomical Observatory in Australia
There exists the possibility for the University of Kentucky to establish a research grade robotic observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a description of what is envisioned if funding is obtained for UKAT - a high grade research and teaching tool for undergraduate education at the University of Kentucky and for K-12 students in the commonwealth.
UKAT will consist of several elements. The telescope will be located in southwestern Australia, at Siding Spring, a region of clear dark skies and site of Australia's finest national observatories . The telescope will be directed from the University of Kentucky by computer linkage in real time. University of Kentucky students and researchers will use it for the general study of astronomy and for undergraduate research projects. Kentucky citizens will be able to view the spectacular southern skies in real time.
UKAT will be one of the new generation of remotely operated telescopes. It will be a uniquely powerful tool for educating students about science. Such education is imperative for Kentucky to advance as a state and for the University of Kentucky to advance as a research institution. Astronomy, more than any other science, fascinates young people and can get them interested in science for the long term. Hands-on experience is critical in getting students interested and educated. The best way for a student to learn science is to do science. Clearly, astronomy is an ideal field for ushering students into science. The skies are always there for us to look at and wonder about. An observatory is an ideal educational tool, and one currently not present in the Bluegrass.
In building such an observatory:
1) We would have a perfect observing site adjacent to Siding Spring Observatory, Australia's national observing facility, the site of the Anglo-Australian telescope. No pollution, dark skies, and clear nights would provide for excellent "seeing."
2) Night in Australia is day here. University students as well as K-12 students from Kentucky would be able to work on the telescope and observe the night sky during school hours, something we could not possibly accomplish with a local observatory.
3) The magnificent Southern Skies would be observable with this telescope. Many famous astronomical objects, Sirius, Alpha-Centauri, the Magellanic Clouds etc. are Southern objects.
This is an unique opportunity for Kentucky, innovative and trail blazing. We could create international collaboration for cutting-edge observational and teaching technology for a very
reasonable investment..
The policy of the U.S. National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) calls for
it to:
Develop curricula that provide opportunities for all students and adults to study science and technology problems.
Emphasize in elementary school learning science concepts and science processes through the use of activities that involve manipulation of equipment and student thinking about the activity.
Integrate mathematics, social studies and health, where possible with elementary school science.
Develop and implement science curricula that integrate appropriate technology.
Design science classrooms that reflect technological advances in communications.
Share findings from student investigations worldwide through telecommunication.
Make science learning more efficient and effective through computers.
Construct, equip, and supply appropriate science teaching facilities.
UKAT will help Kentucky teachers and university instructors to meet and exceed every one of these objectives.
One of the obvious problems in using hands-on astronomy in young people’s education is that it can usually be taught only at night and only when the sky is clear. The Bluegrass has no true dark sky sites. These problems are overcome by the UKAT telescope. When it is day in the Bluegrass, it is night in Australia. Kentucky students will use the facility during their normal school hours. The telescope will be located at one of the prime dark sky areas in Australia, Siding Spring, where Australia’s national Observatory is located. Though the telescope will be cared for by professionals at the site, control of the telescope and dome will be performed from Lexington, Kentucky through a computer link. This telescope will provide unparalleled opportunities for students to learn science by doing science.
Figure 1: The Muhlenberg Observatory in Siding Spring, Australia. The dish is the satellite link with Muhlenberg College, PA, USA. In the background is the dome housing the 154-inch Anglo-Australian Observatory.
Today, about 80 of the world’s professional telescopes are robotic. Robotic telescopes are the way of the future in observational astronomy. A few universities have robotic telescopes for their undergraduates situated on or near their campus. Students can access the telescope images from campus computers using internet connections. For a US institution to have a telescope in Australia, at a professional observing site, using Australia’s dark skies and the advantage of daytime observing by US students during Australia’s night is a unique idea that Muhlenberg College and the director of Observatory Resources Pty. Ltd., John Shobbrook have successfully launched. It is an idea that deserves serious consideration for the University of Kentucky
Telescope
requirements
Basic requirements for a fully robotic remotely controlled observatory include:
A dark-sky observatory site
with mains power connected
A remotely controllable
observatory building
A telescope optical tube
A telescope mount
A pier
A CCD camera
A robotic focuser
A color filter wheel
A computer with an eight
serial port card fitted
Software to operate the
telescope, CCD camera, focuser, filter wheel and dome
A two-way high speed
internet link
An internet addressable
power strip
A UPS, surge protector and
back-up power supply
A telephone line into the
observatory
An all-sky camera access
Access to a local weather
satellite service
A suitably experienced
person to install and service the equipment and provide security at the
observatory site
(Optional) A web camera inside the
observatory
Figure 2. The Muhlenberg telescope, located inside the dome shown in Figure 1.
Technical support in Australia for UKAT would be supplied by Dr. John Dawe, Honorary Senior Research Scientist, Anglo-Australian Observatory and the former Astronomer-In-Charge of the U.K. Schmidt Telescope and Manager of Siding Spring Observatory, and by Mr. John Shobbrook, Director, Observatory Resources Pty. Ltd. Some cost estimates and equipment descriptions are already available from the Muhlenberg observatory. Specific information will be sought that includes upgrades or different equipment more appropriate to the research and teaching needs of the University of Kentucky.
A further project, is a collaboration with Greg Luhan, a faculty member in UK’s School of Design, to create a domed room in which the Southern sky as seen from Siding Spring by UKAT will be projected. The room will contain a model replica of the telescope that is controlled identically to the remote telescope. This “viewing room” will be used by school groups to learn about astronomy as well as the scientific use of a telescope. It will also be used by undergraduate students doing serious research to get a feel for the environment at the actual site.