ISSS April 20 2006 meeting
From SEDSWiki
The April 20th 2006 general meeting of the Iowa State Space Society will feature Dr. Paul S. Hardersen, Assistant Professor in the Department of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota.
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Place: 1213 Hoover Hall
Topic
A collaborative Internet-based observatory network for research and education in astronomy
Recent advances in observatory control software and global broadband IT networks are facilitating the deployment of robotic and Internet-based astronomical observatories around the world. Many professional observatories, such as the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, are remotely operated. Educational networks of telescopes, such as the Telescopes in Education and Hands-On Universe projects, provide on-line telescopes for K-12 educators and students. While some universities and colleges are beginning to build Internet observatories, many use them in isolation. Many other universities do not have access to such resources.
Therefore, there is a need to develop a robust, global network of Internet observatories that are available to university- and college-level faculty and students to support diverse research and education projects. Building and operating a small Internet observatory today requires modest institutional resources, but does require a long-term commitment from the responsible organization. Efforts to build and operate a multi-wavelength, multi-telescope observatory complex at the University of North Dakota will be described, as well as the longer-term goal of building and operating a ~1-meter class observatory that would be the first professional observatory in the history of the state of North Dakota.
About the speaker
Paul S. Hardersen currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota. Hardersen received his PhD in geology in May 2003 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, specializing in near-IR spectroscopy of asteroids, research he continues at UND. Before earning his doctorate, Hardersen received a Master's degree in geology from Rensselaer in 2001 and dual degrees (bachelors in geology and political science) from Iowa State in 1997.
Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Hardersen enlisted in the US Navy following high school. As an undergrad at ISU he was president of the Iowa State Space Society from 1989 through 1992. He coordinated activities such as trips to NASA centers, sponsored notable speakers for campus lectures, and organized Iowa's first-ever space development conference. In 1997, Hardersen's book The Case for Space became his first published work.
