THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REMOTELY CONTROLLED OBSERVATORY AT ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

INSTRUMENTATION AND LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

GRANT: DUE-9751737

Project Summary: The Department of Physics at Angelo State University has had a substantial involvement in astronomy education over the last eleven years. Programs have included public and school planetarium programs, teacher education courses, university astronomy classes, and student and faculty research projects. Astronomy classes are the most popular of the service courses offered in the Department of Physics, and the planetarium was visited by over 100,000 non-university guests during its first ten years of operation. In addition, faculty and students in the Physics Department have begun a vigorous program of stellar photometry research projects that has resulted in faculty and student papers and presentations at professional and student meetings.

Remotely controlled and robotic astronomical observatories are now a reality, and several are currently operating successfully. Telescopes in these observatories are controlled via telephone lines by completely remote operators who are in some cases thousands of miles away from the observatory. Robotic or automatic telescopes can be programmed to run completely independent of the astronomer, making numerous observations throughout the entire night while the astronomer sleeps. But sleep is not the main justification for robotic observing. A truly robotic telescope opens new avenues of research, teaching, and community outreach.

A remotely controlled and robotic telescope is a logical extension of the previous efforts of Angelo State University in astronomy education and research. This facility will be a multiple-use facility touching on all aspects of the University's mission, including university teaching, teacher education, research, and community outreach. It will also provide an avenue for the University to begin a distance education program with area high schools. There are many more useful projects available for the proposed remote and robotic observatory than can possibly be accomplished. The observatory would remain continuously active for the foreseeable future

Current Situation. The Department of Physics offers two introductory astronomy lecture courses (Physics 1301, Fundamentals of Astronomy and Physics 1302, Solar System Astronomy) and two one-hour laboratory courses (Physics 1101, Stellar Astronomy Laboratory and Physics 1102, Solar System Astronomy Laboratory). Multiple sections of Physics 1301 are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters along with single sections of Physics 1302, 1101, and 1102. Two sections of astronomy are also regularly offered during the summer sessions. Typical annual total enrollment in these astronomy classes exceeds 800 students. The laboratory classes are currently using the laboratory manual Student Observation Guide with Laboratory Exercises by Michael Seeds and Joseph Holzinger. This book uses exercises that are largely self-contained. Each laboratory course is also supplemented with computer "observation" exercises from CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) and TS-24 Telescope Simulator software. In addition, night observing sessions giving students an opportunity to observe celestial objects through small portable telescopes are scheduled for each class. However, the sizes of the laboratory classes makes this "hands-on" segment of these classes extremely difficult to manage.

The vast majority of students enrolled in all the astronomy classes are non-science majors. They are primarily business and education majors. Many of these students seem to generally lack positive science experiences.

In addition to the astronomy classes, the Department teaches a large number of non-science majors in its introductory physical science class. Introductory Physical Science (Physical Science 1301 and 1302 plus labs) includes a section on astronomy. The majority of students enrolled in introductory physical science are not science majors, and many of them have been low achievers in science courses in the past. Approximately 200 students enroll in this class each year. The Advanced Physical Science (Physical Science 3311 and 3312) course is composed entirely of education majors. Annual enrollment in advanced physical science is about 200 students. Hands-on science experiences are particularly important for education majors. This course is taught using a hands-on and conceptual laboratory curriculum (Powerful Ideas in Physical Science) developed by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

My teacher education projects have included in-service workshops for the San Angelo Independent School District (1987-1991) and summer courses funded through the Eisenhower Science and Mathematics Program (1990 & 1991). These projects have emphasized hands-on astronomy activities for elementary and secondary school teachers. Activities from national curriculum projects such as Elementary Science Study, University of Illinois Astronomy Project, Project STAR, Project ASTRO, Project SPICA, Harvard Project Physics, and other locally developed astronomy materials were used in all of these projects.

