This project, The Texas Observatory for Remote Research and Education, will modify the existing 30 inch telescope dome at the McDonald Observatory in Texas and install a 24 inch remotely operated telescope which will have access to a variety of users, in research and in education. This includes programs provided for students in grades K through 12, community college students, university-level undergraduates, graduate students and the professional astronomical community at-large. Research will be focused primarily on imaging studies (variable stars, extra-solar planet searches, jet variability, asteroid studies) but will also include efforts using low resolution spectroscopy.
The project joins researchers from Rice University with the local community college, Houston Community College, and will include traditionally under-represented groups in Astronomy, women and minorities.