Research Telescopes and Data
Astronomical research requires advanced telescopes, which are often prohibitively expensive and may not be a priority for African state governments to procure for academic institutions.
At PACS e-Lab, our science engagements with the African public include active participation from those in academic institutions. To support our astronomical research endeavors, we submitted telescope time proposals to educational and outreach entities such as the Las Cumbres Observatory, Slooh, and MicroObservatory. These organizations empower groups like ours to operate their robotic telescopes for educational and research purposes. Strategically located at some of the best astronomical sites worldwide, these telescopes offer optimal viewing conditions for various celestial observations.
With internet connectivity, we can access and control these telescopes remotely from various locations across Africa using smartphones or computers, making astronomical research both accessible and convenient. Through these telescopes, our citizen astronomers engage in real-time data collection and conduct meaningful research projects, including monitoring variable stars, observing double stars, and contributing to exoplanet studies.
This approach not only provides an authentic experience in astronomical observation but also empowers African citizen scientists to contribute valuable data to the global astronomy community. Full details about these telescopes are provided below.
Las Cumbres Observatory
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is a global network of robotic telescopes designed for research, education, and outreach in astronomy. Its network includes telescopes of various sizes situated at multiple locations around the world, enabling continuous observations across time zones and hemispheres. This configuration is especially advantageous for time-sensitive and long-duration observations, as it allows LCO to provide nearly uninterrupted coverage of celestial events.
As part of the LCO Global Sky Partners program, PACS e-Lab has access to LCO’s 0.4-meter telescopes, which serve as our primary source of observational data. These observations are carried out using the DeltaRho 0.4-m telescope, equipped with a QHY600PH-M CMOS camera featuring a Sony IMX455 sensor with 3.76 μm pixels. In full-frame mode, this configuration provides a field of view of 1.96° × 1.3°, while the central30 mode covers a 30′ × 30′ region. In some cases, the images were binned 2×2, resulting in an effective plate scale of 1.48″ per pixel. The data obtained with this setup are utilized by PACS e-Lab for studies of double stars, exoplanet observations, and the development of astrophotography visualizations.
MicroObservatory
The MicroObservatory is a network of automated, ground-based telescopes developed by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. It is designed to enable students, educators, and citizen scientists to conduct hands-on astronomy investigations by remotely controlling telescopes via the internet. The system enables users to capture images of a wide range of celestial objects, including the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae, making it a versatile and effective tool for observing phenomena in the night sky.
PACS e-Lab leverages the MicroObservatory for exoplanet observations, enabling participants to detect and analyze transits of exoplanets across their host stars. This capability is particularly valuable for citizen science, as it allows users across different locations to access a reliable remote telescope and contribute to meaningful astrophysical research. Most observations are obtained using Cecilia, one of the MicroObservatory telescopes located at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Arizona. Each telescope in the network is equipped with a 6-inch diameter primary mirror, a focal length of 560 mm, and a custom Kodak KAF-1400 CCD detector with 6.9 μm pixels. This optical configuration provides a field of view of 0.94° × 0.72°, and with 2×2 pixel binning yields an effective image scale of approximately 5″ per pixel.
Slooh
PACS e-Lab utilizes Slooh’s telescopes to support its mission in astronomical education. Through Slooh, participants can remotely observe diverse celestial objects, enabling real-time exploration and data collection. This access enriches PACS e-Lab’s outreach programs and educational initiatives, fostering a hands-on approach to learning about astronomy.
Other Data Sources
Astronomical datasets for asteroid hunting are provided directly by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), which, in turn, receives these data from the Pan-STARRS and Catalina Sky Survey programs. These datasets enable participants to search for, identify, and report moving objects, contributing to ongoing efforts in near-Earth object detection and tracking.
PACS e-Lab also utilizes publicly available archival data from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope, primarily for astrophotography and visual interpretation purposes, supporting education, outreach, and the development of high-quality astronomical visualizations.