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Ben's project, The Perfect Eye, was in the area of optics. He used double
stars as measures of the optical resolution of his 6 inch and 3 inch Newtonian reflecting
telescopes. He was able to empirically prove that Dawes limit accurately described
the best resolution possible, once a telescope was correctly collimated.
He used multiple collimation techniques to probe the edges of Dawes limit, and to prove
the best he could get for different apertures of telescopes. This same project won
him a blue ribbon at his school, C.T. English middle school. Ben intends to continue
his studies in astronomy and robotics at Los Gatos High School.
Ben's Synopsys Science and Technology Championship experience is captured in a popular
Internet film "The Perfect Eye" (see "Jolitz Family Video - The Perfect Eye").
The movie is a fly-on-the-wall short which followed him from
beginning to end of the exciting day of competition.
It was produced for and viewed by
the many people who have been so supportive of Ben's interest in astronomy and telescope design.
Ben received guidance from members of the San Jose Astronomy Association and The
Astronomy Observers. Ben uses it to show telescope design and interesting objects
at star parties hosted by these groups and others such as the 2003 AAUW Girls Tech Trek summer camp
star party
at Stanford.
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