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Document URL: http://www.ulo.ucl.ac.uk/news/20078-archive/2007-08-13-NAGTY/index.html Leave print version
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NAGTY 2007

On 14th August, the facilities at ULO were used by the NAGTY (National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth) Astrophysics Summer School 2007. This is a two-week residential course for 11-16 year-olds, based at Imperial College London, and led by Dr Adam Burnley. The theme of this year's summer school was the Sun, covering everything from solar activity and the solar cycle through to solar evolution.

After a tour of ULO, the students embarked upon a day of activities. Unfortunately, the truly dreadful weather made solar observing impossible; however, everyone had chance to see a demonstration of the workings of the Radcliffe telescope, and to examine, close up, one of the Meade telescopes. The students also undertook a computer-based experiment to determine the rotation period of the Sun using sunspot data. In addition, there was the opportunity to study a number of Mount Palomar Sky Survey prints, searching for objects such as interstellar dust clouds and planetary nebulae.

This was the first visit to an astronomical observatory for most of the seventeen participants. Despite the awful weather, the event was a huge success, with everyone getting an incredible amount from their day at ULO.

ULO demonstrators Rosie Willatt and Matt Austin introduced the students to the telescopes and helped them using the astronomical software.


NAGTY Students in the Radcliffe dome NAGTY Students in the Radcliffe dome
NAGTY Students in the Radcliffe dome


Demonstration of a portable Meade telescope. Demonstration of a portable Meade telescope. Students could try out the manual control set to move the telescope.


Student analysing sunspot data. Student analysing sunspot data...
Student calculating the Sun's rotational period. ...to calculate the Sun's rotational period.


NAGTY students and staff on the stairs of the Wilson Building NAGTY students and staff on the stairs of the Wilson Building before going back to Imperial College.