Treffer: Miniature Robot Telescope model for Educational Learning

Introduction The complex nature of celestial mechanics presents significant challenges in educational contexts, particularly for students lacking prior exposure to the topic. Understanding the apparent motion of celestial bodies across the sky, the influence of geographical location on observational perspectives, and the application of right ascension (RA) and declination (DEC) coordinates for celestial navigation are concepts that often prove abstract and difficult to grasp. Recognizing these educational barriers served as the primary catalyst for this project. Our objective was to develop an interactive robotic telescope model, allowing students to directly engage with and program a functional astronomical instrument. Inspired by John Moores University's robotic telescope model, we sought to enhance accessibility by adopting an open-source approach, utilizing a Raspberry Pi as the central processing unit. This prototype represents an initial stage of development, with plans for a final model that will feature a structure twice the current size. ; Application scenarios The telescope is operated via a web server, providing flexible control options. Users can either manually input geographic coordinates or utilize the current location to identify celestial bodies by name or through right ascension (RA) and declination (DEC) values. This functionality empowers students to calculate RA and DEC values independently, visualize their computations, and modify Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to predict the positions of celestial objects at specific times. The web server also features a tracking system that enables continuous monitoring of multiple celestial objects, offering a dynamic representation of their apparent motion across the sky. This interactive visualization deepens understanding of astronomical mechanics and enhances spatial awareness of celestial movements. Furthermore, the telescope’s software is fully open-source, promoting active learning and experimentation. Students can extend the system's ...