Qatar National Library Signs Agreement with Las Cumbres Observatory

Doha, December 27 (QNA) - Qatar National Library will give Qatar's astronomers and scientists access to world-leading robotic telescopes from the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in the US. The agreement makes the Library one of LCO's Global Sky Partners, supported by the Simons Foundation, a flagship program recently recognized by the HundrED Foundation as one of the 100 most innovative educational projects in the world for 2021. Through the program, an unlimited number of students will have access to 50 hours of viewing through LCO's robotic telescopes. Teachers will guide students in special lectures at the Library as they look at planets, asteroids and comets using the powerful technology. Commenting on the link-up with Global Sky Partners, Hind Al Khulaifi, Manager of the Children's and Young Adults' Library at the Library, said: "This partnership represents a huge milestone for our role in spreading enthusiasm for science in the community and makes us a hub in Qatar for astronomy research projects. "We want people to ask questions about the universe and to help empower the next generation of scientists, researchers and philosophers. We also want to use the excitement that outer space generates to increase public understanding of science and scientific methods, and to show inquisitive minds that science is a pathway to discovery and knowledge. "We hope the exciting link-up with LCO will help us to increase science awareness in communities and stimulate the scientific curiosity of learners from a young age." Dr. Edward Gomez, education director at LCO, said: "With Global Sky Partners, we have the opportunity to inspire communities that would not normally have the opportunity to use our robotic telescope network. "We are very pleased to be working with Qatar National Library to realize this potential for Qatar and look forward to introducing a new audience to science through robotic telescopes." LCO is a non-profit science institute based in California with the mission of advancing science and education. Its global telescope network was founded in 2005 by technologist Wayne Rosing, with groups and organizations from around the world competing to become a Global Sky Partner through an open round of proposals. This new initiative, as well as the popular Astronomy Club, is part of the Library's Science Book Forum. This special program encourages the next generation to enroll in science and engineering studies in Qatar and the MENA region by promoting science books and topics. (QNA)