About IDAstro
IDAstro is an NSF-funded collaboration between Idaho colleges and Bruneau Dunes Observatory. Bruneau hosts a remotely operable CDK700 Observatory System with a 28-inch telescope, precision mount, and two CMOS cameras, making the observatory suited for photometric observations. However, the park does not currently have funded astronomy ranger positions, which limits its usability for astronomical research. Park administration is primarily focused on developing the outreach aspects of their observatory program and is thus actively seeking research partnerships with Idaho astronomers to develop research programs for their telescopes.
Goals
This project’s goals are to:
- Establish formal research collaborations between the schools in southern Idaho
- Create a research partnership and procedures with the Bruneau Dunes Observatory
- Promote interest in STEM research, especially in Astronomy and Astrophysics