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M. T. Carini, D. Barnaby, B. Fitzgerald, M. Richardson, R. F. Gelderman, K. Hackney, R. Hackney, C. H. McGruder III, R.L. Scott (Western Kentucky University)
Western Kentucky University is in the process of converting our 24" telescope to a robotic facility. The facility will operate in three different modes: local observer, remote observer and autonomous. The local observer mode will allow continued use of the telescope for hands on training of advanced undergraduates while the remote and autonomous modes will provide increased observatory efficiency for undergraduate and faculty research projects. Two major science programs will be initiated on the telescope: monitoring of active galactic nuclei and searches for transits of extra solar planets. This presentation will describe the details of the facility upgrades and projected uses of this robotic telescope. The authors gratefully acknowledege support from both NASA and Western Kentucky University for this project.