The Institute for Student Astronomical Research (InStAR), which provides citizen scientists and college students throughout the U.S. with authentic, real-world astronomical research experiences that lead to high-quality scientific publications, has announced plans for a network of small orbiting telescopes.
The Space Telescope Network for Student Research would feature both 0.2-meter (8-inch) CubeSat telescopes and 0.5-meter (20-inch) MicroSat telescopes mated to cameras and spectrographs spanning infrared, visual, and ultraviolet wavelengths.
Russell M. Genet (California Polytechnic State University) described the project in a workshop and poster today at the 232nd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Denver, Colorado. InStAR's conceptual study is under way in collaboration with telescope manufacturer PlaneWave Instruments and satellite manufacturer Blue Canyon Technologies.
High-school and college students have successfully conducted astronomical research for many years. A recent example is the Astronomy Research Seminar series offered by several schools with, to date, 150 published papers by some 500 student coauthors. Expansion and evaluation of the seminars has been funded by a National Science Foundation grant, "Student Research within Communities of Practice."
These seminars, supported by InStAR, make extensive use of ground-based robotic telescopes. If the Space Telescope Network for Student Research proves feasible and attracts the necessary funding, students would have access to telescopes with higher spatial resolution and broader wavelength coverage than is possible from the ground.
Students and faculty, including many from community colleges and other small institutions, will participate in both instrument design and network operation. "The Space Telescope Network for Student Research represents a transformational initiative that will provide astronomical research opportunities to students across the U.S. and around the world," says InStAR president Paul S. Hardersen.
"These research experiences will advance science, produce high-quality research publications, promote STEM achievement, and effectively teach students and the broader citizenry the value of the scientific method."
