5th-Grade Students Research Nebulae with ATEO-1

Insight Observatory had the pleasure of providing its remote telescope services once again this school year with Ms. Christine DeSantis' 5th-grade students at Plymouth South Elementary School, Plymouth, MA. The students specifically accessed the 16" f/3.75 Dream Aerospace Systems astrograph reflector (ATEO-1) remotely from their classroom using the Educational Image Request (EIR) from their Chromebooks.

A 5th-grade student in Ms. DeSantis' class at Plymouth South Elementary School studies her image taken with ATEO-1 of the NGC 2073, The Iris Nebula on her classroom-assigned Chromebook.

Here is what Ms. DeSantis said regarding her class utilizing ATEO-1 for their classroom project...

"Learning about deep space objects and how they are photographed was an exciting and motivating experience for my fifth graders! This project related well to two science units: matter and energy and the solar system. Students were able to extend their knowledge of the elements and discovered why dust and gasses are able to glow when energized by a nearby energy source and how this results in spectacular nebulae. Before the image requests were put in, the students researched three types of nebulae.

As they proceeded to put in the requests they discovered that certain nebulae may or may not be visible at various times of the year. They reviewed phases of the moon and became aware that deep space photography works best during the new moon and also learned why the location of the telescope is important.

After their images were processed, the students compared the images from Insight Observatory to Hubble photographs. Next, they created a slideshow to demonstrate comprehension of all the concepts including adding details about their chosen image: the type of nebula, its age, distance from Earth, and distance across (size). This is a wonderfully thought-provoking and exciting way to learn about some complicated and abstract concepts. We are so grateful to have been able to participate in this project!"

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NGC 2244 - The Rosette Nebula (left), NGC 7293 - The Helix Nebula (upper right), and M42 - The Orion Nebula (bottom right) all imaged by 5th-grade students in Ms. Desantis' class using remote telescope ATEO-1.

Insight Observatory would like to thank Ms. DeSantis for once again collaborating with us. If you are an educator and interested in participating in a classroom project utilizing Insight Observatory's remote telescope services via our online Educational Image Request (EIR), please contact us.

We would also like to thank all of Insight Observatory's loyal remote imagers and Patreon patrons for their ongoing support that allows Insight Observatory to provide remote telescope services for educational purposes.

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New Affiliate Remote Telescopes

Insight Observatory is excited to announce a new collaboration with SkyGems Observatories!

Screenshot of AFIL-3: The 20" f/6.7 iDK Dall-Kirkham remote telescope option being selected on Insight Observatory's online Personal Image Request (PIR) application.

Both of Insight Observatory's online image request applications will now have two additional remote telescope options for capturing deep-sky image data. The Educational Image Request (EIR)  and Personal Image Request (PIR) forms now list the following options...

• ATEO-1: 16" f/3.7 Astrograph - New Mexico, US
• ATEO-2A: 5" f/5.8 FLT APO Refractor - New Mexico, US
• ATEO-3: 12.5" f/6 Ritchey-Chretien - Rio Hurtado Valley, Chile
• AFIL-3: 20" f/6.7 Dall-Kirkham - Namibia, Southern Africa
• AFIL-7: 20" f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham - Nerpio, Spain

AFIL-3: 20" f/6.7 Dall-Kirkham located in Hakos, Namibia (left) and AFIL-7 20" f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham located in Nerpio, Spain (right).

Due to the effects of the monsoon season in the southwest of the US, these additional options will allow students and the public to access deep-sky image data in alternate locations in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Specifications of the AFIL-3 20" Dall-Kirkham Imaging System:

• 20" f/6.7 AG Optical iDK Dall-Kirkham
• ASA DDM85XL mount
• FLI Proline 16803 CCD
• Filters: LRGB, Ha7 OIII SII

Specifications of the AFIL-7 20" f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham Imaging System:

• 20" f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham
• Planewave L-500 mount
• FLI Proline 16803 CCD
• Filters: LRGB, Ha7, OIII, SII

This is only the first phase of integrating these two fine imaging systems. Phase 2 will be adding 5 hours or more of deep-sky imaging data to Starbase, Insight Observatory's image set repository, and the final phase will be adding them as options on our new version of the ATEO Portal.

