NASA's space science researchers control some of the world's most sophisticated space probes and orbiting telescopes to get amazing images of objects in space. Now YOU can join them by operating your OWN ground-based "MicroObservatories" - real robotic telescopes that you command through this website!
MicroObservatory is a network of automated telescopes that can be controlled over the Internet. The telescopes were developed by scientists and educators at the HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics and were designed to enable youth nationwide to investigate the wonders of the deep sky from their classrooms or after-school centers.
They are located and maintained at observatories affiliated with the Center for Astrophysics, including the Harvard College Observatory in Cambridge, MA and the Whipple Observatory in Amado, AZ.
Quick laboratory facts:
Science subject: Astronomy
Offered by: Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Teacher and learning material offered: Here it is possible to download lots of material, such as teacher guide, a student/learner guide, documentations, etc
Academic publications on pedagogical lab use: Sadler, P. M., Gould, R., Leiker, P. S., Antonucci, P., Kimberk, R., Deutsch, F., & Hoffman, B. 2001, "MicroObservatory Net: A Network of Automated Remote Telescopes Dedicated to Educational Use," Journal of Science Education and Technology, 10(1), 39.
Activities
Moon's Craters During this activity students will have a look in detail at images of the Moon to determine whether the density, size and appearance of craters vary across the lunar surface.
Galaxy Classification and Formation The following exercise aims to introduce the concept of varying galactic morphologies. Students will look in detail at images of numerous galaxies and you will attempt to classify them according to the Hubble Classification Scheme. Moreover, you will try to investigate the origin of the shapes of the galaxies that stem from galaxy interactions.
UniSchooLabS is funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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