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The
TIE User's Guide and Workbook
for Scholastic Programs and Amateur Studies
Copyright 1997, 2000 TIE Project
Version 3.0
Prepared
and Edited by
Blake Bartosh
Barrett Duff
Heath Gibson
TIE
Project Sponsored by
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Acknowledgments
The TIE Project would not be in existence for us to view the Universe's treasures without the persistence and vision of Gil Clark, Director of the Project. The TIE telescope equipment and the volunteer program runs smoothly with the devotion of Steve Golden. Mary Cragg provides the organization needed to keep the day to day operations running smoothly. And the project itself could not be taken to the classrooms without the help and dedication of the volunteer operators and support personnel who donate their time and energies to share a love of astronomy with so many eager students.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION (CONTAINED IN THIS FILE)
The TIE Project
Purpose of This Guide and Workbook
The Structure of This Guide and Workbook
2. FILENAME "TIEUSER": TIE USER'S GUIDE
The 24" Telescope and Equipment
Using the System
3. FILENAME "CCDASTRO": INTRODUCTION TO CCD ASTRONOMY
4. STUDENT WORKBOOK (SEPARATE PROJECT FILES, SEE BELOW)
FILENAME "PROJECT 1": "Basic Use of the TIE 24" Telescope System"
by Blake Bartosh and Shelley Bonus
This project is intended to give the Student/Amateur experience with efficient and planned use of the TIE telescope, while collecting a variety of images of various object types.
FILENAME "PROJECT 2": "Adopt a Constellation"
by Shelley Bonus
The object of this project is to have fun and learn at the same time! Find your way around the sky season by season and constellation by constellation, as easily as you find your way home, neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street, home by home. Learn the various cultural myths associated with each constellation. Students should be able to identify as many Messier and NGC objects in each constellation, and do an in depth and systematic study of those objects. Students should learn how to use TheSky to make their session time on the TIE telescope the most valuable as possible. Teachers should review the constellations and assign those with interesting objects to students.
FILENAME "PROJECT 3": "Adopt a Galaxy--The Search for Supernovae"
by Blake Bartosh
The student/amateur is to choose galaxies of proper location for time of observation, and image these galaxies periodically. The images are examined for signs of supernovae. Images that show possibilities for supernovae are validated by comparison methods. Findings are publishable. Observing and recording the behavior of supernovae adds much needed information to our understanding of stellar makeup and evolution.
FILENAME "PROJECT 4": "A Survey of Deep Sky Objects"
by April Labrecque
The student/amateur is to choose a type of deep sky object appropriate for season location, and record images to create a personal catalog and log book. Object types include nebulae, galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, etc. The level of involvement will vary based on grade level, experience and number of sessions devoted. A single session can yield a wide variety of images appropriate for such an assignment. Objects should be researched for sky location prior to observations to obtain the optimum quality images. Moon phase, location above horizon, time of location should be taken into consideration when selecting objects for the observing session. Multiple sessions devoted to this study would create better understanding of chosen objects, and introduce students to the scientific discipline needed for systematic observational work.
FILENAME "PROJECT 5": "Near Earth Objects--Comet and Asteroid Studies"
by Andre Bormanis
Based on published information in various magazines, journals, and other publications, students and interested amateurs will observe and image selected Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). A catalog of the selected NEOs will be created and updated. Catalog information will include object history, classification, orbital elements, photometric data, estimated size and mass, and other available data. Any changes in NEO magnitude, expected position, orbital characteristics, coma size, shape, etc. will become clear as catalog data are accumulated over repeated observations. The NEOs will be observed and imaged as frequently as possible. As the catalog is compiled, recorded data will be of interest to various professionals and organizations involved in NEO research, such as the Minor Planet Center (MPC). Proper data submission formats are provided by the various organizations. Observers will be informed how to alert the MPC to substantive or scientifically interesting short-term changes, such as "disconnection events," in a given NEO's characteristics.
FILENAME "PROJECT 6": "The Colors of the Stars"
by Blake Bartosh
The Student/Amateur is to utilize advanced techniques, including filter wheel and photometry, to measure the color index (B-V, V-R, etc.) of stars using the TIE telescope system. A Color Magnitude Diagram is created from the measured data. Apparent and absolute magnitudes, stellar mass, temperature, color index, spectral classifications and Color Magnitude Diagrams are studied.
FILENAME "PROJECT 7": "The Colors of the Stars in Open Clusters"
by Blake Bartosh
This is an extension of Project 6, which applies techniques learned to determine the magnitude, color, temperature and mass of stars in open clusters.
