Low‑Cost Telescope (LCT): Active Learning Astronomy

Project Lead: Inseok Song

The Low-Cost Telescope (LCT) Project addresses a critical gap in astronomy education: the lack of scalable, hands-on observational experiences. Traditional astronomy labs rely on expensive, department-owned telescopes, limiting access and reducing opportunities for active learning. Our solution provides each student with an individually operable, low-cost telescope (under $100) paired with a smartphone adapter for digital imaging. This approach democratizes observational astronomy, enabling students to engage in authentic, end-to-end scientific processes—instrument setup, data acquisition, and analysis—rather than relying on pre-collected or remote data. The project will integrate LCT-based activities into multiple undergraduate courses, from introductory astronomy to advanced observation labs, and develop open educational resources (OERs) for national and international dissemination.

The LCT project democratizes observational astronomy by pairing affordable telescopes with student-owned cameras. Learners plan and execute real observations—operating instruments, acquiring data, and analyzing results—to build genuine scientific proficiency.

Get Started (PDF file) | Explore Budget Tiers

Why LCT?

  • Hands-on instrumentation: Students learn telescope setup, alignment, camera operation, and calibration.
  • Authentic data pipeline: End-to-end workflow—from observing to preprocessing, stacking, analysis, and reporting.
  • High access, high skills: 1:1 student-to-telescope model supports repeated practice and deeper learning.
  • Scalable & affordable: Four budget tiers (B1–B4) adapt to K–12, undergraduate, and outreach contexts.

How LCT Compares

Traditional campus observatories offer strong hands-on skills but limited access; robotic telescopes provide access but little instrument proficiency. LCT uniquely delivers both access and skills.

Instructional models in observational astronomy: Access vs. Instrumental Proficiency.

LCT Budget Tiers

Select the configuration that matches your budget, course goals, and desired outcomes.

Overview of LCT budget tiers and typical projects.

B1 • DIY (~$50)

B2 • Entry Imaging (~$100)

Sample setup and an example observation (field-of-view measurement)

B3 • Advanced Imaging (~$200)

B4 • Smart Telescope ($350+)

Getting Started

  1. Choose a tier: B1–B4 based on budget and course level.
  2. Gather materials: Telescope, adapter, filters, and camera (smartphone or CCD/CMOS).
  3. Follow setup guide: Assembly, collimation, and basic alignment.
  4. Complete a starter observation: Moon phases or Galilean moons for quick success.
  5. Process data: Preprocess (darks/flats), stack, and enhance; then analyze measurements.
  6. Report results: Create a brief lab note with images, plots, and conclusions.

Tip: Schedule at least two observing nights per project to build repeatability and confidence.

Example Observation Topics

  • Moon & Venus phases (geometry and orientation)
  • Galilean moons (orbital periods & distances)
  • Uranus motion (angular speed & distance estimate)
  • Light‑pollution mapping (sky brightness vs location)
  • Color‑magnitude diagrams (nearby clusters)
  • Short‑period variables (light curves & period recovery)
  • Asteroid detection (blind search and orbit refinement)
  • Solar rotation & sunspots (time‑lapse and differential rotation)
  • Deep‑sky limit (limiting magnitude vs conditions)

View full topic list & lab manual → (Available only for authorized users currently)

Sample Observations

View some example photos taken with B2 and B4 LCT setups.

What Students Learn

  • Instrument operation: Setup, collimation, alignment, safe solar procedures.
  • Imaging & data handling: Exposure control, stacking, calibration (darks/flats), enhancement.
  • Scientific analysis: Photometry, astrometry, orbital fits, HR diagrams, error analysis.
  • Communication: Evidence‑based reports with figures, captions, and reproducible methods.

Resources

  • Lab Manual: Topic‑level tasks and assessment criteria.
  • Observation Guides: Step‑by‑step setup for B1–B4.
  • Data Analysis Tutorials: Preprocessing, stacking, photometry workflows.
  • Downloadable Assets: Sample images, plots, and code snippets (ESP32‑CAM, image‑stacking).

Educators: Contact us to access OER materials and syllabus templates.

Get Involved

Ready to pilot LCT in your course or outreach program? We can help with equipment, training, and assessment.

Email: song@uga.edu