LRGB image of NGC 6357 - Diffuse nebula in the constellation Scorpius imaged on AFIL-3 
remote telescope located in Namibia. Image courtesy of Lukas Demetz.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lukas Demetz of SkyGems Observatories for partnering up with Insight Observatory and contributing to our mission of "Bringing the Universe to Classrooms and Homes Around the World!"

For more information on using the EIR for educational use or the PIR for acquiring a deep-sky image for personal use, please Contact Us.

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Online Learning Opportunities Using ATEO

During these unusual and stressful times, Insight Observatory has been fortunate enough to be able to offer and provide online learning opportunities with teachers and students from their homes. One instance was a recent collaboration with Plymouth South Elementary School 5th-grade teacher, Ms Christine DeSantis, from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Insight Observatory and Ms. DeSantis had scheduled an education program earlier this year to take place in April 2020. Fortunately, due to Insight's online Educational Image Request (EIR) application, Ms. DeSantis and her 5th-grade students could still proceed with the class project as planned.

Plymouth South Elementary School Student, Aidan F., examines his image of M27, The Dumbbell Nebula, taken on Insight Observatory's 16 f/3.7 astrograph reflector (ATEO-1) remote telescope.

"We are very grateful to have been able to benefit from Insight Observatory’s educational outreach program, especially during this difficult and challenging process of distance learning!" states Ms. DeSantis. "Students first visited Insight Observatory's website to learn more about the online remote telescopes and their locations. The students discussed why New Mexico was an ideal location for deep space photography, and how Insight Observatory Co-Founder, Mr. Petrasko, first became interested in space photography. It was inspiring and motivating for the kids to learn how a hobby and interest in space could eventually develop into this type of program."

Plymouth South Elementary School Student, Morgan H., displays her image of M57, The Ring Nebula.  M97, The Owl Nebula (upper right), and M108 Galaxy (lower left) were imaged by Brook C. and Cameron J. All deep-sky objects were imaged by the students on Insight Observatory's 16" f/3.7 astrograph reflector (ATEO-1).

"After their research, students were paired up to choose some deep-sky images to have photographed. It was particularly exciting for the students to find out that the spring sky is loaded with galaxies. Students chose from a list of open star clusters, spiral galaxies, globular clusters, and planetary nebulae. They were thrilled when their images arrived. After seeing their images, students discussed the immensity of distances in space and reviewed the variation in galaxy shapes. This was such a wonderful project, especially since it allowed my students to visit faraway places without having to leave their homes."

More images were acquired by Plymouth South Elementary School 5th-grade students using ATEO-1. M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy imaged by Trevor B. (left), M27, The Dumbell Nebula, imaged by Aidan F. (upper right), and M3, Globular Cluster imaged by Nathan B.

Insight Observatory would like to thank Ms. DeSantis and her 5th-grade students for participating in a classroom project for the 3rd year straight year! Even during these challenging learning conditions, we are very happy we could still make it possible!

If you are an educator and would like to participate in an online learning opportunity using our Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) remote telescope network, please Contact Us. 

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Seeing Beyond the Stars

Recently, a student of Mrs. Runyon’s 8th-grade science spent this past Christmas holiday traveling around the state of Texas with a stop at the famed McDonald Observatory. This astronomical observatory is located near the unincorporated community of Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County western Texas, United States, where the stars are so brilliant one almost feels like falling up into them! Why are stars so much more brilliant in those western skies than they are to us on the east coast? And how can we see beyond them?

Mrs. Runyon's 8th-grade science students research possible deep-sky targets to image through Insight Observatory's Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) remote telescopes in the computer lab at Plymouth South Middle School. Photo credit: Karen Runyon.

