Sky Pollution /Teaching of Astronomy

Title: Radio frequency contamination between 50 and 200 MHz in northern Chile

Diaz Pavez, Mauricio Alonso

Mauricio Diaz, Ricardo Bustos. Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción

Abstract: To find a low RFI site, in December 2014 MARI observed at seven different sites in the Region of Antofagasta as shown in Figure. During 2015, MARI focused observing at the best site found that we called “MARI site”. Results from these campaigns are presented here, providing the average spectrum at each site, the RFI levels, and the RFI occupancy of the spectrum as % of the time.

Click here to see the full poster (Diaz Pavez, Mauricio Alonso)

Title: A cryogenic ion-trap for astrochemical studies

Martínez Ledesma, Miguel

Martínez Ledesma, Miguel (UdeC); Reeves, Rodrigo (UdeC); Sanhueza, Pedro (OPCC)

Abstract: We present the design for a new experiment currently being developed in Universidad de Concepcion. This new experiment called "Cosmic Dust Experiment", CoDE, is an action nanoparticle mass spectrometer with a non destructive measurement system. This device will allow for continuous measurement of the sample for an indeterminate amount of time. The design is based on previous work by Tim Esser et al. (2019), Schlemmer et al. (2001) and Schlemmer et al. (2004). The nanoparticle mass spectrometer consists in a ion trap device coupled with an optical system to measure Rayleigh scattering of the trapped particle, this interference pattern can then be analysed using Fourier transform to extract the secular frequency of the particle from which the mass can be calculated. The objective of the experiment is to trap a single dust particle, this will allow us to perform temperature programmed desorption experiments on a single dust grain and measure the binding energies of astronomically relevant species. In addition, we can study the reactivity on the surface of the trapped particle, and the size dependence of said processes.

Click here to see the full poster (Martínez Ledesma, Miguel)

Title: Characterizing the Skies of the Coquimbo Region. Quantitative Analysis of Night Sky Brightness from Selected Sites of Astronomical, Naturalistic, and Touristic Interest

Uchima Tamayo, Juan Pablo

J. P. UCHIMA-TAMAYO{1,2}, R. Angeloni{3,2}, P. Sanhueza{4,2}, M. Jaque Arancibia{1,5,2} \& G. Damke{1,6,2}.

1) Departamento de Astronomía, Universidad de La Serena; 2) Grupo de Investigación para el Cuidado del Cielo Nocturno; 3) NOIRLab - Gemini Observatory; 4) OPCC; 5) Instituto de Investigación Multidisciplinar en Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad de La Serena and 6) AURA}}

Abstract: Already in the 70's, astronomers were among the first scientists to describe how the misuse of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) could affect the natural night sky, causing a loss in our capacity to look at the stars. This is still the case today, also from Chile, a country that has been leading, and will still lead, ground-based astronomical observations for the next foreseeable future. In this poster contribution, we present the results of the master thesis and ongoing PhD project of the lead author of this contribution, developed as part of the ULS/OPCC/AURA collaboration to foster light pollution studies in Chile. The main goal of this effort has been the creation of the first all-sky maps of surface brightness and correlated color temperature of the night skies from selected sites of astronomical, naturalistic and touristic value across the Coquimbo Region.

Click here to see the full poster (Uchima Tamayo, Juan Pablo)

Title: The Eddington’s experiment as a real research experience for undergraduate students in astronomy

Seguel, Juan

Seguel, Juan (NOIRLab); Damke, Guillermo (NOIRLab, ULS) ; Bustos, Gabriela (ULS) ; Leon, Ana (ULS); Suarez, Sebastián(ULS); Segura, Javier (ULS); Sparks, Robert (ULS); Pompea, Steve(NOIRLab, Leiden)

1 NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, 2Universidad de La Serena, 3 Leiden University

Abstract: Nowadays and as a result of the astronomical surveys era, undergraduate students are usually less exposed to the process of collection of astronomical data. Even though students usually take a one-term class on Observational Astronomy with practicum sessions, there are a few special opportunities where a vast set of skills and knowledge in the subject can be tested together. We present the challenges and opportunities that the replication of Eddington’s experiment offer for performing real research with equipment that is readily accessible for many institutions. Exactly 100 years after the original experiment carried out by Sir Arthur Eddington, we replicated the experiment from the Observatorio Interamericano de Cerro Tololo in the Chilean Andes. We formed a team from a collaboration between NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) staff and undergraduate students and professors from the University of La Serena (ULS) . We present the experience gained after conducting a real experiment in uncommon observing conditions, which needed a special approach based on the theoretical knowledge gained in classes. Finally, we present the problems that we faced in the realization of the experiment and the possible solutions.

Click here to see the full poster (Seguel, Juan)