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The Global Telescope Network

The Global Telescope Network. Phil Plait Sonoma State University. Phil Plait. Tim Graves. Gordon Spear. Lynn Cominsky. Aurore Simonnet. Sarah Silva. The Sonoma State University Education and Public Outreach Group (SSU E/PO). Education and Public Outreach

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The Global Telescope Network

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  1. The Global Telescope Network Phil Plait Sonoma State University

  2. Phil Plait Tim Graves Gordon Spear Lynn Cominsky Aurore Simonnet Sarah Silva The Sonoma State University Education and Public Outreach Group (SSU E/PO)

  3. Education and Public Outreach Formal (in class) and informal activities Posters, flyers, brochures Doodads, gimmicks, doohickeys, and gizmos Websites, articles, etc.  Science/astronomy promotion What is E/PO?

  4. Who’s Paying For It

  5. Observes gamma rays High-energy objects Active galaxies, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, magnetic neutron stars, polars, solar flares Launches in 2007 (or so), 5+ year mission 350 M$ (+foreign $), with 1% to E/PO GLAST Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope

  6. Active Galaxies • Galaxies with unusually bright nuclei • Emission lines (narrow and/or broad) • Some have jets All appear to have black holes in the middle

  7. Active Galaxies (2)

  8. Pulsars • Rapidly rotating neutron star • Large magnetic field (>1012 Earth) • Many emit gamma rays, as well as radio, optical, X-rays • Crab, Vela, GRO J1744-28

  9. Pulsars (2)

  10. The GLAST Resort Many or most of these sources emit across the electromagnetic spectrum, but GLAST only sees gamma rays! What can be done about this?

  11. International (multi-longitude) network of ground-based telescopes Purpose: to support GLAST science, and educate students about astronomy Funded through GLAST, but Swift and XMM-Newton are kicking in too Partners: AAVSO, RCT, Elk Creek Observatory, California Academy of Sciences Talking with other groups as well The Global (nee GLAST) Telescope Network

  12. Provide short, medium, and long-term baseline observations of interesting targets (pre- and post-launch) Synoptic (concurrent) observations with GLAST (post-launch, duh) Multi-wavelength observations provide insight into physics of energy generation and physical properties of central engines Supporting GLAST Science

  13. Hours Days Supporting GLAST Science BL Lac: A feisty galaxy on all timescales Years

  14. Active galaxy, polar surveillance V and I observations of 2 targets / month S/N >100, photometry ~1% High time-resolution datasets Microvariability Observe one target for many hours At least once/year Gamma-ray bursts Rapid response (GCN notification) High S/N, but fast, multiple images more critical Potential Science Projects

  15. Potential Educational Projects • Simple image reduction • and analysis • Hands-On Universe • AAVSO cooperation Goal: Publish data in scientific journals

  16. Resistance is Futile What/Who are we looking for? • Observers with access to telescopes w/CCD • Willing to observe a minimum amount (depends on project) • Willing to have data archived and used by others • Not up for a long-term commitment? Go through the AAVSO! • Advantages: • Work with professionals on cutting-edge science • Publishing • Info/tutorials on robotic telescopes • Receive GTN updates

  17. RTS-1, aka “Big red” • Celestron 14”/Paramount/ AP47P • Pepperwood Ranch, Hume Observatory (California Academy of Sciences) 10 km Santa Rosa, CA

  18. http://gtn.sonoma.edu

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