The University Planetarium located in the Vincent Science Building is the teaching site for all the astronomy and introductory physical science classes. Classes are taught using a variety of media that are available in the planetarium theater, including video projection (laser disk, VHS, cable and satellite television), computer screen projection, the star projector, slides, special effects projectors, and overhead transparencies. Internet access is to be added to the planetarium during the 1996-97 school year. Multimedia courseware for Physics 1301 (Fundamentals of Astronomy) and Physical Science 1301 and 1302 (Introduction to Physical Science) was developed by Department of Physics faculty (Sonntag & Wallace, 1996) during the summer of 1996 using PODIUM multimedia development software. This project took full advantage of the planetarium's multimedia teaching capabilities. This software will be adapted for individual student use. There is an ongoing effort to evaluate (student evaluation of instruction) and improve teaching methods in the planetarium and to try to use the planetarium to its greatest teaching potential.

In addition to its university use, the planetarium is also used to provide astronomy programming for area school groups and the general public. School planetarium programs are given on a variety of topics. Programs have been designed to accommodate all grades, kindergarten through high school. During the first ten years of planetarium operation, over 64,000 K-12 students have visited the planetarium.

Regularly scheduled public planetarium programs are also offered. During the academic year, Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon shows are given. In addition to regularly scheduled planetarium shows, a large number of special event programs such as eclipses, Comet Halley and other bright comets, meteor showers, planet oppositions, and other celestial events have been given. Most of these events included visitors viewing celestial objects through telescopes.

Research efforts in observational astronomy at Angelo State University have concentrated on photoelectric photometry of relatively bright variable stars. Local faculty research enhancement funds have been used to purchase a solid-state stellar photometer (Optec SSP-3A). This instrument is used in combination with a portable (Meade 10" LX200) telescope. Stellar photometry lends itself well to a relatively small telescope (Percy, 1986). During the last three years, many observations of variable stars by students and faculty have been recorded. This backyard observing approach has been actively producing good data and is summarized in Table 1.TABLE 1

*Based on an average of three star observations per night.

Under the current observing schedule, efforts have resulted in publications and presentations at professional meetings (Sonntag, 1995 and Hines, 1994). Students have received class credit (Physics 4191-3) for these research projects. Angelo State University has supported these projects with local faculty research enhancement funds and the Carr Academic Student Research Funds.

Efforts to expand astronomical research opportunities for undergraduates at Angelo State University have resulted in collaborative studies with the University of Texas at Austin, McDonald Observatory (Sonntag, 1995) and the American Association of Variable Star Observers (Photoelectric Photometry Project). At Angelo State University, these collaborations involve undergraduate students doing "real" research.

Development Plan. A remotely controlled telescope allows the observer to control all aspects of the telescope's motions, scientific instruments (CCD camera or aperture photometer), and dome operations via telephone lines. It also is capable of downloading data from the scientific instruments directly to the computer of the astronomer at home or office. A robotic or automatic telescope has the additional feature of completing all the functions listed above for a pre-determined set of observations all night long.

But just adding additional observations to a data base is not the only benefit. An automatic telescope will open up new avenues of research and improve research already undertaken at Angelo State University. Many research projects require data taken regularly over long periods of time. Some stars vary irregularly with periods of weeks or months. Some have periods that are near the Earth's rotation period, and some have periods less than a day. It is almost impossible for astronomers to study such stars from traditional observatories. Astronomers with daylight duties cannot observe every night for months at a time or single evening all night long. An automatic photometric telescope can support this kind of research. This proposal for a remote access telescope would be used in a large-group, small-group, and individual student setting.

Even the largest lecture classes can have a positive telescope experience with images "live" from the telescope being projected onto the planetarium dome. The planetarium "sky" would be used to orient students to the current evening sky, as real-time images from the remote telescope are projected onto the planetarium dome. Night observing sessions featuring the moon, planets, multiple star systems, nebulae, and galaxies would be scheduled for all sections of introductory astronomy classes.

The remote access telescope would also be used by individual or small groups of students for observing projects, as part of the laboratory courses. Our current astronomy laboratory classes would be taught with an emphasis on observations in a hands-on approach using observation oriented exercises such as those found in Investigations in Observational Astronomy (Christiansen, 1978) or Introductory Astronomy Exercises (Ferguson, 1990). A possible example is given in Appendix E. Also, some the activities from the computer simulations currently used in the astronomy laboratory courses (Project CLEA and TS-24) can be adapted such that real data would be collected by students using the remotely controlled telescope.

