Credits


Telescopes "Ben" and "Cecilia" at the Whipple Observatory in Amado, AZ. Photo Credit: Dan Brocious/SAO

Observing With NASA (OWN) is an initiative to enhance public understanding of scientific inquiry and of NASA's space science research via the use of the MicroObservatory online robotic telescopes. The project is funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate, and managed by the Science Education Department at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The Space Telescope Science Institute serves as Educational Partner to the project.

Thanks to the organizations and individuals who have contributed to the increased accessibility of the MicroObservatory telescopes to diverse audiences:

  • MIT Kavli Institute of Astrophysics and Space Research (MKI)
  • The Youth Astronomy Apprenticeship program at MKI
  • The Timothy Smith Network of Community Centers
  • The many science advisors, teachers and informal educators who have reviewed, piloted and field-tested MicroObservatory materials

The MicroObservatory Team

  • Director: Roy Gould
  • Project Manager: Mary Dussault
  • Telescope Engineer: Frank Sienkiewicz
  • Electronics & Software Engineer: Paul Antonucci
  • Education Specialist: Erika Wright
  • Education Specialist: Harry Houghton
  • Software Applications Specialist: Alaalden Ibrahim
  • JS9 Developer: Eric Mandel (Programming support, SAO)

Founding Team Members:

  • Philip Sadler
  • Freeman Deutsch
  • Robert Kimberk
  • Steve Leiker
  • Paul Antonucci
  • Kenneth Brecher
  • Owen Gingerich

Past work on the MicroObservatory telescopes, network, curriculum development and dissemination has been funded by the National Science Foundation (RED 9155723, RED 9454767, IMD 9730351) with additional support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NCC5-705, NCC5-706) and from the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard University. We have also received in-kind support from Apple Computer, Kodak, and Minolta Corporation.