Making remote observing approachable and fun for young audiences with Serol’s Cosmic Explorers

Serol’s Cosmic Explorers is a free online resource designed to engage young audiences or audiences without prior astronomy knowledge in remote observing and astronomy. The observing process is simplified and made approachable through interactive challenges and a character-based narrative. In this way, observing can become accessible to new audiences. Serol’s Cosmic Explorers takes the user through 3 missions containing multiple challenges, each focussing on different astronomical objects. The user takes their own images of space with the Las Cumbres Observatory 0.4 meter telescope network, and goes through a guided analysis to help them develop scientific thinking and learn more about the target object. Complimenting the observing missions are plenty of other educational materials, including animated videos, activities, and a video game. This provides a cohesive, fun, and self-contained learning environment. Serol’s Cosmic Explorers is aimed in particular at children aged 8 years and above, and can be used in a classroom setting or at home.