Robotic Telescopes Bringing the Universe into the Classroom Prof Andy Newsam Director of the National Schools’ Observatory Prof Paul Roche Director of the Faulkes Telescope Project

Progress through Observation Astronomy is an Observational science, not an Experimental one

What do all these have in common? Changes!

Dynamic Astronomy Most objects in the Universe vary But, this is very difficult to study. Robotic Telescopes are designed to see how the Universe changes

Robotic Telescopes Three robotic telescope projects that you can get involved in: National Schools Observatory Faulkes Telescope Project Bradford Robotic Telescope

Robotic telescopes Obtain images from distant sites Live (real-time) or by request Real-time Request

The Faulkes Telescope Project Prof. Paul Roche University of South Wales

Faulkes Telescopes ~£10M Dill Faulkes Educational Trust ~£1M STFC ~£0.6M Government (Education)

UK Education FT initiatives: Projects and Activities Twinning schools Themed Observing Days Teacher Training (including online) School-based Support Centres National Redshift Project Down to Earth Schools initiatives: After-school Astronomy clubs GCSE Astronomy support School workshops – e.g. Arts/Science week Astronomy masterclasses

The Liverpool Telescope

Robotic Telescopes from School? As similar as possible to professional observing

The National Schools’ Observatory Target Audiences: 8 – 18 year old pupils Strong links to research Support for non-specialist teachers

Open for Business The first observations for schools were taken in October Unique “Go Observing” interface. Nearly 60,000 requests. About 3000 schools. NGC 7479 The first observation taken for a school. False colour image made using LTImage Saturn 3000 th observation request

M20: Birth of a Star

M27: “Death” of a Star

Example: Moons of Uranus Some observations from 4 nights of a monitoring campaign (all timescales from hours to weeks covered)

Variety of “modes” A range of ways of using the telescope including: –Individual simple observing requests –Slightly more complicated programmes of observations –Participation in large multi-school projects (often with research involvement)

Research Example: Near-Earth Objects

Several images at different times

Summary Robotic telescopes use astronomy to promote science in schools. Emphasis is on discovery and experimentation. Live or offline usage. Materials and support for large range of abilities, ages and subjects.

Further details National Schools’ Observatory: Faulkes Telescope Project: faulkes-telescope.com Bradford Robotic Telescope: ESERO-UK: