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The News & Observer
The News & Observer
March 28, 2002
A wish upon a star: to see them
Author: Jonathan Goldstein; Staff Writer
Edition: Durham
Section: News
Page: B1
Index Terms:
Duke Forest
Estimated printed pages: 2
Article Text:
DURHAM -- Before the Earth completes its next two revolutions around the
sun --also known as years --a quiet meadow in Duke Forest could become an
observatory where college students, children and families gather to study
the wonders of the universe.
Details are being worked out, but a group of professors and administrators
is planning for a modest observatory that would be used by Duke students
as well as Durham Public Schools students through Duke's partnership with
seven Durham schools. Amateur astronomers also might be allowed to use the
observatory.
"This is a great spot for observing," said John Harer, vice provost for
academic affairs at Duke and an amateur astronomer. "We have a number of
needs on campus that this would fit with very nicely."
Harer, who is leading the effort, said the observatory could include a
small building with a viewing platform, one 16-inch-diameter telescope
(more than twice the size of a typical backyard telescope), several
smaller telescopes and some computers. He's not sure about cost, but he
estimates equipment and materials probably would run about $150,000.
The biggest advantage of the area off Cornwallis Road in Duke Forest,
where professors and others already have done some stargazing, is that
it's relatively far from city lights, said Ronen Plesser, a Duke physics
professor who also helps with science instruction at Forest View
Elementary School. Plesser now teaches some astronomy from a spot on the
roof of Duke's physics building, but nearby lights interfere with
telescopes and make stars harder to see. The same problem hampers
astronomy outside Morehead Planetarium at the UNC-Chapel Hill.
"The observation we have now is very ineffectual," Plesser said. "There is
amazing light pollution, and it's very limited what you can see. It's been
a long-standing hope that if we had a better location and better equipment
we could actually see more things."
Celestial features that could be seen clearly from the meadow, but not
from many other spots in Durham, include the swirling Great Red Spot of
Jupiter; the spiral Andromeda Galaxy; and the Orion Nebula, a birthplace
of stars.
Proponents say they would also use the observatory to work with teachers
and students at area high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
Students might be able to come with science classes or through Duke
programs to learn more about the solar system and space beyond.
"This would be a wonderful opportunity for teaching and outreach," said
Jonathan Keohane, a physics teacher at the N.C. School of Science and
Mathematics. "It's something that would enhance the education at Duke and
at the same time foster community relations."
Harer, Keohane and others interested in the project gave the site a try on
a Thursday night earlier this month.
In a gathering that included storytelling, cookies and hot chocolate as
well as some amateur astronomy, they determined that they had picked as
good a location as they are likely to find within a few miles of campus.
"My kids had a great time," Keohane said.
Now, with no particular schedule in mind, the group will try to find more
supporters and look for ways to pay for an observatory. Harer hopes enough
people would donate their labor, and possibly materials, to keep the costs
manageable.
As a beginning, Plesser plans to start teaching a Duke astronomy class
there in the fall.
"I will hopefully be designing a course around the woods rather than the
roof," Plesser said. "That will at least be something."
Copyright 2002 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.
Record Number: gtoy0m89