mt kent observatory brad carter university of southern queensland usq

Mt Kent Observatory

Brad CarterUniversity of Southern Queensland

USQ

INTRODUCTION

Mt Kent Observatory’s role is to enable astronomy distance education through research.

Located at latitude 280S 1530 E near Toowoomba, Australia

URL: http://orion.mko.usq.edu.au

Photo shows domes for (left to right): CDK700 telescope (installation 2011)O’Mara robotic telescopeCDK20s telescope

(Wikipedia)

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ASTRONOMY AT USQ

Astronomy & space science: Integral part of Australian, international

school curricula Australian “super science”

Physics & astronomy is taught by distance education, using: Moodle delivery of lectures, tutorials,

discussion forums & assessments Robotic imaging for practical report Home practical kits (physics only) Electronic submission of assessments Traditional exam at a choice of venues

Research is focused on improved understanding of Solar & Earth history using stars and exoplanets as proxies.

CDK20s dome at sunset

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The O’Mara Robotic Telescope

USQ / APTA collaboration: www.telescope-net.com

Paramount ME, Meade 30cm, STL1301 Web interface for imaging requests Queue-scheduled observations Results by email & download In use by USQ students for imaging:

Star cluster types Galaxy shapes Asteroid detections

Possible future photometry projects: Variable stars Asteroid rotation Exoplanet transits (demanding) Adapt exercises from elsewhere?

O’Mara telescope “dome cam” image

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Shared Skies Partnership

Shared Skies Partnership operates between the UoL & USQ (www.sharedskies.org) CDK20s:

50cm f/6.8 optics with CCD, plus auxiliary finder, wide-field color camera

Replicates facility at Moore Observatory

Enables live remote imaging Web interface being developed

CDK700 (installation 2011) 0.7m alt-azimuth telescope For remote, robotic photometry Spectroscopy also planned

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(Planewave)