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How to Use Remote Radio Telescopes Through the Internet

Amateur astronomers have access to some of the most advanced telescopes on the planet with the caveat they get to use them online. Many space telescopes used by governments or universities allow amateur astronomers to see live webcasts of the telescopes' views. Some will, for a short time, focus on a specific set of coordinates provided by a user.

Instructions

- 1
  Direct your Web browser to the NASA website and follow the links to the NASA and space shuttle webcams (see "Resources").
- 2
  Select the telescope feed you wish to observe. Options include the Florida Space Coast series of telescopes and webcams, the Spaceflight Now webcam and the NASA TV webcam, which ties in with several NASA-based telescopes. Open the webcam browser and observe the celestial objects the agency is concentrating on at the time.
- 3
  Direct your browser to www.telescopes.org and take advantage of the school's telescope program. This website allows views from the Bradford Robotic Telescope and several others at Mount Teide, Tenerife.
- 4
  Email or snail mail the telescope team at the Mount Teide, Tenerife, observatory area coordinates for a celestial body you would like to observe. The team will schedule a time to direct one of the telescopes at your provided coordinates. Tune in at the scheduled time for your observation results.

Astronomy