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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