Las Cumbres ObservatoryGlobal Telescope Network:Keeping Education in the

DarkRachel J. Ross

Global Hands On UniverseJuly 2007

Photo by: Rob Ratkowski, Maui

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.

Who are we?

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

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

Where Will The Telescopes Be?

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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!

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

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

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!

Our Mission …

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!

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.

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

Pretty Pictures

We Will Always Keep You In The Dark!

www.LCOGT.net