Category

Sendai Observatory astronomy class for family (2001)

Summary

Summary

On 26th December 2001, an astronomy class using the MUE Internet Telescope was held at Sendai Observatory.
The sky was clear, so we were able to see images of Saturn and Moon by remotely operating the MUE Internet Telescope. And also we operated a computer-controlled telescope at class to actually see how it moves.

Questionnaire Results

From 26th December meeting at Sendai Observatory astronomy class for family
Number of responses: 11 (Parents 5 Pupils 6)

Question 1: Was the meeting easy to understand?

Yes 11(5) number in ( ) is responses from parents.
No 0

Question 2: Was the Internet Telescope easy to operate?

Easy　　　　6(3)
Fairly Easy　　3(1)
Slightly Difficult　1
Difficult　 1(1)
No response　0
Comments:
■It took time when he operated it. It seemed quite hard.
■(Handling of the controls seems difficult.)

Question 3: Did you feel that you got on moving the telescope yourself?

Yes　　　　8(4)
No 　 　 3(1)

Question 4: In the future, when this telescope system is released generally on the Internet and reaches the point where it can be used freely, you think that you will use it?

Yes　　　10(4)
No　　　　　1(1)
Reasons we would like to use it:
■I like stars.　■I can't see stars from my apartment room.
■I can see stars easily.　■It seems interesting.　■I want to know more about stars and moon.
■I can see stars by internet telescope even in daytime. ■(I myself do astronomical observation and would like to set my telescope somewhere and remotely operate it sometime.　)

Reasons for not using it:
■(It could be expensive.)

Question 5:　Which did you prefer observation by Internet Telescope or by actual telescope?

Internet Telescope 0
Actual Telescope 11(5)
Reasons:
■I was able to operate it by myself.　■I was able to watch stars more clearly when I watched by actual telescope.　 ■I think there is a difference between watching stars directly and through internet. But still take advantage from internet telescope because we can see stars when it rains. ■(Actual telescope gives me real sense of watching them by my eyes.)■(I was able to see stars directly through my eyes.)
■(I could see stars more clearly when I used actual telescope. But I think we can observe stars more closely when we use internet telescope because we can watch them sitting in a chair in warm room.)■(Watching directly by my eyes is better to see clearer image. More work seems to be needed to get clear view when cooled ccd data is output on PC.)

Question 6: Which astronomical objects look the most impressive when they are seen for the first time?

■(Moon)　■Jupiter(1)　■Saturn(2)　■(M42)

Question 7:　What other astronomical objects would you like to observe using this system?

■Mars　　■Mercury　　■Polaris　　■(Meteor Showers)　■(comet)　■(Crab Nebula)　
Other opinions, comments and suggested improvements:
■I think you should continue developing telescopes.
■(It was nice to see beautiful moon by the telescope on the roof.)
■(I didn't know about internet telescope before. I am surprised to see how convenient it is.)
■(I hope it will be used at class in schools or hospitals as early as possible.)
■(Data transfer time should be shorter. If we could see not only still images but also movies, that would be more useful. )