Grade 8 students in Mrs. Runyon’s science class at Plymouth South Middle School, Plymouth, Massachusetts discussed these and other questions before embarking on a journey through space via Insight Observatory's Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) remote telescope network. Students selected deep-sky Messier objects to research, hunting for objects that both inspired them, as well as were visible in the January skies of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Just a few sample images were taken by 8th-grade science students at Plymouth South Middle School, Plymouth, MA. M78 and M45 were imaged on Insight Observatory's 16" f/3.75 Dream Aerospace Systems astrograph reflector (ATEO-1) in New Mexico, USA, and M42, and M43 were imaged on the 12.5" f/9 Ritchey-Chretien (ATEO-3) located in the Rio Hurtado Valley, Chile. 

Working in groups, the students presented and taught each other about these objects, and decided which ones to select for imaging using Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form. After the deep-sky image requests were uploaded to the telescope queues, acquired, and processed, the students compared their images with those taken from the Hubble Space Telescope. They discussed the differences between the image qualities gathered from the ATEO remote telescopes and Hubble, both in location and structure.

Mrs. Runyon's 8th-grade students compare images of deep-sky objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters taken with Insight Observatory's ATEO remote telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credits: Karen Runyon.

Insight Observatory would like to thank Mrs. Runyon and her 8th-grade science students for participating in its "Bringing the Universe to the Classroom" program. If you are an educator and interested in accessing Insight Observatory's ATEO remote telescope network for a classroom project, please Contact Us.

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The Omega Nebula Imaged on ATEO-3

Insight Observatory is excited to announce its first deep-sky image set acquired by ATEO-3 that is now available on its Starbase image set repository. M17, the Omega Nebula in the constellation Sagittarius, was the first target imaged from the Insight Observatory affiliate remote telescope. ATEO-3 is a 12.5" f/9 (2860mm focal length) Quasar Optics Ritchey-Chretien owned and operated by Franck Jobard. This telescope is located at an elevation of over 5990 ft at Deep Sky Chile, a remote telescope hosted in the dark skies of the Rio Hurtado Valley in Chile.

M17, The Omega Nebula in Sagittarius imaged and processed on ATEO-3 by Franck Jobard at Deep Sky Chile.

The Omega Nebula, also known as the Swan Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, and the Horseshoe Nebula (cataloged as Messier 17 or M17 or NGC 6618), is an H II region in the constellation Sagittarius. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. Charles Messier cataloged it in 1764. It is located in the rich starfields of the Sagittarius area of the Milky Way.

The Omega Nebula is between 5,000 and 6,000 light-years from Earth, and it spans some 15 light-years in diameter. The cloud of interstellar matter of which this nebula is a part is roughly 40 light-years in diameter and has a mass of 30,000 solar masses. The total mass of the Omega Nebula is an estimated 800 solar masses.

M17 is considered one of the brightest and most massive star-forming regions of our galaxy. Its local geometry is similar to the Orion Nebula except that it is viewed edge-on rather than face-on.

The open cluster NGC 6618 lies embedded in the nebulosity and causes the gases of the nebula to shine due to radiation from these hot, young stars. It is also one of the youngest clusters known, with an age of just 1 million years. The Swan portion of M17, the Omega Nebula in the Sagittarius nebulosity, is said to resemble a barber's pole.

Source: Wikipedia

12.5" f/9 Quasar Ritchey Chretien, ATEO-3, affiliate remote telescope (pictured right) housed in a roll-off observatory at Deep Sky Chile remote telescope hosting facility. Photo by Franck Jobard.

ATEO-3 is available as an option on Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form for educational research and classroom use. This remote online telescope is also an option on the Public Image Request (PIR) as well. To make an image set request for ATEO-3, please visit Insight Observatory's "Starbase Image Sets on-Demand" form.

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Announcing Remote Telescope ATEO-3

Insight Observatory is proud to announce the addition of ATEO-3 to its network of Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach. ATEO-3 is Insight's third affiliate telescope located in the dark skies of the Rio Hurtado Valley in Chile. Rio Hurtado is far away from large cities and offers the darkest skies and the best conditions found in Chile. This location shares the same sky as Cerro Tololo, Gemini South, and the brand-new LSST professional observatories. The ATEO-3 remote imaging system is owned and operated by Franck Jobard and is hosted at Deep Sky Chile. Deep Sky Chile is a remote telescope hosting facility constructed on a flat mountain top over 5590 feet.

