Go Out:  Look Up!

A Guide to the Sky, Telescopes, and Telescope Programs

Observing
The Sky
Equipment
Program Info
Schools
How-to
Links

Program Goals

  1. Provide students and families permanent on-going access to equipment to observe the moon, planets and deep sky objects.
  2. Provide human resources to sustain a telescope sharing program.
  3. Provide an on-line resource for learning the sky and how to observe.
  4. Provide on-line information on how to start a telescope sharing program.

 

Click here for Information on Starting a Telescope Loaner Program.

What's New

Info on the upcoming May Solar Eclipse and the June Venus Transit

Curie has a new Robotic Scope!  It's out with a parent now.

A page about the new Robotic Scopes has been added.

A page on Solar Observing has been added.

The Observing Guide section is reasonably functional, if not totally complete.

Program Overview

Having a successful evening under the stars, requires appropriate equipment, some familiarity with the equipment and with the sky.  A program successful over the long-term must ensure a consistently good user experience and minimize the in-house staff support load.

At the beginning of 2011 Bentley Systems, Inc. has awarded a series of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Grants to Curie Elementary, and Mission Bay High Schools towards the purchase of telescope equipment to be available to students and their families.

Jeff Martin, a Bentley Systems employee and father of a a student at Curie Elementary, has pledged initial implementation and ongoing support until such time as no longer needed.  His goal is to use the Telescope Program at Curie Elementary as a pilot program to create an online resource enabling other groups to start their own telescope sharing programs.

Status

See the individual school's page.

Curie Elementary has its scopes.  They have been released into the wild. We have held three training sessions.

Mission Bay High School received their scope on Wednesday 3/16/11, and has had equipment instruction.

Action Items

A number of decisions to be made are listed here. 

Program Model

Amateur Astronomy Clubs have a long history of public outreach.  The New Hampshire Astronomical Society Library Telescope Program is a successful program and a valid guide to what should be a successful school program.  An integral part of the success of the NHAS program is the "Scope Foster Parent".  Jeff has committed his services to provide guidance and support until the program has no need of him - details here.

Note: the NHAS program is nothing more than a guide; all control of policies and equipment will remain with schools.

Estimated Cost

minimal.  see the estimated cost sheet.

 

Questions or comments? Email:Jeff Martin