The addition of a remotely controlled telescope will add a new perspective to our hands-on approach to astronomy teacher education. This facility can give both future elementary and secondary school teachers actual research experiences as a part of Advanced Physical Science 3311/3312. This aspect of teacher science education has been woefully lacking in the past. In-service summer workshops could also benefit from a remotely controlled telescope. Teachers attending "Hands-On Astronomy" or "Hands-On Astrophysics" workshops will be taught how to access our remote observatory from their own classrooms.

Excellent undergraduate instruction in science is needed by this large group of future business leaders, teachers, and literate citizens that enroll in our astronomy and physical science classes. A remotely controlled observatory would help our Department improve our undergraduate science instruction and directly impact about 1,200 students each year.

Following each evening public planetarium program, those attending could be shown a "live" image from the remote access telescope (weather permitting). This image would be projected onto the dome. In addition to the regularly scheduled planetarium programs, special celestial events (eclipses, comets, planet oppositions, and other similar events.) would use the remote access telescope with these typically large groups.

Undergraduate student research projects will be greatly augmented by the addition of a remotely controlled telescope and particularly if this telescope can also be automated. This telescope would allow for observations made with remote control in real time or in a completely robotic mode. This observatory will provide a wealth of data for student researchers. The research emphasis will be on stellar photometry with both a non-imaging photometer and CCD imaging camera, CCD imaging, and image processing. Students may also be involved in collaborations with other instructions. Current collaborations (University of Texas, McDonald Observatory and AAVSO) will be improved with the ability to make many more observations. It is highly desirable to observe each one of the stars in these programs as often as possible. An automatic photometric telescope would be ideal for these projects that require numerous repetitive observations.

There are also numerous (weekly) calls for observations of cataclysmic variables (novas and supernovas) from the AAVSO. Often these observations are coordinated with observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope or other space telescopes. The observing program for a robotic telescope could easily be modified to include these fast-changing astronomical events. Some variable stars (RR Lyrae, Delta Scuti, and Beta Can Maj) have periods of variation that are quite short - much shorter than a day. These stars normally require numerous observations during a single night (Cooper & Walker, 1989). Since the robotic telescope requires no sleep, these stars could be added to the current list of research projects, if an automatic photometric telescope were available.

One of the most exciting areas of recent astronomical research has been the search and discovery of planets orbiting distance stars. A number of planets have been detected in just the last two years (Boss, 1996). Frequent monitoring of the photometric brightnesses of these stars may reveal evidence of an unseen companion. If a planet is orbiting with its orbital plane perpendicular to the plane of the sky, then the planet will periodically occult the star. An Earth-sized planet orbiting at 1 astronomical unit would reduce the star's brightness by a small but perhaps detectable amount. An automatic photometric telescope similar in size to the one recommended for this project may have detected planet eclipses around the star CM Draconis (Sky & Telescope, 1996). The regular and consistent observation of these stars by the proposed Angelo State University robotic telescope could potentially make a similar discovery. This would be an important project to add to our current observing list.

There are also solar system research projects that can benefit from a remotely controlled telescope. These projects normally include very high speed continuous observations of occultation (eclipse) events.

West Texas elementary schools can use a remote access telescope to supplement their astronomy curriculum. The images could be downloaded directly to the school or to the Department of Physics. The focus of these observations would be very much in keeping with the previously established hands-on approach to astronomy education. After appropriate training, teachers could conduct remote observations with their students from their own classrooms. Telescope observing time would be scheduled through the observatory director.

West Texas high schools can use a remote access telescope as part of a "Hands-On Astrophysics" curriculum. A set of observing projects could be used as laboratory activities for regular high school courses in physics, physical science, earth science, computer science, and math; project work for science fairs and independent research projects; and a focus for enrichment courses, summer science courses and camps, and science clubs. Students will be able to experience the excitement of doing real science with real data. The research emphasis will be on variable star photometry, CCD imaging, and image processing (Lantz, p.84). By carrying out all aspects of the research process, students can develop and integrate a wide range of skills in science, math, computing, and other areas. "Hands-On Astrophysics" (a NSF funded project developed by the American Association of Variable Star Observers) can serve as a project that introduces the Department of Physics to the potential of distance learning activities and extend our community service role throughout West Texas.

A remotely controlled and robotic telescope is a logical extension of the previous efforts of Angelo State University in astronomy education and research. This facility will be a multiple-use facility touching on all aspects of the University's mission, including university teaching, teacher education, research, and community outreach. It will also provide an avenue for the University to begin a distance education program with area high schools. There are many more useful projects available for the proposed remote and robotic observatory than can possibly be accomplished. The observatory would remain continuously active for the foreseeable future.

