Yerkes Observatory (373 West Geneva Street, Williams Bay, WI 53191)

August 11-12 for the night-time Perseids Meteor Showers, with a special session on the latest technologies and space science research. (Nap time will be scheduled!!)

Contact Person: Vivian Hoette [email protected] 262-245- 5555x815.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Richard Kron, Director of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

When you are not observing, where will you sleep?

Lodging: George Williams College GWC, Williams Bay, WI 53191 (Aurora University campus on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin). 262-245-8520 telephone; 262-245-8590 fax. Rates depending on type of room are: per person $80- 100/night for a single; per person $60-70/night for double occupancy. A block of 28 rooms have been reserved for this conference. We have reserved lodging for August 10th (if you want to come in the night before) and August 11th. GWC is a walk down the hill and through the woods from Yerkes Observatory (or just a short drive.) Please reserve on or before July 1st. Sheets, blankets, and towels are provided. There are other lodging choices in the area. Google zip code 53191 or the cities of Williams Bay, Delavan, Lake Geneva for other accommodations.

Meals other than working lunches may be purchased at GWC with a meal ticket, or perhaps you want to sample our local fare.

Gear: Bring a sweatshirt, long pants, and tennis shoes for night observing. We have windy stairs and don’t want to have anyone tripping on flip flops. Insect repellant and after bite lotion are suggested. If you plan to watch for meteors, you may want to bring a sleeping bag or lounge chair so it is easy to look up at the sky.

Topics Listed below are many technologies associated with astronomy. However these technologies are similar to others that are featured in the variety of IMSP programs and we would like to welcome any IMSP participant to share their expertise with us. We will thread presentations and sessions together that emphasize the process of doing science and math with technology.

Sessions may include many of these topics as well as those that our other participants bring to the table:

Observing and Imaging Technologies  The World’s Largest Refracting Telescope, the 40 inch telescope in the 90 foot rotating dome, accessed for observing on a 75 foot diameter elevator floor.  The 24 inch reflecting telescope with a CCD (charge coupled device) camera for taking digital images. Educators who have participated in the Astronomy Resources Connecting Schools will teach you the basics of operating the telescope and taking digital images.  Yerkes and the ARCS teachers have smaller telescopes on the grounds or that can be set up on the lawn for observing and/or using with a variety of digital equipment for taking images. Some of these systems use GPS technology to ‘know their location’ and orient themselves to the sky.

Communication Systems  The Collaboratory: Many important documents that have been generated to support IMSP projects are on the Collaboratory. If you do not yet have an account on the Collaboratory, please login and create one for yourself so we can add you to the IMSP projects’ resources.  The i-Visit communication system allows users to interact with each other using webcams, chat windows, shared documents, etc. You can see and hear others who are logged on. By purchasing and educational package, one can setup their own accounts for interaction that is not bothered with advertisements and where many users can interact at the same time.

Image Processing and Data Analysis  You will be introduced to a variety of image display, analysis and processing systems that are designed for astronomical applications.  Analyzing images offers many opportunities to link science and mathematics in a compelling visual system. Simulators and Planetarium Programs  You can learn to manipulate planetarium programs and simulators to show your students the Universe without ever stepping out into the chilly night air.

Data Archives and Data Mining  Imagine analyzing images from a professional astronomy survey or space telescope! Your students could be creating projects that are of interest to the astronomy community and even discover new objects or add to the research on known objects. Teach your students to work with real data that is accumulating faster and faster. Astronomy is a field where everyone can join in the process and access data that is rich in information just waiting for us to explore.

Telescope Collaborations  There are astronomers in Illinois and elsewhere that would like to share their new images and data to provide discovery opportunities for you and students. Find out what it takes to get involved.

Have you got questions??? … about the Planets, Solar System, Galaxies and the Universe. Come and find out what you can learn for IMSP teachers and their professor mentors!