From our lab manager, Tom:
Physics and Astronomy has access to the roof of Watson Hall to install remote controlled radio telescopes and potentially solar telescopes. Currently we have an old satellite TV dish on the roof. I have parts and plans to add two smaller dishes, possibly more, as well as finish the satellite dish receiver. This project would be to learn about radio astronomy and develop the telescopes and methods to facilitate radio astronomy. This would occur over the course of the school year followed by a summer project in 2026 to install the antennas. Experience with projects like this indicates they never go as quickly as expected so this will likely carry into the next year, if not longer.
You don’t need any previous experience, we’ll learn as we go. We’ll learn about radio telescopes, electronics, antennas, software-defined radio (SDR), Arduino or similar, remote control, mechanical hardware construction, and more. For an idea of what this is about check out the Amateur Radio Astronomy Facebook group.
We may also develop a remote controlled solar telescope. There is a Facebook group dedicated to that too.
I thought we might call this the Carleton Radio Astronomy Project, but I’m not sure about the acronym. 
Maybe the Carleton Radio Astronomy Group instead.
If you are curious or interested, stop by my office, Anderson 026.
On a related note, some students have expressed an interest in robotics. There have been robotics clubs in the past here at Carleton, supported by CSA, that competed in the Trinity College Fire Fighting Competition (no longer a thing) as well as building a self driving go-cart. If robotics is something that interests you stop by my office or talk with Aaron in the Makerspace.
This is open to anyone. Computer skills are relevant, so CS students are encouraged to join in.
Tom Baraniak
Anderson 026