FILENAME "PROJECT 8": "Advanced Imaging Techniques"
by Blake Bartosh
The sources of noise, signal to noise ratio, the importance of exposure time, dark frame, flat field, resolution, background and range on the quality of images is learned. Images taken with different exposure characteristics are compared. The Student/Amateur is introduced to the advanced image processing capability of SkyPro, including "Track and Accumulate" and "Unsharp Mask."
FILENAME "PROJECT 9": "Variable Stars--Keys to the Universe"
by Barrett Duff
Students will become familiar with three types of stars that vary in light: pulsating variables, eruptive variables and eclipsing variables. These stars tell us much about the size and structure of the universe and about stellar dynamics and evolution. At least one star each of the pulsating and eruptive variables and one eclipsing binary class will be selected for study. Light curves for the selected stars will be plotted and the periods calculated. An optional secondary objective would be to determine the color index and spectral class for each variable.
FILENAME "PROJECT 10": "Focus on RR Lyrae Stars--The Anatomy of the H-R Diagram"
by Barrett Duff
Measure the periods of as many RR Lyrae variables as possible in a given cluster and plot their light curves. M3, M5 and M15 are good examples of clusters containing RR Lyrae variables. Compare the maxima of the periods measured in Julian time with those reported in the literature for prior epochs for the same variable. Data obtained from this study is publishable!
FILENAME "PROJECT 11": "Variable Star Search"
by Barrett Duff
This project is an extension of Project 9, for which candidate stars are examined for possible variable status. Such candidate stars are obtained from various sources listed in the references. Results are publishable and can be reported to the Information Bulletin for Variable Stars, and/or to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) for publication.
FILENAME "PROJECT 12": "Asteroid Rotation and NEO Search"
by Andre Bormanis
Based on published information in various magazines, journals and other publications, students and interested amateurs will observe and image selected Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) with the intent of detecting periodic changes in apparent magnitude, i.e. light curves. Light curves will be used to determine asteroid rotation rates. Searches for new NEOs will also be conducted. Proper data submission formats are provided by the various organizations interested in this research, such as the Minor Planet Center (MPC).
INTRODUCTION
THE TIE PROJECT
The Telescopes in Education (TIE) Project is the result of several years of work on the part of individuals and organizations to establish a computer operated telescope facility for use by schools, universities and amateurs to pursue the study of astronomy.
The goal of the TIE Project is to provide free access of high grade scientific equipment to Kindergarten through 12th grade school groups for demonstrating astronomical principles and generating enthusiasm for the continuing study of space sciences.
NASA funding for the TIE Project makes it possible for school groups to enjoy free access time. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory provides both managerial oversight and support facilities to maintain the TIE Project in operation throughout the year.
The TIE Project is supported by a staff of volunteer telescope operators who come to the dome to facilitate the observing session. Volunteer responsibilities include initializing the telescope system, working with the teachers and classroom participants to help with proper operation of the system and software, and to provide valuable information that will make the observing session successful.
For general information about the TIE Project, reserving observation time, teacher workshops and technical support, please contact:
Mary
Cragg (General Information)
Telescopes In Education
P.O.Box 60163
Pasadena, California U.S.A. 91116-6163
Phone:
(626) 794-1360
Fax: (626) 398-1208
Roger Wilcox (Scheduling, Technical Support)
PLEASE, e-mail Roger Wilcox for scheduling and technical support, ONLY!
TIE
Project
Additional information on the TIE Project can be obtained via the Internet at:
http://www.telescopesineducation.com/index.html
This resource will be expanded in the future to provide up-to-date information for users, access to a library of TIE images, and other useful information relating to the project.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE AND WORKBOOK
The purpose of the Guide is to assist Students, Astronomical Organizations and individual Amateurs in the study of the sky using the TIE equipment. Projects are presented in increasing complexity so that everyone can participate in a project that suits their interest and capabilities.
In addition to suggesting several programs for observation and study, the guide provides a framework for systematic recording of Student and Amateur observations and reporting them to applicable organizations.
Teachers can utilize the Guide to structure classroom projects. Reading materials and references are provided for individual study before and after the observing session.
THE STRUCTURE OF THIS GUIDE AND WORKBOOK
This Guide and Workbook is divided into two parts, the User's Guide, and the Student Workbook. The User's Guide is provided to help the user connect with the TIE telescope system and to use the system efficiently and successfully.
The Student Workbook contains several projects of varying complexity. Each is presented with an Objective, Background, Discussion of Work and References for further study. The projects build on the results and techniques learned in the previous projects.
The current capabilities of the TIE telescope will be augmented with the addition of a high quality 6" refractor and a second CCD camera, so lunar and planetary imaging will soon be available. A set of projects for lunar and planetary studies will be developed shortly. The Deep Sky program is best carried out with the 24" telescope system.
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Near
Earth Objects--Comet |
