Planning for a Remote Robotic Observatory in Australia

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Due to the time zone differences between Kentucky and Australia, when it is 9:00 am in Lexington, it is 1:00 am at Siding Spring Observatory.

Australia is a technologically advanced, politically and financially stable ally of the United States.

Why in Australia?Why in Australia?

Unleash the power of the KAT Unleash the power of the KAT to prowl the nightto prowl the night

SUMMARY

We have explored the feasibility of and the need for building and operating a research grade robotic observatory in Siding Spring Australia. The advantages are dark, clear, southern skies and real time observing during class time. This would be a powerful tool for educating students about science. The idea has met with great enthusiasm by students and teachers and with much publicity.

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Where is Siding Spring Australia?

CONCLUSION

Such a telescope is possible and affordable.

Support for such an enterprise requires proof that such a facility will have pedagogical advantages over a local observatory or students obtaining archived images and data through the web. We plan to investigate these issue.

The UKATUKAT Telescope provides ...

Telescope requirementsBasic requirements for a fully robotic remotely controlled observatory include: A dark-sky observatory site with mains power connectedA remotely controllable observatory buildingA telescope optical tubeA telescope mountA pierA CCD cameraA robotic focuserA color filter wheelA computer with an eight serial port card fittedSoftware to operate the telescope, CCD camera, focuser, filter wheel and domeA two-way high speed internet linkAn internet addressable power stripA UPS, surge protector and back-up power supplyA telephone line into the observatoryAn all-sky camera accessAccess to a local weather satellite serviceA suitably experienced person to install and service the equipment and provide security at the observatory site

(Optional) A web camera inside the observatory

Rationale for a remote robotic 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 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.

We would locate near Siding Spring, one of the world’s major observatories. It is located in the southern hemisphere to take advantage of transparent, light and industrial pollution free skies.

Full telescope control from the classroom

Telescope control in real-time during class

The telescope adjoins Australia’s famous Siding Spring Observatory

Full professional observatory support

Our choice of hardware/software

A two-way satellite link

Images taken withThe Muhlenberg telescope