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First detection of exoplanet transit in Vietnam
Author: Nguyen-Van, Tue et al
This project conducted the first observations of exoplanet transit conducted with the 600 mm telescope at Quy Nhon Observatory (QNO) in Vietnam. The object of our observation is the exoplanet WASP-3b, transiting its host star WASP-3 with a period of approximately 1.8468 Earth days. Through our observations and modeling, we obtained a magnitude depth of 0.0121 ± 0.007 mag and a planet radius of 1.42 ± 0.05 RJupiter for WASP-3b. This result is consistent with the previous published results and it implies that QNO 600 mm telescope is capable of monitoring short-period exoplanet transits, even at the atmospheric conditions of Quy Nhon city.
Learning Based on Shared Experience: A Proof of Concept at the SAGI summer school in Observational Astronomy
Author: Nguyen-Luong, Quang et al.
Abstract: The SAGI summer school 2023 (3S23) in observational astronomy is organized in the Summer 2023, at the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon, Viet Nam. The goal of 3S23 is to promote astronomy research in Viet Nam and to teach astronomy to students. We report the activities of the school and also highlight its pedagogical approach. Using narrative and observational analysis of participants' own words, we analyze the impacts of the school on participants and on astronomy in Viet Nam. From these results, we propose a new form of teaching, namely Learning Based on Shared Experience (LBSE). LBSE takes into account the diversities in students' backgrounds, languages, analytical, mathematical, abilities, and experiences and create an environment where learners learn and share from each others' experience. This approach is likely effective in teaching subjects that requires collaborations such as sciences and technologies.
Publication: Stars and Galaxies, Volume 6, pp. 2.
Pub Date: December 2023.
A low-cost spectrometer for small telescopes - SpectrumMate
Author: Hien Phan-Thanh , Nguyen Nguyen-Duc, Thuy Le-Quang, Tobias C. Hinse, Quang Nguyen-Luong.
Abstract: This project presents the development and implementation of a compact spectrometer, named SpectrumMate, tailored for small telescopes. Small telescopes offer several advantages: they are cost-effective, occupy less space, and are simpler to set up than larger instruments. This makes them particularly suitable for amateur astronomers and educational institutions with limited resources. Moreover, small telescopes can effectively observe bright celestial objects, enabling valuable con- tributions to astronomical projects. Based on the Sol’EX design, SpectrumMate was constructed using optical components available at the Space and Applications Laboratory1 (SpaceLAB). The in- strument is designed to meet the specific needs of astronomers who require detailed analysis within a limited portion of the spectrum (SpectrumMate has spectral coverage of 368 Å and resolving power 𝑅 = 2666 ). To achieve optimal performance, the design process involved selecting and configuring optical elements, including a collimator, diffraction grating, and objective lens. Experimental setups were tested to minimize spectral dispersion while ensuring the system’s compactness and ease of alignment. Spectra obtained by SpectrumMate demonstrated efficient spectral calibration and the capability to capture high-resolution spectra of bright light sources, such as the Sun, making it a valuable tool for specialised spectroscopic observations. The modular design of SpectrumMate also allows users to change its components easily to achieve the desired spectral range and resolution.
Broadband Low-Resolution Spectrograph - SpectrumMate LR
Author: Nguyen-Duc Nguyen, Le-Quang Thuy, Tobias C. Hinse, Nguyen-Van Tue, and Nguyen-Luong Quang.
Abstract: This paper presents the development and application of SpectrumMate LR, a broad-band, low-resolution spectrograph tailored for use with small telescopes. SpectrumMate LR is designed to offer affordable, accessible spectroscopic capabilities for amateur astronomers and educators, inspired by the need for versatile instruments in amateur and educational settings. Utilising a 300 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠/𝑚𝑚 grating, 80 𝑚𝑚 collimator and objective lenses, SpectrumMate LR is optimised to perform analyses across the visible spectrum, enabling users to classify stars by spectral type, measure stellar temperatures, and test filter transmission ranges. Tests demonstrate SpectrumMate LR’s ability to capture accurate spectral data, validating its efficacy in observing both celestial and terrestrial light sources. This instrument fills a niche for cost-effective spectroscopy, empowering a broader audience to engage in detailed observational astronomy.
Summary
1. Nguyen-Luong, Q., Dinh, V. T., Dobashi, K., Duong-Tuan, A., Hirano, Y., Hoang, J., Hoang, N. D., Itoh, Y., Kurita, M., Le, M. T., Le, N. T., Le, Q. T., Montmerle, T., Nguyen, B., Nguyen, H. H., Nguyen, T. T., Nguyen, T. L., Nguyen, V. T., Peretto, N., Sohn, J., Tran, Q. V., & Tran, T. S. (2023). Learning Based on Shared Experience: A Proof of Concept at the SAGI Summer School in Observational Astronomy. Stars and Galaxies, 6, 2. https://doi.org/10.32231/starsandgalaxies.6.0_2.
2. Nguyen-Van, T., Ngo-Ngoc, H., Hirano, Y., Itoh, Y., Le-Quang, T., Nguyen-Khanh, A., Wood, F., Hoang, J., Hoang, D. N., Montmerle, T., & Nguyen-Luong, Q. (2023). First Detection of Exoplanet Transit in Vietnam. Stars and Galaxies, 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.32231/starsandgalaxies.6.0_7.
3. Hien Phan-Thanh, Nguyen Nguyen-Duc, Thuy Le-Quang, Tobias C. Hinse, Quang Nguyen-Luong. (2025). A low-cost spectrometer for small telescopes - SpectrumMate. ACTA Astronomica. Under review.
4. N. Nguyen Duc, T. Le Quang, C. T. Hinse, H. Phan Thanh, T. Nguyen Van, and Q. Nguyen Luong, “Broadband low-resolution spectrograph - spectrummate lr,” Vietnam Journal of Science, Technology and Engineering, 2025. arXiv: 2506.16153 [astro-ph.IM]. url: https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.16153.
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