Deep Sky Chile remote telescope hosting is located in the Rio Hurtado Valley, Chile where the 12.5" f/9 Quasar Ritchey Chretien (ATEO-3) affiliate remote telescope is housed.

This remote telescope configuration consists of a 12.5" f/9 (2860mm focal length) Quasar Ritchey Chretien with an SBIG STL11000 CCD camera with Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, H-Alpha (6nm) and Oxygen III (3nm) Astrodon filters and is mounted on a Losmandy Titan. An ATEO-3 imaging system is now an option on Insight Observatory's Educational and Public Image Request forms. Multiple hours of deep-sky data integration will also become available in Insight Observatory's Starbase image repository for subscribing. Image data requests can be made on our "Image Sets On-Demand" form to be added to the Starbase imaging queue.

12.5" f/9 Quasar Ritchey Chretien (ATEO-3) and image of NGC 6164 imaged and processed by Franck Jobard.

One of the most exciting aspects of receiving image data from this fine instrument is Insight Observatory now has the ability to capture deep-sky gems of the southern hemisphere to offer to educational programs and astronomical image processors. If you have any questions regarding the expansion of our remote telescope network by adding ATEO-3, please feel free to Contact Us. 

We would like to welcome Franck to the Insight Observatory team and thank him for sharing his remote imaging system, helping us fulfill our mission of educational outreach utilizing online remote telescopes.

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5th-Graders Image Spring Deep-Sky Objects

Insight Observatory, once again, had the pleasure this school year of working with Ms. Christine DeSantis and her 5th-grade students at the Plymouth South Elementary School located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The students used Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form to acquire deep-sky images from the 16" f/3.7 reflector remote robotic imaging telescope (ATEO-1) located in the dark skies of Pie Town, New Mexico.

M3 - Globular Cluster in Canes Venatici - Image by 5th-Grade Students Lily B., Danielle S., and Hannah M.

Ms. DeSantis states; "As part of our science unit on space, our class received the exciting opportunity to receive some images via a remote telescope in New Mexico. Students visited the Insight Observatory website to learn more about the telescope and its location. They were then paired up to choose some deep-sky images to have photographed. It was particularly exciting for the students to find out that the spring sky is loaded with galaxies. Students chose from a list of open star clusters, spiral galaxies, globular clusters, and planetary nebula. They were thrilled when their images arrived. After seeing their images, students discussed the immensity of distances in space and the variation in galaxy shapes. This was such a motivating and inspiring project. We are very grateful to have been able to benefit from Insight Observatory’s educational outreach program!"

More Spring deep-sky images taken by Ms. DeSantis' 5th-grade students using Insight Observatory's
Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO-1).

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Insight Observatory Reflections: NGC 2264 - The Cone Nebula

As posted previously, Insight Observatory is currently collaborating with Mr. Michael Gyra and his "Astro Junkies" at Barnstable High School, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Mr. Gyra has all five of his senior astronomy classes utilizing the Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) online remote robotic telescopes to image deep-sky objects in the night sky. The students are using Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form to submit their image requests to its 16" f/7 reflector remote telescope located remotely at an elevation of 7,778 ft in Pie Town, New Mexico.

This program was made possible by a generous grant from the Barnstable Education Foundation. After the students received their deep-sky images, Mr. Gyra tasked them with an assignment designated "Insight Observatory Reflections". The assignment includes students writing about their experience using Insight Observatory's ATEO-1, the result of their image, and some scientific facts about the deep-sky object. Here is the second installment from Class D, NGC 2264, "The Cone Nebula"...

NGC 2264, The "Cone Nebula" in Monoceros - Imaged on ATEO-1 by Colby P. and Anthony A.

