New telescopes debut at Observatory
April 20, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—A new, more versatile system of telescopes in the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory will make its public debut May 4 and 5. The Observatory will be open from 8:45–10:30 p.m. both evenings; admission is free.
Associate Professor of Physics Rick Steldt, Ph.D., said the new main telescope, a 16-inch Meade LX200GPS, with its companion 6-inch Takahashi refractor telescope and Coronado solarscope, offer some “unbelievably good views” of bodies in the solar system. All three are computer guided, which makes positioning quicker and more precise than possible with the previous manually operated equipment.
The Meade replaces a 14-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. Both have equally good state-of-the-art optics, Steldt said. However, the larger size of the Meade allows it to focus more light, and bring into view some objects that were too faint to see with the previous equipment. Through the telescope, Steldt recently observed what he believes was a cloud band within Saturn’s atmosphere. “It is very rare to see a band,” he noted.
A first for IU Kokomo, the Takahashi refractor telescope can provide an even finer view, because it focuses light through lenses, instead of mirrors, as used in the Meade.
“With the Coronado solarscope, we can view solar prominences live for the first time,” Steldt added. “Prominences” are the flames of hydrogen gas that appear to flash away from the sun.
Steldt called the three telescopes “a wonderful addition to campus,” made possible through a 2004 Kresge Science Equipment Initiative grant and matching public donations that established a permanent science equipment endowment for the campus. “These were not paid for by students’ tuition,” he stressed.
Steldt praised IU Kokomo’s Physical Plant Department—in particular staffer Greg Cage—for remodeling the telescope mount to handle the new equipment. Physical Plant employees also spruced up the interior of the Observatory dome, and are refurbishing a first floor darkroom in the Observatory.
