Colorado Mesa University

The Maverick : Winter 2019

The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.

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“If you look at a man-made satellite from one location, you’ll gain a certain amount of data based on the optical signature of the satellite. That will tell you something. But if you can look at that same object simultaneously from a second telescope at a different geographical location, you can learn much more about the characteristics and features of the satellite.” The telescopes are also perfect for studying planets orbiting other stars in the galaxy and for observational measurements on binary and variable star systems and supernovas, Chun said. CMU Associate Professor of Physics Jared Workman, PhD, said access to the telescope will greatly enhance and alter the way he teaches astronomy at the university. “I’m a theorist by training, meaning I essentially do analysis with pencil and paper. I’m not an observational astronomer,” he said. “So, from my perspective, this opens up a lot of opportunities to actually make the connection for my students between objects and how we study them…until now, students had no way of knowing how we get the data, but this allows me to bring a little bit of that science into the classroom.” CMU students, and astronomers around the world, will be able to view the data from a computer screen (in-person access at the satellite location isn’t allowed). And students at all levels of education, from kindergarten on up, will be able to utilize the network as a learning tool. “Our primary motivation for creating this network, beyond Air Force Academy use, is STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) outreach,” Chun said. “We’ve created a program we call First STEM Light in which we ask K-12 students around the world to propose objects to be studied. We’ll collect data, then send it to the students and their teachers. It’s really an amazing thing for them to view.” Workman sees the partnership with the Falcon Telescope Network as a valuable asset to attract talented high school STEM students to CMU, and to entice underclassmen to consider science as a field of study during their time at the university. Afterall, CMU is now part of a global space community. •

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