The Global Telescope Network Phil Plait Sonoma State University
The Sonoma State University Education and Public Outreach Group (SSU E/PO) Tim Graves Lynn CominskyAurore SimonnetSarah Silva Phil Plait Gordon Spear
What is E/PO? Education and Public Outreach Formal (in class) and informal activities Posters, flyers, brochures Doodads, gimmicks, doohickeys, and gizmos Websites, articles, etc. Science/astronomy promotion
Who’s Paying For It
GLAST Observes gamma rays High-energy objects Active galaxies, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, magnetic neutron stars, polars, solar flares Launches in 2007 (or so), 5+ year mission 350 M$ (+foreign $), with 1% to E/PO Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope
Active Galaxies Galaxies with unusually bright nuclei Emission lines (narrow and/or broad) Some have jets All appear to have black holes in the middle
Active Galaxies (2)
Pulsars Rapidly rotating neutron star Large magnetic field (>10 12 Earth) Many emit gamma rays, as well as radio, optical, X-rays Crab, Vela, GRO J
Pulsars (2)
The GLAST Resort Many or most of these sources emit across the electromagnetic spectrum, but GLAST only sees gamma rays! What can be done about this?
The Global (nee GLAST) Telescope Network International (multi-longitude) network of ground-based telescopes Purpose: to support GLAST science, and educate students about astronomy Funded through GLAST, but Swift and XMM-Newton are kicking in too Partners: AAVSO, RCT, Elk Creek Observatory, California Academy of Sciences Talking with other groups as well
Provide short, medium, and long-term baseline observations of interesting targets (pre- and post- launch) Synoptic (concurrent) observations with GLAST (post-launch, duh) Multi-wavelength observations provide insight into physics of energy generation and physical properties of central engines Supporting GLAST Science
BL Lac: A feisty galaxy on all timescales Years Hours Days
Potential Science Projects Active galaxy, polar surveillance –V and I observations of 2 targets / month –S/N >100, photometry ~1% High time-resolution datasets –Microvariability –Observe one target for many hours –At least once/year Gamma-ray bursts –Rapid response (GCN notification) –High S/N, but fast, multiple images more critical
Potential Educational Projects Simple image reduction and analysis Hands-On Universe AAVSO cooperation Goal: Publish data in scientific journals
Resistance is Futile What/Who are we looking for? Observers with access to telescopes w/CCD Willing to observe a minimum amount (depends on project) Willing to have data archived and used by others Not up for a long-term commitment? Go through the AAVSO! Advantages: Work with professionals on cutting-edge science Publishing Info/tutorials on robotic telescopes Receive GTN updates
RTS-1, aka “Big red” Celestron 14”/Paramount/ AP47P Pepperwood Ranch, Hume Observatory (California Academy of Sciences) 10 km Santa Rosa, CA