Equipment. An observatory site twenty five miles south-southwest of San Angelo, Texas will be sought. Although the site must be remote, far away from city and ranch guard lights, it must also have access to power and telephone lines. Prospective donors have been identified, and we anticipate no problem in obtaining an appropriate observatory site.

The observatory building ($23,625) will be provided by Angelo State University. The telescope enclosure recommended is capable of complete remote control operation, including a dome opening that automatically aligns with the direction the telescope is pointing. The Pro-Dome^@ (Technical Innovations, Inc.) is a 15 foot diameter dome, and when used with Dome-Wizard (Technical Innovations, Inc.) software, all dome functions can be controlled from a remote site. Dome-Wizard features off-the-shelf hardware and software, continuous feedback on the status of the dome system, a fail-safe computer controlled shutdown, and future expansion to support full automatic operation.

The telescope recommended for this project is a Celestron 0.4 meter (14") f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain tube and optics combined with a Paramount GT-1100 telescope mount and drive system. The mount and drive system were designed specifically for a remotely controlled telescope application and have the high precision pointing ability that is required for this project. The Celestron telescope has sufficient aperture to expand current observing capabilities. This telescope will allow us observe stars about two times fainter than with the currently used telescope.

An aperture (non-imaging) photometer and a CCD (charged couple device) camera will ensure that the observatory has a wide range of astrophysical research capabilities. The Optec SSP-7 precision photoelectric photometer (Optec, Inc.) is recommended for the proposed observatory. This photometer's operations can be completely computer controlled using either robotic or remotely controlled telescopes. It uses a multi-alkali, Peltier cooled photomultiplier tube with a spectral response range from 185 to 830 nanometers. When used with the Celestron 14" telescope, the SSP-7 photometer will allow observations with the same precision for stars that are approximately four magnitudes (40 times) fainter than is possible with our current equipment. The advantage is even greater at the blue end of the spectrum. Using our available small-format CCD camera (Lynxx PC Plus) this photometer can be operated from a remote site and still offer full previewer capabilities for accurate positioning of the star on the detector.

The Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG) ST-8 imaging CCD camera provides an exceptionally wide field of view with a precision design that can produce photometric quality images. This camera will be suitable for photometry of supernovas in distant galaxies and extended objects such as nebulas. The SBIG ST-8 is completely controllable at a remote site using the SkyPro CCD camera software (Software Bisque, Inc.).

A standard desktop PC computer is required at the observatory site. This computer will link the incoming telephone line communications to the telescope, dome, and scientific instruments and can also be used by an on-site observer to operate all aspects of the observatory. It should have the highest speed commercial modem currently available.

TheSky astronomy software (Software Bisque, Inc.) will be used to drive the telescope. This software is currently being employed to move and point the telescope now being used in Angelo State University research projects. SkyPro CCD astronomy software will be used to operate the CCD camera and perform image-processing. Both TheSky and SkyPro software have been used successfully to remotely control telescopes and CCD cameras at Mt. Wilson Observatory and to transfer data to the remote observer. The Optec SSP-7 has its own internal CMOS computer to link to the PC for fully automatic photometry.

Faculty Expertise. The principal investigator has had twenty three years of astronomy education experience, five years of experience in photoelectric photometry, and has recently published a paper in a refereed journal (Sonntag, 1995) and is in the process of preparing another. He holds the rank of professor and is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Physics at Angelo State University. He attended a NSF sponsored astronomy research workshop ("Research Techniques for Undergraduate Faculty at Small Universities") at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics recently (June, 1993). This workshop emphasized photoelectric photometry as an avenue of undergraduate research. He has supervised six undergraduate student research projects over the last five years in the area of stellar photoelectric photometry.

Dissemination and Evaluation. The results of this project will be presented as a paper at a regional astronomy education conference (Southwest Association of Planetariums) and possibly an international conference (International Planetarium Society). A paper will also be prepared that is suitable for publication in both astronomy education (PLANETARIAN and Mercury) and professional astronomy (Communications of the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Society) journals. Results of this project will also be available on a world wide web home page.

