CLEA:CLEA:An Interactive Teaching and Learning on Earth and Space

Education

Hakim L. Malasan; Bosscha Observatory, ITBHakim L. Malasan; Bosscha Observatory, ITBJ. Aria Utama; Earth & Space Lab., UPI J. Aria Utama; Earth & Space Lab., UPI

HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN ASTRONOMY? ASTRONOMY?

• Hands-on activities, usually in a Hands-on activities, usually in a laboratory setting, help students learn laboratory setting, help students learn through several processes (Hake, 1998).through several processes (Hake, 1998).

•The problems: Astronomy is observati-The problems: Astronomy is observati-onal rather than experimental .onal rather than experimental .

•Real observation = Real observation = (at most cases)(at most cases) time time consuming.consuming.

HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN ASTRONOMY? ASTRONOMY? (Cont.)(Cont.)

• Computer revolution Computer revolution Fast growing Fast growing of simulation in the astronomy lab.of simulation in the astronomy lab.

• Simulations are used widely Simulations are used widely Effectively reduce the risk Effectively reduce the risk oror expense of expense of a real-world exercise.a real-world exercise.

WHY HAVE A LAB COMPONENT WHY HAVE A LAB COMPONENT TO AN ASTRONOMY COURSE? TO AN ASTRONOMY COURSE?

• “ “Interactive Engagement” with real Interactive Engagement” with real astronomyastronomy

•Deeper understanding of the distinction Deeper understanding of the distinction between observation and interpretation, between observation and interpretation, data and theory.data and theory.

•Appreciation of what astronomers do—Appreciation of what astronomers do—the phenomenology of the science. the phenomenology of the science.

PROJECT CLEAPROJECT CLEAContemporary Laboratory Experiences in Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in

AstronomyAstronomy

• Laboratory exercises illustrating modern astronomical Laboratory exercises illustrating modern astronomical techniques (since 1992).techniques (since 1992).

•Designed for non-science majors, but adaptable.Designed for non-science majors, but adaptable.

•Simulation of measurement process.Simulation of measurement process.

•Modern digital data and analysis techniques, using, Modern digital data and analysis techniques, using, wherever possible, real data.wherever possible, real data.

•Modular: each module includes software, student Modular: each module includes software, student workbook(s), technical guide. workbook(s), technical guide.

•Funded by Gettysburg College and the NSF.Funded by Gettysburg College and the NSF.

CLEA: The last decadeCLEA: The last decade

CLEA: Modules from 2007CLEA: Modules from 2007

A collaboration with the A collaboration with the XMM-Newton missionXMM-Newton mission

A collaboration with the A collaboration with the GONG projectGONG project

New CLEA: Modules in 2008New CLEA: Modules in 2008

VIREO - H- R Diagram of

Star Clusters

Roemer Speed of Light Experiment

Jupiter’s Moon

EXAMPLES OF FUNDAMENTAL EXAMPLES OF FUNDAMENTAL ASTRONOMICAL DATA SETSASTRONOMICAL DATA SETS

•The Hubble Guide Star Catalog (coords and mags of The Hubble Guide Star Catalog (coords and mags of ~20 million objects); USNO A2 (5 x10~20 million objects); USNO A2 (5 x1088 objects), … objects), …

•The CfA Redshift Survey (mags, coordinates, The CfA Redshift Survey (mags, coordinates, redshifts of ~5 x 10redshifts of ~5 x 1044 galaxies galaxies

•Pulsar catalogs (coordinates, P, I(Pulsar catalogs (coordinates, P, I(υυ) for ) for ~10~103 3 objects)objects)

•Asteroid elements (coords, mags vs time for ~2 x10Asteroid elements (coords, mags vs time for ~2 x1055 objects)objects)

•Large surveys: 2Mass (IR), SDSS (optical &NIR), Large surveys: 2Mass (IR), SDSS (optical &NIR), 2dF (galaxies), etc. 2dF (galaxies), etc.

Instrumentation of VIREOInstrumentation of VIREO

•3 Optical/IR Telescopes: various apertures3 Optical/IR Telescopes: various apertures

•CCD CameraCCD Camera

•IR CameraIR Camera

•Aperture PhotometerAperture Photometer

•Photon-Counting SpectrometerPhoton-Counting Spectrometer

•Multi-Aperture SpectrometerMulti-Aperture Spectrometer

•Radio Telescope: configurable aperture, etc.Radio Telescope: configurable aperture, etc.

•3 separately tunable receivers3 separately tunable receivers

•Analysis tools forAnalysis tools for

•SpectroscopySpectroscopy

•ImagingImaging

•AstrometryAstrometry