Measuring the center and the dimension of our Galaxy using globular clusters

Abstract Historical measurements, such as the measurement of the size of our Galaxy and distance to its center, are based on relatively simple assumptions that allow high-school students and undergraduate college students to explore and replicate the basic analysis of astronomical data. Here, I present a practical data analysis exercise that was developed to select Slovenian participants to the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). The exercise guides students to discover the globular cluster distribution within our Galaxy, use basic knowledge of spherical astronomy and coordinate transformation, explore the night sky and develop basic skills for the analysis of astronomical data.