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University Daily Kansan / Friday, May 4, 1990
Science
11
Starry Eyed
Story by Susie Shaffer
Photos by Keith Thorpe
This 14" telescope is the largest now in use at KU.
The 6-inch Clarke refracting telescope, built in 1885 by a famous U.S. optician, is the oldest telescope at the University. It is inaccessible now because of the installation of a stairwell. The telescope is located in the round dome on top of Lindley Hall.
KU's observatory looks to the future
Ad Astra Per Aspra.
Kansas" state motto, translated as "To the stars through difficulty," has taken on new meaning for the astronomy department at the University of
"A student tripped on roofing materials that summer and wrote a letter to the department," said Stephen Shawl, professor of physics and astronomy. "Since then, the observatory has been closed to the public."
The department's latest problem came in 1988 when the University closed its observatory, named after KU graduate Clyde W. Tombaugh, because of safety questions. Access to the observatory, on the roof of Lindley Hall, was limited to upper-level astronomy students. The University acted by use of unsafe conditions, lack of compliance with fire codes and inaccessibility for disabled people.
Some astronomy courses continue to use the large telescopes in the observatory, although that use is limited, he said.
"Laboratory courses still meet there, but students in the introductory astronomy course do not," Shawl said. "I used to request them to participate in observation sessions, which have been discontinued. Since we've been
closed, students miss out on a part."
Jennifer McFarlane, Ballwin, Mo., sophomore, was a student in the introductory course last year. She learned how to use a camera, could not use the large telescopes.
"We had lab with small telescopes like I used in high school, but I wish we could have observed with the big revolving telescope," she said.
Mark Everett, a Lawrence junior majoring in astronomy, said "I've used the observatory in the years I have been working with it, and used it yet, as part of my studies."
But he said the closing was not detrimental to his astronomy studies.
Dou Riat, assistant director for facilities planning, said fire codes required the addition of a airwirl to the observatory to provide a second exit. Repairs to one of the observatory's airwalls was scheduled to begin last week and will continue for a couple of months, he said.
"The lack of proper exits from the roof was the main cause for renovation," he said. "This was one of our repair and improvement projects, a project we had to build in lieu of city on campus, so we were able to get funding."
Riaat said the project would cost about $40,000 and would allow the
public limited access to the observatory. The roof and the second stairwell also need repair, but specific repair plans have not been made.
The non-University group most hurt by the closing was the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence, a group that held observing sessions at Linden and evening events required his students to attend one of these sessions.
Rick Schlotman, the president of AAL, said, "We still have meetings in the classroom at Lindley, but now we have our observations at the 4-H Fairgrounds, city parks or at Clinton Lake."
The group travels to Clinton to avoid the glare of the lights in Lawrence, Schlotman said. In the past, observers at Lindley had complained about the glare from the floodlights at KU's baseball fields and at the Holcolim Sports Complex, both to the south of Lindley.
"The lighting's not very good early in the evening." Schlotman said. "But once it gets later they start turning off those lights. The observatory is great for (viewing) planetary lights don't affect the planets."
Those who have used the Tombaugh observatory know the improvements are needed there. But
because it still will have problems with its surroundings, such as lights at the Art and Design building next door, they also talk of one day building a new observatory away from the city.
Raymond Ammar, chairman of the physics and astronomy department, said a new observatory would be a place where all nice things, it would cost money.
"The question is where does it fit in the ('University's') priorities with funding, especially now, when funds are tight," he said.
Shawl said that all talk about a new building was speculation and that no finances have been granted for new construction. He said the cost of a new observatory would be about $20 million or less.
"It depends on what you want to do," he said. "We've always talked about the desirability of moving the existing telescopes to a new site, but there is no funding now, so we have not explored any options."
The department knows it will have to wait for any new buildings and adapt to the conditions at Lindley, Shawl said. He looks forward to the completion of the renovations.
"When we open up, I hope people will be aware of it," he said. "Then we can get the show on the road."
Telescope Types
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather light and enlarge images, while refracting telescopes use lenses for the same purposes. Lenses provide a better-quality image, but are more difficult to make at large sizes then comparable mirrors are. Thus, the largest telescopes are reflectors.
Telescope Sizes
The most common measurement of telescope size is the width of the light-gathering surface, the mirror or lens. A wider surface can gather more light, forming a brighter, clearer image. Therefore, if two telescopes have comparable optical quality, the telescope with the wider surface will have the better image.
University Telescopes
KU has three major telescopes (all pictured on this page) and several portable 8" telescopes. -The Clarke 6" refractor was made in 1885 by a U.S. optician. Clarke was the only world-famous U.S. optician at the time, and his telescopes are highly regarded today.
*The 27" reflector has a troubled history. Built mostly during the 1930s, it took many years to finish and has had problems since. It has not been used for some time, and its chances of repair are slim.
*The 14" reflector is a relatively new telescope. It is the largest telescope currently in use at KU.
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