A screenshot of the Sky software
The Lagoon Nebula (M8). Image
taken at the telescope by Nick Lomb
and Geoff Wyatt on 22 August 2000
A white dome on the roof of the Powerhouse Museum houses a robotic telescope. With it school and other groups from Australia and around the world are able to examine the southern sky from the comfort of their own classroom or clubhouse.
The AT&T Virtual Classroom project provided the initial funding for the robotic telescope. Its heart is a Paramount GT-1100 telescope mount from Software Bisque in the United States. Using computer software this high-technology mount can be pointed in any direction in the sky with great accuracy. The person using the software can be next to the telescope or, through the Internet, on the other side of the world.
The Sydney Observatory Robotic Telescope has links to two robotic telescopes in the United States in Madison and New Mexico. In return for providing time on the telescope to students associated with them, the two observatories will provide time on their telescopes to the Powerhouse Museum. Due to the differences in time zones between Sydney and the overseas observatories it will be possible to make observations during daytime in Sydney. As well, Australians will have a unique opportunity to examine objects in the northern sky.
Demonstrations of daytime remote observing will be held regularly at Sydney Observatory. Please contact Sydney Observatory on (02) 9921 3485for details. Note that observing is dependent on the weather at the remote site.
Training sessions will also be held for teachers. Contact Sydney Observatory on (02) 9921 3485to register your interest. Participating schools will need to obtain a suite of remote observing computer programs.
For professional enquiries please contact Dr Nick Lomb, curator of astronomy at the Powerhouse Museum's Sydney Observatory.
The Little Dumbell nebula (M76) in the constellation of Perseus. Colour image made up of 30 second red exposure, 60 second green exposure and 90 second blue exposure. Taken on 30 November 2000 by Nick Lomb at Sydney Observatory
