Exploring the Night Sky with Robotic Telescopes

How do astronomers decide what to observe, and how do robotic telescopes know where and when to look?

Comet 220P/McNaught

Join Shadow the Scientists and astronomer J.D. Armstrong, Maui Technology Education & Outreach Specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy (IfA), virtually on September 30 at 5:00p HST for an interactive look at robotic observing. Learn how astronomers select targets, consider observing conditions, choose telescopes and instruments, and submit observation requests.

We’ll put those ideas into practice using Slooh’s global network of robotic telescopes. Participants will join the observing team, helping choose targets and submit real observing requests while J.D. compares the process with observing using Las Cumbres Observatory’s robotic telescope network.

This is the first in a four-part series following our observations from target selection and scheduling to data analysis and spectroscopy. No prior astronomy experience or Slooh account is required.

Be part of the observing team and help turn a target in the sky into our next astronomical investigation!