"I, along with all of the astronomy classes, am very grateful that Insight Observatory gave us the privilege to image celestial objects of all kinds, and I am thankful for the Barnstable Educational Foundation for their generous grant to make this possible. Not only did this opportunity allow us the chance to learn more about telescopes, imaging, and celestial bodies, but it, more importantly, gave us a picture to call our own and carry around with us forever. My partner and I knew we wanted to image a diffuse nebula, so we searched for the coolest gaseous shapes we could find. We ended up choosing the Cone Nebula, which is shaped like a cone, hence the name. The Cone Nebula is cataloged as NGC 2264, located in the constellation Monoceros, nearly 2,700 light-years away from Earth. We were expecting a very cool image, but what we received was even better than I could have imagined. Not only did the telescope capture the Cone Nebula, but it captured the Christmas Tree around it as well. In the image, you can see stars of all colors and magnitudes, gases from nebulae, and much more to wow the eye. 

Insight Observatory provided us with the opportunity of a lifetime because I’m sure many of us may never have a chance to image the heavens again. I hope that many other classes and schools can provide their students with the educational outreach our teacher, Mr. Gyra, has, in finding wonderful opportunities like Insight Observatory has to offer. Not only is this an educational learning experience, but it is more than that, possibly life-changing. It has given me a different perspective on what is beyond Earth and our solar system and has piqued my curiosity about what is over our heads in the cosmos.

Colby P., Barnstable High School "Astro Junkie".

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Insight Observatory Reflections: IC 1805 - The Heart Nebula

Insight Observatory is currently collaborating with Mr. Michael Gyra and his "Astro Junkies" at Barnstable High School, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Mr. Gyra has all five of his senior astronomy classes utilizing the Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) online remote robotic telescopes to image deep-sky objects in the night sky. The students are using Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form to submit their image requests to its 16" f/7 reflector remote telescope located remotely at an elevation of 7,778 ft in Pie Town, New Mexico.

This program was made possible by a generous grant from the Barnstable Education Foundation. After the students received their deep-sky images, Mr. Gyra tasked them with an assignment designated "Insight Observatory Reflections. The assignment includes students writing about their experience using Insight Observatory's ATEO-1, the result of their image, and some scientific facts about the deep-sky object. The "Astro Junkies" from his first block (Block D) were kind enough to share their papers with us. All of them were very inspiring, and we would like to share a few of them with you in our blog, starting with IC 1805, The "Heart Nebula"...

IC 1805, The "Heart Nebula" in Cassiopeia - Imaged on ATEO-1 by Lauren S. and Kristen A.

"I was working with a friend, scrolling through Insight’s website, gazing at all of the opportunities we had. We could pick M42, or M1, or M57! The possibilities seemed endless--nebulae, planets, star clusters. Finally, we came to a decision: IC 1805, The Heart Nebula in Cassiopeia. Valentine’s Day is around the corner, the nebula was in flawless view in the nighttime sky, and the timing seemed perfect. This emission nebula was laced with hydrogen, the reddish hue screaming to be imaged from the website. The decision was made in record time: we had to image this beautiful nebula. Since it is only 7,500 light-years away from Earth, the Heart Nebula would have an advantage over some of the farther-away images. The telescope would be able to capture the detail that we had seen in professional images online.

And then came the waiting period. This was the hardest part of our project. We ached to see the beautiful nebula in all its glory. Every day was 24 hours closer to the most exciting part of our week. Finally, Mr Gyra showed us our images. My partner and I were astonished. The image came out so much better than we could have ever hoped for; the outlines of the hydrogen were exquisite, and the foreground stars had the most beautiful diffraction lines I had ever seen. The Heart Nebula had finally reached us, here on Cape Cod. This experience was completely made possible by the Barnstable Educational Foundation’s funding for our astronomical learning and the great minds over at the Insight Observatory. I personally am wholly thankful for their dedication to our education and the expansion of our horizons out into the unknown. If it weren’t for them, I probably never would have experienced something so outwardly, especially not to this degree. The BEF and Insight Observatory made it possible for students to do their own research on something they were passionate about, which is really the true essence of learning and education. This is why I am grateful for their kind efforts, and this is why I wanted to become a varsity stargazer in the first place.

