Merrimack College Astronomical Research Group
The Merrimack College Astronomical Research Group (MCARG) was started in 2019 with the goal of providing research opportunities in the astronomical sciences to undergraduate students at Merrimack College. Our on-campus facilities include a research-grade 18" Ritchey-Chretien telescope, several CCD detectors, an astronomical spectrometer, and several portable telescopes for outreach and visual observation. We also utilize the iTelescope remote telescope network, which gives us access to dark sky observation sites around the world. The initial focus of the group has been observations of Cataclysmic Variable stars and supernovae. These pages provide some detail on the group, it's members, and our work.
The 18" RC telescope, housed in the Merrimack Observatory.
The goals of the Merrimack College Astronomical Research Group are:
To provide undergraduate students at Merrimack College with a research experience in astronomical science at the earliest possible time, such as in their first or second year.
To gather data on astronomical transients - variable stars, supernovae, asteroids, exoplanet transits, galaxies - using a network of 0.5-m class telescopes.
Teach undergraduates how to perform basic photometric analysis on these sources.
Submit data to appropriate public archives
Engage with the rest of the Merrimack community by discussing and presenting our work.