The effectiveness of this project will be judged by the number of undergraduate non-science majors that use this facility, the number of undergraduate research projects that are generated through the use of this facility, the number of undergraduate research paper generated, the number of area pre-college students that use the facility, and the number of general public that are benefitted by use of this facility.

Boss, Alan P., "Extra solar Planets", Physics Today, pp. 32-38, September, 1996.

Christiansen, Wayne A., Kaitchuck, Ronald H., & Kaitchuck, Michelle D., Investigations in Observational Astronomy, Paladin House, Publishers, 1978.

Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy (CLEA), A NSF project at Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

"CM Draconis's Enigmatic Eclipses", Sky & Telescope, Volume 92, Number 3 (September, 1996), p. 10.

Cooper, W.A. and Walker, E.N., Getting the Measure of the Stars, Adam Hilger, Philadelphia, 1989.

Ferguson, Dale C., Introductory Astronomy Exercises, Wadsworth, Inc., 1990.

Genet, Russell M. & Hayes, Donald S., Robotic Observatories, Fairborn Press, Mesa, Arizona, 1989.

Hall, Douglas S., Genet, Russell M., & Thurston, Betty L., Editors, Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes, Fairborn Press, Mesa, Arizona, 1986.

Hayes, Donald S. & Genet, Russell M., Automatic Small Telescopes, Fairborn Press, Mesa , Arizona, 1989.

Hayes, Donald S. & Genet, Russell M., Remote Access Automatic Telescopes, Fairborn Press, Mesa, Arizona, 1989.

Henden, Arne A. & Kaitchuck, Ronald H., Astronomical Photometry, Willmann-Bell, Inc, Richmond, Virginia, 1990.

Hines, Charles D., Photometric Observations of Beta Lyrae, paper presented at Society of Physics Students meeting, Houston, Texas, March, 1994.

Lantz, Stephen; Holcomb, Daryl; and Burke, Robert; "Cutting-edge Astronomy in the Classroom", Sky & Telescope, February, 1996, pp. 84-85.

Moore, Patrick, Editor, Small Astronomical Observatories, Springer, London, 1996

O'Connor, Erin, "Remote Access Astronomy", The Science Teacher, March, 1994, pp. 49-52.

Percy, John, R., Editor, The Study of Variable Stars Using Small Telescopes, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1986.

Powerful Ideas in Physical Science: A Model Course, American Association of Physics Teachers, College Park, MD 20740-3845, 1995.

Richmond, Michael W., "Automatic Photometry at Leuschner Observatory", Communications of the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Association, No. 55, Spring, 1994, pp. 21-30.

Schmidke, Paul C. and Hopkins, Jeffrey L., Workbook for Astronomical Photoelectric Photometry, HPO DeskTop Publishing, Phoenix, Arizona, 1990.

Seeds, Michael A., "The Phoenix 10 Automatic Photometric Telescope: Robotic Service Observing", Communications of the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Association, No. 56, Summer, 1994, pp. 23-30.

Seeds, Michael Seeds & Holzinger, Joseph, Student Observation Guide with Laboratory Exercises, Prentice Hall, 1995.

Software Bisque, Inc., Golden, Colorado

Sonntag, Mark S., "BV Photometry of Beta Lyrae", Communications of the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Association, No. 61, Fall, 1995, pp. 56-62.

Sonntag, Mark S., "Differential BV Photometry of Selected K and M Giant Stars", Faculty Research Enhancement Final Report, Angelo State University, Available from Porter Henderson Library, 1995.

Sonntag, Mark S., "Hands-On Astronomy", PLANETARIAN, 21, No. 4, 1992, pp. 13-14.

Sonntag, Mark S. & Wallace, Andrew B., "Large-Group Multimedia Computer Assisted Instruction for Physics 1301 (Fundamentals of Astronomy) and Physical Science 1301-1302 (Introduction to Physical Science)", Curriculum Development Summer Grant, Angelo State University, 1996.

TS-24 Telescope Simulator, Crystal Lake Observatory, 10175 SW Greenridge Lane, Palm City, Florida 34990.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Science Education, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1981. Dissertation: "An Experimental Study of Teaching Method, Spatial Orientation Ability, and Achievement in Selected Topics of Positional Astronomy".

M.A.T. in Planetarium Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 1973.