With gratitude, Lauren S., Barnstable High School "Astro Junkie"."

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Public Library Deep-Sky Imaging Workshop

On Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, Insight Observatory Science Educator, Steven Davies, and I had the pleasure of presenting Insight Observatory's first public Deep-Sky imaging workshop outside of the classroom. The event was held at the Cotuit Public Library located on Main Street, Cotuit, Massachusetts. The purpose of the workshop was to provide a primer on how remote robotic telescopes acquire deep-sky imaging data and how it is then processed.

Insight Observatory Project Developer, Michael Petrasko and Science Educator, Steven Davies describing the remote location of the Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO).  Photo by Michael Davies.

I started the workshop off with an introduction to Insight Observatory and its mission of astronomy education outreach. I also introduced the organization's network of Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) and how they are accessed and operated. Steve then took over the presentation providing an informative talk on what types of deep-sky objects exist in our night skies, such as galaxies, star clusters, and the different types of nebulae. Steve explained the unique characteristics and scientific origin as well as how images of these astronomical objects are created from data acquired from remote robotic telescopes.

After Steve concluded his part of the talk, I had all the participants go to Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) form (also used for classroom projects) on a device connected to the WiFi at the library such as a Chromebook®, iPad®, Smartphone or laptop computer. Adding a little fun, I walked around with a top hat that was filled with names of deep-sky images that the group picked randomly and would image.

Images from the Cotuit Library Deep-Sky Imaging Workshop - M1, The Crab Nebula imaged on ATEO-2A by R. Morrata, M101 - The Pinwheel Galaxy imaged on ATEO-1 by D. Boyd and Barnard 33 - The Horsehead Nebula imaged on ATEO-1 by M. Thomas.

After the deep-sky object names were pulled from the top hat, the group then followed along with instructions on how to submit their deep-sky image request on the EIR form. After all of the image request submissions were completed, I explained how the image requests were uploaded to the remote telescope queues to be acquired. "How long will it take to get our images back?" many of the attendees inquired. Fortunately, we were able to deliver their requested deep-sky images to them completely processed within a week due to clear evenings at our remote telescope's hosting facility, SkyPi Remote Observatory located in Pie Town, New Mexico.

We would like to thank Antonia and Gus at the Cotuit Library for giving Insight Observatory the opportunity to conduct this workshop. If your library or other organization has an interest in having Insight Observatory conduct a remote robotic telescope imaging workshop, please Contact Us.

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Collaboration with SkyPi Remote Observatory

Sublime Skies, LLC DBA Insight Observatory is pleased to announce a joint Education Outreach collaboration with SkyPi Online Observatory, LLC!  

SkyPi Remote Observatory was conceived as an installation of automated roll-off observatories with telescope piers with the purpose of hosting remote imaging telescopes by John and Jan Evelan of Mesa, Arizona back in 2012. "The facility is dedicated to providing a superb remote imaging environment for the discriminating astrophotographer" as stated by John Evelan. "The remote observatory site is located in Pie Town, New Mexico with a population of approximately 200. It is arguably among the darkest sky sites in the lower 48 states. There are many other advantages that come along with this site. As I began planning the observatory, I realized that sharing and hosting the site was a natural evolution for it. The goal is to make remote observing accessible and more affordable to the astronomy community."

Remote Robotic Telescopes are hosted in SkyPi Remote Observatory's Alpha Observatory. 
Image courtesy of SkyPi Remote Observatory.

The comments above are exactly why the founding members of Insight Observatory, Michael Petrasko, and Muir Evenden chose the location for hosting their 16" f/3.7 Dreamscope Astrograph imaging telescope that was installed in May 2017. After carefully searching for the ideal location to host their Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO-1), they chose SkyPi Remote Observatory. Not only did the physical location turn out to be phenomenal for imaging and research but the service provided by John and his talented technicians, Michael and Caleb went completely above and beyond what their expectations were during and after the installation of the telescope. Their response time to any technical issues and special requests is extremely prompt. Insight Observatory could not imagine hosting its remote robotic telescope anywhere else.

