Highgate School uses Faulkes Telescope Project

Highgate School is one of a dozen Development Partner schools that have been putting the Faulkes Telescope North through its paces.

Highgate was chosen to be part of this important trial period because Head of Physics David Smith already has a great deal of experience in using remote astronomy in the classroom.

For the last six years Highgate pupils have been observing the Californian night sky through a small 14 inch telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles through the American Telescopes in Education programme. The students are now making the most of being able to use the much bigger Faulkes Telescope North. Taking observations has become a class activity by controlling the telescope using the whiteboard at the front of the class. The whole group can easily see the commands being entered and request observations.

A student at Highgate controlling Faulkes Telescope North.

David Smith said,"The image quality is stunning and students have already captured images of huge clouds of glowing gas where new stars are forming."

The Trifid Nebula taken by Highgate students.

David Smith has written some Key Stage 4 physics worksheets on various aspects of the Faulkes Telescopes. Click here if you'd like to use them.