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Become a Friend of the Astronomical Research Institute
Defending the home planet from potential future asteroid impacts is a primary objective of the Astronomical Research Institute. Working in cooperation with major observatories world-wide on NASA's Near Earth Object Observations Program has allowed ARI to bring real the real science of astronomy directly to the classroom by using the Internet. With such large out reach to students and teachers in 9 countries worldwide, we need the help of volunteers to continue our future growth.
ARI serves high school, college and university students across the U.S. and the world as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. This program in near earth objects has become larger than a single person can undertake with over 400 awards going out to students globally in May 2008. In the past year over 3,000 measurements of Near Earth Objects were made by student and instructors.
1. Volunteer efforts of educators and astronomers interested in making a difference in education in the classroom are invited to help bring astronomy in near real time to students. In particular, we are in need of those who are interested in checking student data before it arrives at ARI for accuracy. We also need astronomers who can check image data for asteroids and comets that students might have missed to the inventory at the Minor Planet Center.
2. ARI needs volunteers who have the ability to communicate with the press on behalf of teachers and students to inform them of achievements by individual researchers. As students and instructors make discoveries we need to inform the press of their achievements. Those with the ability to write articles for the news or have the ability to research the Internet for sources of media in the region of schools globally are invited to participate in our education and public outreach programs.
3. A financial donation to ARI is important to help us bring real science directly to the classroom such as constructing instrumentation to effectively conduct research in astronomy. Future goals at ARI include construction of a larger telescope to help NASA reach their new goal of cataloging 90% of all near earth objects to 140 meters in diameter. In addition, ARI needs to keep up with technology by improving our current instrumentation with adaptive optics and with improved high quantum efficiency CCD cameras. You donation in terms of dollars and equipment are greatly appreciated and will make a difference in student education.
If you have an interest in participating in one of these areas as a friend of ARI, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at (217) 345-2200 or you can email us at astrores@yahoo,com
Robert E. Holmes
Astronomical Research Institute
7644 N.C.R. 10800E
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 345-2200