IC 405 - The Flaming Star Nebula imaged by Insight Observatory on 16" F/3.7 Remote Telescope 
hosted at SkyPi Remote Observatory.

As their business relationship flourished and Michael Petrasko was onsite this past May on a routine telescope maintenance visit, John and he were discussing the online ATEO Portal Muir had designed and developed for accessing the ATEO-1 remote telescope via the internet. John asked if "any" telescope could be accessed via the online portal and when Michael replied yes, John opened up one of SkyPi's roll-off observatories that houses a Williams Optics 5" f/7 with a one-shot CCD camera attached. John then continued, "Even this one?".  That's when SkyPi's 5" f/7 refractor became Insight Observatory's very first affiliate imaging telescope on its network and has been designated ATEO-2. Currently, the crew at SkyPi is in the midst of configuring an 11" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that will be dedicated to planetary imaging. This imaging system will be known as ATEO-3.

M51 - The "Whirlpool Galaxy" imaged by Bob Birket on his Optics 12-inch RCOS Astrograph hosted at SkyPi Remote Observatory. Automated Roll-Off Roof Observatories Alpha, Bravo, and Gamma to the right.

John and Jan Evelan share the same passion for educational outreach the founding members of Insight Observatory do. After ATEO-2 was configured by the crew of SkyPi to be accessed by Insight Observatory, it became accessible on Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) Form for classroom projects. ATEO-2 can also be accessed on their Public Image Request (PIR) Form as well. The telescope will be added to the online ATEO Portal within the next couple of months.

An Observatory housing n 18" Dobsonian Telescope was constructed so clients could enjoy observing in the dark skies at SkyPi. The telescope will also be used for Education Outreach events as well. 
Images courtesy of SkyPi Remote Observatory.

Both companies met on a video conference call this past Labor Day weekend to discuss possible joint ventures where both entities may accomplish their common goals for education outreach. Insight Observatory could not be more enthusiastic to partner up with SkyPi Remote Observatory on these!

If you are looking for the ideal spot to host your imaging system, we strongly recommend SkyPi. Other Astro-imagers have found SkyPi Remote Observatory to be the ultimate hosting solution other than Insight Observatory. You may read all of their positive feedback on their Testimonials page on their website. Also, check out the images taken by SkyPi's hosting clients on their image gallery.

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Educational Image Request Form for Classrooms

Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request form for the Astronomical Telescopes for Educational Outreach (ATEO) is now available for use with classroom teachers and students.

The staff at Insight Observatory would like to thank the Plymouth Public School District located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for allowing a few of their classes to participate in a trial program utilizing the ATEO remote robotic imaging telescope integrated with the Educational Image Request form (EIR) for their astronomy research projects.

Secure login for access to the  Insight Observatory ATEO Educational Image Request Form.

The process begins with an account created by the teacher for their class. Once the account is created, credentials are created for the EIR form that each student in the class would use to access the form. When the students log into the EIR form, they are then prompted to enter their name followed by requesting a deep-sky astronomical object to image with the requested exposure parameters. 

There is a drop-down set of user instructions for completing the form. When a deep-sky object is chosen, a message will appear confirming that the object is visible that night for imaging. Once the EIR form is submitted by the student, the class instructor receives a receipt of the student's request and the image request is then submitted into the ATEO remote imaging telescopes queue.

Screenshot of the Insight Observatory's Educational Image Request (EIR) Forms for the ATEO telescope network.

A couple of examples of classes using the EIR form with the Astronomical Telescope for Education were 5th-grade students at Plymouth South Elementary School, MA and earth science students at Plymouth North High School, MA, and senior astronomy students at Barnstable High School, MA.

M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy imaged on the Astronomical Telescope for Educational Outreach, ATEO-2A (upper right) by students from Middletown Public Schools, Connecticut.

If you are an educator interested in using the ATEO Educational Image Request form for your classroom projects, please Contact Us for a FREE consultation and 15-min online training on the EIR application.

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