3 ms·

I had an idea a while ago for a "telescope as a service" platform. The idea was to build relatively small telescopes and put them in ideal places (maybe partner

I had an idea a while ago for a "telescope as a service" platform. The idea was to build relatively small telescopes and put them in ideal places (maybe partner with existing observatories). They would be fully controllable via api and from a web interface. I was thinking it would be a good educational resource for educators, you could connect and use a telescope right in your classroom during the day, on the other side of the world where it is dark. Researches could buy time and program them to observe the sky as well since as you said, even small telescopes can be useful for some types of astronomy.

Outdoorsman 11y ago
IMO teachers would be very receptive to an opportunity to do just that...if you're thinking of dev for a subscription service my advice would be to keep it affordable--education budgets are much smaller than they should be...
- seiferteric 11y ago
  My inclination would be to make it a non-profit.
  - Outdoorsman 11y ago
    Have some experience with non-profits... Some options for seed money: Partnering--combine your request(s) for funding with other providers, or beneficiaries (schools).."collaborating" is big just now... Grants--arduous route with a steep learning curve in terms of writing effective proposals... Benefactor-- local moneyed enthusiast who wouldn't mind making the news with a bit of altruism... Solo--funding it yourself then selling it... Good luck!
xioxox 11y ago
Such networks already exist, e.g. http://www.faulkes-telescope.com/ http://www.faulkes-telescope.com/ or http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/ http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/
symmetricsaurus 11y ago
If you'd like to try out radio astronomy you can use SALSA: http://vale.oso.chalmers.se/salsa/welcome http://vale.oso.chalmers.se/salsa/welcome You get access to a 2.3 m radio telescope for free, you just need to book a time slot.

Outdoorsman 11y ago

IMO teachers would be very receptive to an opportunity to do just that...if you're thinking of dev for a subscription service my advice would be to keep it affordable--education budgets are much smaller than they should be...

seiferteric 11y ago
My inclination would be to make it a non-profit.
- Outdoorsman 11y ago
  Have some experience with non-profits... Some options for seed money: Partnering--combine your request(s) for funding with other providers, or beneficiaries (schools).."collaborating" is big just now... Grants--arduous route with a steep learning curve in terms of writing effective proposals... Benefactor-- local moneyed enthusiast who wouldn't mind making the news with a bit of altruism... Solo--funding it yourself then selling it... Good luck!

xioxox 11y ago

Such networks already exist, e.g. http://www.faulkes-telescope.com/ http://www.faulkes-telescope.com/ or http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/ http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/

symmetricsaurus 11y ago

If you'd like to try out radio astronomy you can use SALSA: http://vale.oso.chalmers.se/salsa/welcome http://vale.oso.chalmers.se/salsa/welcome You get access to a 2.3 m radio telescope for free, you just need to book a time slot.