Telescope and stratospheric balloon testing of novel infrared cameras for astronomy
Supervisor: Dr. Stan Metchev
Project Description (Abstract):
We seek to test the performance of commercial short-wavelength infrared cameras for astronomical observations from stratospheric balloons. Such low-cost cameras have recently become available, and show competitive sensitivity with traditional, much more expensive infrared astronomy cameras. Students involved in this project will perform or analyze observations with these novel cameras. The observations will be obtained either wth 50 cm telescopes at Western’s Elginfield Observatory (25 km north of campus), or during remotely operated flights with stratospheric balloons. Students will learn how to take and reduce astronomical data, how to calibrate remote sensing equipment, and how to control astronomical telescopes.
