Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO)

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Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) hosts a unique network of 21 robotic telescopes that are located at observatories around the world and controlled via the Internet to work as a single instrument. The data from these telescopes is made available through a suite of educational resources, covering an array of astronomical topics. Those include interactive Web apps, classroom activities, educational videos, citizen science projects and more, designed for students from age six to over eighteen.

For the past decade, the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) has deepened our understanding of the Universe by making use of its unique worldwide network of robotic telescopes. Since the beginning of the LCO project, education has been one of its core areas of work. Educators, students and science enthusiasts around the world are invited to participate in this endeavour, by carrying out real scientific investigations and making use of this impressive network.

Data from 21 telescopes of different sizes spread across the globe is made easily accessible through this project. The telescopes can be controlled remotely as a single instrument from anywhere in the world. Educational resources, covering a vast range of astronomical topics, are developed based on these observations and data. They include activities that are dedicated to the solar system, such as how the Sun’s diameter is measured, how asteroids are tracked and their light curves measured, and how the age of planets and their moons is calculated. It is even possible to travel further in the hunt for exoplanets, explore the lifecycle of stars and calculate the age of the Universe itself!

LCO’s activities include interactive Web apps, like SEROL (intended for young people aged eight to fourteen) and Agent Exoplanet (intended for young people aged twelve to eighteen), classroom activities, educational videos, citizen science projects and print materials, such as comics, activity books and paper craft models. In fact, LCO has educational resources that are suitable for audiences ranging from elementary to university.

In 2018, LCO has educational partners based in the United States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Australia, or running entirely online programmes, for students of all ages, teachers, and the wider public. These are groups who use the LCO robotic telescopes to inspire diverse audiences with educational and outreach projects that they support.

 

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