Bringing Real-time Astronomical Observations into the Classroom Prof. Lynn Cominsky Sonoma State...
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![Page 1: Bringing Real-time Astronomical Observations into the Classroom Prof. Lynn Cominsky Sonoma State University Department of Physics and Astronomy and NASA.](https://reader030.fdocuments.net/reader030/viewer/2022032800/56649d4c5503460f94a2a530/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Bringing Real-time Astronomical Observations into the Classroom
Prof. Lynn CominskySonoma State University
Department of Physics and Astronomyand
NASA Education and Public Outreach Group
![Page 2: Bringing Real-time Astronomical Observations into the Classroom Prof. Lynn Cominsky Sonoma State University Department of Physics and Astronomy and NASA.](https://reader030.fdocuments.net/reader030/viewer/2022032800/56649d4c5503460f94a2a530/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Why do astronomical research in the classroom?
• Inspires students through excitement of real NASA science
• Learning scientific analysis techniques transcends astronomy
• Creates next generation of scientists and engineers through hands-on engagement with modern computer-controlled instrumentation
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What is the GTN?
High-energy data from GLAST or other satellites
Ground-based data from GTN
Active galaxies and other
exotic objects in space
Students’ brains!
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Who is analyzing and/or acquiring GTN data?
• High school students– Roseland University Prep (CA)– Holton HS (Kansas), – Lick-Wilmerding HS (CA)– Hands On Universe
• College students– Sonoma State University– Western Kentucky University
• Amateurs– AAVSO– Observers in Finland, Australia, Italy, Mexico,
Spain…
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What are we studying?
• Multi-wavelength data sets of time-variable exotic objects– Active galaxies– Gamma-ray bursts– Magnetic cataclysmic-variable binaries
• Ground-based visible light data combined with data at other wavelengths– GLAST– Swift– XMM-Newton
– Spitzer
– VERITAS
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What do we offer?• Tutorials on astrometry and
photometry• Resources about robotic
telescopes• Software analysis tools• Teacher training workshops• Data archiving• Partnerships with pro telescopes
– PROMPT (Chile)
– PI of the Sky (Poland)
• Museum partnerships– California Academy of Sciences
– Morehead Planetarium (NC)
– Adler Planetarium
Teacher doing “Cookie Cutter Photometry” workshop
Jellybean spectral energy distribution
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How can you get involved?• Become an associate
– Analyze data from GTN telescopes– Propose your own observations– Long-term campaign or one-time
observations• Become a partner (have your own telescope)
– Conduct your own observations– Schedule observations
for associates― Reduce and archive data
Spitzer AGN obs by Deer
Valley HS
Spain
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GTN Research at SSU
GLAST Optical Robotic Telescope at the California Academy of Science’s Pepperwood Natural Preserve
Supernova in M51
QQ Vul
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Time
Relative Magnitude
QQ Vul
Ref Star 1
Ref Star 2
Ref Star 3
Ref Star 4
Ref Star 5
Photometry of magnetic cataclysmic variable system
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GTN Research at Deer Valley High School, CA (Jeff Adkins)
• Spitzer observations of 4C29.45 and AO 0235+164 (AGN that are GTN targets)– Space-based IR and ground-based visible– Presented posters and wrote results– One DVHS student is now enrolled at SSU!
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GTN Research at Holton, Kansas HS (Mike Ford)
• Elk Creek Observatory– Monitors many AGN each night– Gamma-ray burst chasing– Featured on PBS NOVA
20 inch telescopeCCD camera
NGC 891
NOVA: Monster of the Milky Way
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Come join us!
http://gtn.sonoma.edu
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Active Galaxies
• Galaxies with unusually bright nuclei
• Emission lines (narrow and/or broad)
• Some have jets
• All are believed to have super-massive black holes at their cores
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Polars (Magnetic CVs)• White dwarfs (dead stars) with unusually
strong magnetic fields• Orbit a “normal” star, draw matter off• Matter falls right onto surface, burns
explosively creating X-ray flares
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Gamma-ray Bursts
• Incredible blasts of energy = 1018 Suns
• 2-3 per week• Flash may last
seconds to minutes• Optical observations
of afterglow• Birth of black holes
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GTN Research with AAVSO
• Multi-wavelength campaign on Mkn 501– Blazar with TeV and gamma-ray emission