A.B. in Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1971.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professor of Physics & Planetarium Director, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

1996 - present

Associate Professor of Physics & Planetarium Director (tenured in 1992), Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas.

1990 - 1996

Assistant Professor of Physics & Planetarium Director, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas.

1985 - 1990

Planetarium Director, Aldrin Planetarium, South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, Florida.

1983 - 1985

Education Director, Hansen Planetarium, Salt Lake City, Utah.

1980 - 1983

Educational Programs Specialist, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.

1976 - 1980

Planetarium Director, Pierce Planetarium, Merrillville Community School District, Merrillville, Indiana.

1973 - 1976

Planetarium Teaching Assistant, Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

1972 -1973

Science Teacher, Merrillville Community School District, Merrillville, Indiana.

1971 - 1972

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS

"BV Photometry of Beta Lyrae", Communications of the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Association, No. 61, Fall, 1995, pp. 56-62.

"Hands-On Astronomy", PLANETARIAN, 21, No. 4, 1992, pp. 13-14.

"Spatial Ability, Sex, & Science", PLANETARIAN, 16, No. 4, 1988, pp. 37-41.

"Research in Science Education 1984", PLANETARIAN, 16, No. 2, 1987, p. 66.

"Mathematics Concepts in Commonly Used Secondary School Textbooks and Possible Implications for Post-Secondary Astronomy Education", PLANETARIAN, 13, No. 3, 1985, p. 30.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Methods of teacher education in astronomy topics. National Science Foundation, Faculty Research, & Eisenhower grants included exploring the interaction of spatial ability and the understanding of positional astronomy topics. A paper reporting the outcome of these studies was presented at the biennial meeting of the International Planetarium Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 1992. Summaries were also published in the PLANETARIAN.

Stellar Photometry. BV photoelectric photometry of relatively bright classical cepheid variable stars ( Aquilae and Cephei and eclipsing binaries Lyrae & Persei). BV photometry of selected K and M giant stars, collaborative project with University of Texas, McDonald Observatory. Supervision of student research projects in stellar photometry.

NSF-sponsored workshop, "Research Techniques for Undergraduate Faculty at Small Observatories", participant. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass., Summer, 1993.

Carr Undergraduate Student Research Project. Supervised student research project during the 1993-94 school year. "Photoelectric Photometry of Lyrae".

SUPERVISION OF STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

1996 "Photoelectric Photometry of Stars with Planets"

Ronald Phinney

1996 "Photoelectric Photometry of SU Cygni"

Danny Saucer

1994 "BV Photometry of Selected K and M Giant Stars"

Russell Tarver & Kevin Bailey

1993 "BV Photometry of Beta Lyrae"

Charles Hines

Carr Undergraduate Research Fellowship

1991 "Stellar Photometry of Beta Lyrae"

Jeff Foreman

COLLABORATORS

William Cochran, McDonald Observatory, University of Texas

GRADUATE ADVISOR

Harold Anderson, University of Colorado

BUDGET

Scientific and Computing Equipment

Celestron 14", f/10 Telescope Tube and Optics $ 5,000

Paramount GT-1100 Telescope Mount System $ 7,600

Telescope Pier $ 650

Dome-Wizard Dome/Telescope Control $10,000

Computer Interface and Data Reduction Software

TheSky telescope control software, Level IV $ 199

Sky Pro CCD astronomy software $ 159

Remote Astronomy software and remote serial port $ 500

Mira AL image processing software $ 200

RPHOT Data Acquisition and Reduction software $ 329

SSPCARD, IBM Computer Interface Card $ 395

IBM PC, Pentium 166 Computer, 33600 modem, CD-ROM $ 2,800

Model SSP-7 Photoelectric Photometer, filters, & interface card $ 9,195

SBIG ST-8 CCD Camera $ 6,450

CCD Camera Filter Wheel and Filters $ 950

Subtotal $44,427

Shipping Costs $ 700

Required Taxes $ -

Equipment Subtotal $45,127

Total Project Cost $68,402

Non-NSF Contribution $45,838

PHYSICS 1101, STELLAR ASTRONOMY LABORATORY. Laboratory experiences to supplement Physics 1301. Topics included are stellar magnitudes and distances, spectroscopy and spectral classification, stellar evolution, stellar motions, galaxies, and cosmology. Some night observing sessions are optional. Offered Fall and Spring semesters. Approximately 100 students per year. Not required for majors.

