Proud to be part of LJMU,
in partnership with the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust

 

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Telescope

Image Processing

When you use a large telescope, like the LT, you are collecting data. The image is actually a huge grid of numbers. This data comes back in a raw form.

Two side-by-side pictures of a bubble-like, grey cloud against a black background which has lots of small, white dots of stars across it. The image on the left, labelled "Before processing", is more grey and it is difficult to see details of the cloud. The image on the right, labelled "After processing", has a blacker background and details within the cloud are more visible.
This work by The Schools' Observatory is licensed under All rights reserved
M27 (images taken with 2-metre Faulkes Telescope North operated by Las Cumbres Observatory)

Software

Did you know that scientists use special computer programs to explore space? These programs help them control telescopes, take pictures, and plan their observations.

One important thing these programs do is help scientists study pictures of space taken by telescopes.

An image of a star cluster against a black background. Small dots of stars are mostly concentrated in the centre, many of them white in colour but some of them having a blue hue to them. Further out from the middle, a few more stars are scattered around, but they are fewer in number and seem more reddish compared to the others.
This work by The Schools' Observatory is licensed under All rights reserved
A star cluster image taken by the Liverpool Telescope and analysed by our software

Data

Astronomers take images with telescopes because they want to use them to do science research. 

An orange galaxy with cloudy, spiral arms and a white-yellow, bright centre. A small, grey square is drawn around a tiny portion of the galaxy and there is a close-up view box on the image right. This shows many orange pixels with a few black ones.
This work by The Schools' Observatory is licensed under All rights reserved
Digital image of a galaxy

Ricardo Schiavon

Early Life

Ricardo was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His first degree in astronomy is from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Then in 1993, he got a master's degree from the Observatório Nacional in Brazil. Ricardo moved to the University of São Paulo, Brazil to work on a PhD. He was awarded his PhD in 1998.

Research Areas: Galaxy formation, Observational astronomy

 

"I consider myself extremely lucky to be where I am, do what I do, and to be surrounded by so many amazing people here in Liverpool."

 

Mario Hamuy

Early Life

Mario was born in Chile. Although his dad was a politician Mario found a love for science. He got degrees in physics and astronomy from the University of Chile. 

Year born: 1960

Research Areas: Observational Astronomy, Supernovae, Cosmic Distances

 

Susan Murabana Owen

Early Life

Susan grew up in Kenya. She studied economics and sociology at University. She also has a Master’s degree in Astronomy.

Susan thinks every child should have the chance to look through a telescope. There are very few astronomers in Kenya. There was also no access to a planetarium when Susan grew up. This made it tough for children to have a go at using a telescope. Many would not know they could do astronomy as a hobby or choose it as a job.

Research Area: Education, Science Communication, Planetariums, and Astronomy

 

"Astronomy is a huge part of our everyday life and a reminder of how unique and intelligent we are"