Scanning the Auroral Skies: The Athabasca University Robotic Telescope

Abstract

The Athabasca University Robotic Telescope (AURT) is a moderate aperture (0.36 m) networked robotic telescope that supports teaching and research at Athabasca University, a pioneering and prominent distance learning university in Canada. This paper reviews the establishment and implementation of a robotic, Internet-based astronomical observatory whose development parallels and complements Athabasca University’s auroral observatory. We discuss the unique features and challenges of the northern observing environment, give examples of teaching and research activities underway at AURT, and discuss an investigation into dark sky conditions over the AURT site.