PHYSICS 1102, SOLAR SYSTEM ASTRONOMY LABORATORY. Laboratory experiences to supplement Physics 1302. Topics included are planetary orbits, telescopic observations of planets and the moon, lunar features, comets, celestial coordinates, celestial sphere concepts. Some night observing sessions are optional. Offered Fall and Spring semesters. Approximately 50 students per year. Not required for majors.

PHYSICS 1301, FUNDAMENTALS OF ASTRONOMY. An introductory study of the current knowledge and techniques of astronomy. Stellar astronomy and cosmology will be emphasized. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Approximately 800 students per year. Recommended for majors.

PHYSICS 1302, ASTRONOMY OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM. The study of the current knowledge and techniques of astronomy as applied to the solar system. Information obtained from recent planetary probes and lunar exploration will be emphasized. Offered Fall, Spring, and sometimes Summer semesters. Approximately 200 students per year. Not required for majors.

PHYSICS 4391, RESEARCH. Individual research problems for superior students majoring in physics. May be repeated to a total of six semester hours credit. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Approximately 10 students per year. Recommended for majors.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1101/1102, INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY. Required laboratory experiences to supplement Physical Science 1301 and 1302. Offered Fall and Spring semesters. Approximately 200 students per year. Not required for majors.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1301/1302. INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE. An introduction to the foundations of physical science, including selected areas of physics, chemistry, space science, astronomy, and weather. Concurrent enrollment in laboratory required. Offered Fall and Spring semesters. Approximately 200 students per year. Not required for majors.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 3311/3312, PHYSICAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS. A study of physical systems and subsystems, interactions, variables, motion, energy, electricity, and magnetism. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Approximately 240 students per year. Not required for majors.

Class of 1992

Ahmed, Shafquat Grad Student at Oregon Graduate Research Institute

Choudhary, Deepak Did not return survey

Dass, Ronald I. Grad, Student at UT-Austin

Dhankhar, Ajay Grad Student at Yale University

Foreman, Jeffrey M. Did not return survey

Hoover, Kitzel W. Senior Computer Programmer

Varma, Anuj Grad Student at Cornell University

Wang, Jon-en Address unknown

Class of 1993

Albrecht, Warren C Address unknown

Alt, Christopher N. Graduate student at University of Hanover, Germany

Baker, James L. Did not return survey

Fletcher, Andrea L. Theatre Manager

Folsom, Robert T. USAF Pilot

Gross, Joachim Ph.D. student at Institute for Medicine, Juelich, Germany

Hademenos, Nicholas J Did not return survey

Hart, Kelvin D. Address unknown

Mahendra, Sumil Grad Student at Texas Tech University

Polanco, Michael Did not return survey

Rommelfanger, Stephen G. Grad Student at University of Wisconsin

Sethi, Prashant Software Engineer

Sheehe Charles J. Address unknown

Sherman, Charles Grad Student at University of North Texas

Smith, William D. Address unknown

Taylor, Mary Beth Did not return survey

Class of 1994

Borthakur, Arijitt Grad Student at University of Pennsylvania

Boyd, Robert A Grad Student at University of Texas (MD Anderson)

Collins, Gregory B. Did not return survey

Davis, Melvin Did not return survey

Hines, Charles D. Grad Student at University of Texas-Austin

Jenkins, Vincent M. Address unknown

Kushalnagar, Raja S. Grad Student

Needham, Andrew C. Surveyor

Weitz, Amanda D. Medical School-University of Texas

Zaman, Rashid Grad Student at University of Texas-El Paso

Class of 1995

Bailey, Andrew K. Software Developer

Barsch, Kenneth R. Did not return survey

Borthakur, Avijitt Grad Student at University of Maryland

Leuschen, Martin L. Grad Student at Rice University

Morgan, Bradford C.

Raj, Davesh Grad Student at Yale University

Tarver, Russell B. Grad Student at University of Texas (MD Anderson)

Class of 1996

Bedard, Brian L. Grad Student at University of Cincinnati

Gomes, Guynor G. Grad Student at Univ of Houston

Gunter, Danny L., Jr. Working at Ethicon, Inc.

