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Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network: Keeping Education in the Dark

Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network: Keeping Education in the Dark. Rachel J. Ross Global Hands On Universe July 2007. Photo by: Rob Ratkowski, Maui. Who are we?.

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Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network: Keeping Education in the Dark

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  1. Las Cumbres ObservatoryGlobal Telescope Network:Keeping Education in the Dark Rachel J. Ross Global Hands On Universe July 2007 Photo by: Rob Ratkowski, Maui

  2. Who are we? • Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, Inc. is a science and education organization that is building the tools and resources to create a cutting edge science and innovative education program. Our team includes scientists, engineers, educators, and more.

  3. Currently … • 2 two-meter telescopes • FTN: Haleakala, Maui • FTS: Siding Spring Observatory, Australia • Major renovations to both • Primarily being used by UK schools • Designing and building ~28 0.4 meter telescopes • First group to be deployed mid-2008 at Sedgwick Reserve • Maui and Siding Spring Observatory to follow

  4. The Telescope Network • When completed, the entire network will contain: • Two 2.0m telescopes for follow-up science observations • ~28 1.0m telescopes for science, in clusters of four in rings in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres • ~28 0.4m telescopes for education, in clusters of four in rings in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres • All with high quality, science-grade instrumentation

  5. Where Will The Telescopes Be? ? ? ? ? ?

  6. Why a Remote Controlled Telescope Network? • You can view the night sky in the middle of the day using a telescope on the other side of the world • There will always be a telescope in the dark • You can make long observations of transients and variable stars • Use the network as an “unblinking eye” • Rapid responses to unexpected phenomena • You can observe from anywhere with a broadband internet connection!

  7. Brief Background of LCOGTN Education • Dill Faulkes Educational Trust: got FTP going • Dream to provide science education program to the UK • TTL built both FTN and FTS • ARI of LJMU operates the FTs • Cardiff University hosts the FTP educational program • LCOGTN bought the FTs • Will continue the UK program • Spreading farther around the world • LCOGTN is an international organization

  8. Current Education Network • LCOGTN teams in Santa Barbara, CA and Cardiff, Wales • Affiliated teams at University of Hawaii and Australian National University • Creating partnerships and affiliations with US and international educational organizations • EU-HOU and British Council funded pilot programs in Poland, Portugal, France, Russia

  9. Education Plans With the Telescope Network in the Future • Real-time or queued observing modes • Partnering between schools internationally • Streaming and “Podcast” type astronomy sessions • Online journal of observations • Online resources and tools • Online astronomy workshops, teacher training and IT workshops • And more!

  10. Our Mission … The mission of LCOGTN is to transform science education at all levels by changing learning to a primarily investigative experience. We will set the standard to which international science programs aspire. Strategies: • We will provide world-class facilities which inspire and excite learners at all levels to engage in scientific inquiry. • We will demonstrate the effectiveness of the LCOGTN approach at a number of international sites.   • Real time. Real science. Real scientists. We will improve what we have while creating new and better programs!

  11. And … • Where we are currently: • Expanding the UK program into the US, as well as select countries in Europe and Russia (via EU-HOU and the British Council) • Why we are here: • To keep developing partnerships with people and groups who are already doing great things

  12. Pretty Pictures 

  13. We Will Always Keep You In The Dark! www.LCOGT.net

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