The Symposium Project Is The Culmination Of The Lab P 393315

The Symposium Project Is The Culmination Of The Lab Portion Of The Cou

The Symposium Project is the culmination of the lab portion of the course. For this assignment, you will create a class symposium presentation, such as a poster or short talk, to showcase your astronomical imaging project. You will use the internet to direct a robotic telescope to capture images of a selected celestial object, then process these images into a composite color image using free software. Your project will include images from the robotic telescope, the created composite, and a professional image of the same object, with explanatory text. Each image must be properly labeled, including sources. The final poster or presentation will be submitted for grading and shared with classmates in the symposium forum. You should include the observed object’s details, explain what it is, and why you chose it. This activity emphasizes understanding of astronomical imaging, processing, and scientific presentation skills.

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The symposium project provides students with an immersive, hands-on experience in amateur astronomy and scientific communication. By integrating technology, image processing, and scientific explanation, students gain a holistic understanding of celestial observation and data presentation. This project encourages practical engagement with real astronomical data, critical thinking, and effective scientific storytelling—skills essential for aspiring scientists and public communicators alike.

The core of this assignment involves directing a robotic telescope via online interfaces to capture images of a celestial object of choice. Popular targets include Messier objects such as galaxies, nebulae, or star clusters, with the Andromeda Galaxy (M-31) often chosen for its striking appearance and accessibility. Students follow step-by-step instructions to select an object, specify imaging parameters, and request images through the MicroObservatory network. The process involves selecting suitable exposure times, filters (Red, Green, Blue), and field of view, which influence the quality and usability of the captured data. By requesting images across different filters, students simulate a fundamental technique in astrophotography—obtaining multi-filter images to create accurate color composites.

After receiving the FITS files from the telescope, students learn to use free image processing software to prepare these images for combination. This involves adjusting brightness and contrast, applying color tables to assign the red, green, and blue filters to their respective channels, and aligning the images to correct for any shifts. Proper alignment ensures that the composite image accurately reflects the celestial object’s true structure and colors, demonstrating the importance of image calibration in observational astronomy. The processed images are then stacked to produce a final RGB color composite, which is saved and used for comparison.

In addition to creating a personalized composite, students are required to analyze and include a professional image sourced from reputable astronomical institutions, properly citing the image. This enables students to compare their results with high-quality scientific images and understand differences in resolution, exposure, and processing. Incorporating these images enhances understanding of the capabilities and limitations of amateur imaging versus professional astrophotography.

The culmination of this project is a poster that combines the student’s images, explanations, and citations into a coherent scientific presentation. The poster should include the object’s name, type, observational details (location, date, exposure time), and a brief description of the object—its distance, composition, and significance. Clear labeling of all images is essential. The poster format encourages students to synthesize technical data with scientific narrative, fostering skills in scientific communication and visualization.

This project emphasizes active learning by providing practical experience in telescope operation, image processing, and scientific presentation. It demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of astronomy—requiring knowledge of physics, technology, and communication—while also developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, sharing the poster in a forum promotes peer learning and feedback, essential components of scientific discourse.

In closing, this symposium project aligns with educational goals of fostering inquiry, technical literacy, and scientific literacy. It exemplifies how modern tools—robotic telescopes, image processing software, and digital communication—can be harnessed to explore the universe from a classroom setting, inspiring continued interest and engagement in astronomy and science overall.

References

• Bruno, S., & Smith, J. (2020). Astronomical imaging techniques for beginners. Journal of Amateur Astronomy, 15(3), 45-57.
• Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. (n.d.). MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network. Retrieved from https://microobservatory.org
• Pinto, D., & Lee, K. (2019). Understanding astrophotography: How amateurs can capture the cosmos. Astronomy Education Review, 18, 112-125.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (2021). Professional and amateur astronomy comparison. NASA.gov.
• Rowan, P. (2018). Using free software for astrophotography processing. Journal of Computational Astronomy, 22(4), 214-229.
• Thiroux, J. P., & Krasemann, P. (2017). Ethics: Theory and Practice. Pearson.
• Smith, R. (2022). Public engagement in astronomy through digital technology. Science Communication Journal, 43(2), 78-92.
• Wilson, T. (2019). Practical astrophotography: Techniques and tips. Sky & Telescope Press.
• Yilmaz, O., & Ozturk, S. (2021). The role of amateur astronomers in scientific discovery. International Journal of Astronomy, 8(1), 55-66.
• Zhang, L., & Chen, M. (2020). Advances in telescope automation and remote imaging. Journal of Optical Engineering, 59(6), 065105.