Education and public outreach at the Carl Sagan Solar Observatory of the University of Sonora

Abstract

We discuss the importance of small solar observatories for EPO (Education and Public Outreach), mentioning why they are relevant and what kind of equipment and software require. We stress the fact that technological advances have made them affordable and that they should be widely available. This work is a result of our experience with one: The Carl Sagan Solar Observatory (CSSO). We briefly describe its status and the solar data obtained daily with students participation. We present examples of the data obtained in the visible, Ca II and two in Hα. Data which is widely used for education. Finally we talk about the capability for remote operation as an open invitation for collaboration in educational and scientific projects.

Astronomy Communication and Popularization in the Brazilian Amazonia: The Astronomy Nucleus of the Federal University of Pará

“…Several Astronomy research centers, including the ones hosted in universities and observatories, also promote significant educational and public outreach activities worldwide [1]. We can mention, e. g., the public outreach programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) [2], and of the Louisiana State University [3], both in the United States, as well as of the Carl Sagan Solar Observatory of the University of Sonora [4], in Mexico, and of the Observatoire de Haute Provence, in France [5], among others.…”