Internet Astronomy in schools using remotely controlled telescopes

Abstract

The Charles Sturt University Remote Telescope Project makes available to primary and high school students and their teachers a simple-to-use telescope and electronic cameras over the Internet. Access to the telescope is supported by curriculum units of Astronomy activities. The telescope is not a robotic device. It is controllable in real time with images transferred to the user also in real time. This paper describes the project, the software control system and the related curriculum activities, and results obtained from interventions conducted with teachers and students. Discussion centres around how to ignite students' and teachers' interest in science and how projects such as this one may lead to more exciting coverage of important topics in the primary and secondary schools.