2013/12/06 by Takashi Sato, Sato, Takashi
Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Developments in Astronomy #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) #Physics Education (physics.ed-ph) #astro-ph.IM #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1312.1788
4 pages, 2 figures, COSMOS in the Classroom 2013 (conference proceedings), astronomy education
arxiv created 2013/12/06 · openalex publication_date 2013/12/06 · arxiv updated 2013/12/09 · openalex created_date 2024/04/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Presented is a successful two week lab involving real sky observations of the Moon in which students make telescopic observations and analyze their own images. Originally developed around the 35 mm film camera as a common household object adapted for astronomical work, the lab transitioned to use the webcam as film photography evolved into an obscure specialty technology and increasing numbers of students had little familiarity with it. The printed circuit board with the CCD is harvested from a retail webcam and affixed to a tube to mount on a telescope in place of an eyepiece. Image frames are compiled to form a lunar mosaic and crater sizes are measured. Students also work through the logistical steps of telescope time assignment and scheduling, keeping to schedule and working with uncertainties of weather, in ways paralleling research observations. Because there is no need for a campus observatory, this lab can be replicated at a wide variety of institutions.