Monroe, Kimberly D. USAF Pilot Training

1996 "Photoelectric Photometry of Stars with Planets"

Ronald Phinney

1996 "Photoelectric Photometry of SU Cygni"

Daniel Saucer

1994 "BV Photometry of Selected K and M Giant Stars"

Russell Tarver & Kevin Bailey

1993 "BV Photometry of Beta Lyrae"

Charles Hines, Carr Undergraduate Research Fellowship

1991 "Stellar Photometry of Beta Lyrae"

Jeff Foreman

Let's take a look at a typical "observing session", in which a student ("Sally") enrolled in Stellar Astronomy Laboratory (Physics 1101) has been assigned the homework problem of estimating the size of the Orion Nebula. Sally is an elementary education major and has no telescope experience, but she has seen the instructor operate the observatory using remote control. The observatory is 25 miles southwest of San Angelo, Texas in a dark location near Mertzon, Texas (Sally has no car!).

Sally has put off the assignment, but has no date this Friday, and is ready to do her work. Sally goes to the computer lab in the Vincent Science Building, sits down at a computer with a modem, and activates TheSKY software. Selecting "DOME" from the menu, she instructs the computer to call the telephone number given to her by the instructor. Fortunately for her, the line is not busy, and the modem connects to the computer in the observatory. This computer in the observatory operates the modem, keeps a log of actions at the observatory, and provides routing services for data to the telescope, CCD camera, and dome. This computer is also useful for on-site observatory operation.

Sally is prompted for a password, also given by her instructor (which will be changed at the end of the course). Before Sally can use the telescope, the dome must be opened. Sally selects the "DOME OPERATION" menu item, bringing up a dome control screen. This screen provides controls and data relevant to the dome operation, including shutter operation and dome rotation. Sally observes that the weather interlock is satisfied (that is, the wind and humidity detectors are within preset limits), and that the dome can be opened.

Sally decides to open the dome and clicks the appropriate box. The shutter begins opening and on the computer screen it shows in a data box as "percent open" and on a line graphic of the dome. She also notes that the motor current is within tolerances. She allows the shutter to open fully and shut itself off.

Sally is an adventurous person, so she decides to operate the dome manually for a while. She knows that her target object is in the southerly direction, so she enters 180 into the azimuth box and clicks on "GO". Sally watches the reported dome azimuth move toward 180, and again monitors the motor currents. When the dome arrives at 180, Sally decides to get on with her work and clicks on "AUTOMATIC" operation. The dome will now be slaved to the movements of the telescope. Sally exits the dome control scheme, and is back in TheSKY program. She clicks on "FIND/NEBULA/ORION", and the computer screen changes to show Orion at the center of the screen. Sally clicks on the Orion Nebula and receives a data box. She clicks on "MOVE TELESCOPE". The telescope and dome begin to move to the correct position, where she will begin tracking the object. Sally could check the telescope and/or dome position, however she assumes the equipment is operating properly and decides to move on to the CCD camera portion of the program.

Sally clicks on "CCD", bringing up screens that inform her of the CCD camera settings. She decides to change the timing to an exposure of 60 seconds. She clicks on the proper command, thus starting the CCD camera. A minute later she is informed that the exposure is complete, and she downloads the image. Not bad, only a few minutes of arc off center! She decides to proceed with her assignment and directs the CCD to take a series of images which she downloads to her computer for later processing. After about fifteen minutes she is finished and decides to log off. Just as she begins to log off, the connection is broken. Little does she know that power and telephone lines to the observatory have failed.

Meanwhile, in the observatory, the remote control system (operating off stage batteries) begins to "time" the power outage. After three minutes, the remote control system decides it is time to close up. The dome is directed to "go HOME" to the home position. The dome begins turning, and 30 seconds later it senses that it is in the "HOME" position. The remote control system now commands the shutter to close, and the motors begin operating. Now the remote control system finds that the current in the motors exceeds a preset limit (perhaps routine maintenance was not performed properly); however, knowing that this is an emergency closure, it allows the motors to continue so long as the current is below it own built-in limit. The shutter closes completely, and the dome and its contents are now secure.

The story has a happy ending. Several days later Sally remembered that the dome might not have closed itself, so she told her instructor that she could not shut the dome. The instructor logged on and found that the power and phone lines had been fixed and that the dome and contents were safe.