1. 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

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

3. What do all these have in common? Changes!

4. 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

5. Robotic Telescopes Three robotic telescope projects that you can get involved in: National Schools Observatory www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk Faulkes Telescope Project www.faulkes-telescope.com Bradford Robotic Telescope www.telescope.org

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

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

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

11. 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

12. The Liverpool Telescope

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

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

15. Open for Business The first observations for schools were taken in October 2004. 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

16. M20: Birth of a Star

17. M27: “Death” of a Star

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

19. 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)

20. Research Example: Near-Earth Objects

23. Several images at different times

24. 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.

25. Further details National Schools’ Observatory: www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk Faulkes Telescope Project: faulkes-telescope.com Bradford Robotic Telescope: www.telescope.org ESERO-UK: www.esero.org.uk