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Texas A&M’s Astronomical Observatory presents new opportunities for students
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ahuerta/index.htm
By Amelia Williamson
THE BATTALION
Since the beginning of time, humans have
stood in awe and wonder at the magnificence of
the universe. Texas A&M astronomy students are
how able to explore space for themselves at the
A&M Astronomical Observatory, completed in
August near Easterwood Airport in College
Station.
Don Carona, director of the Texas A&M
Astronomical Observatory, said the original
observatory was built in 1980 but lacked the space
for the number of people involved in astronomy
programs in recent years. This prompted the
University to begin the yearlong
construction of a new observatory.
The facilities consist of two obser- a
vatories, a large classroom and an
observation deck for students to set
up small telescopes.
The telescope in the main obser
vatory is a 16-inch Meade LX200
SCT with UHTC optics. The
robotic observatory contains a 14-
Celestron SCT. Students can
set up and operate any of the
25, 8-inch SC telescopes at the
observatory.
The observatory is used mainly
by students taking the Physics 307
Observation Astronomy course.
Students use the classroom to learn
how to use star atlas charts and the
coordinate systems astronomers
use. They are then able to apply
what they learned to find different objects in the
night sky using the telescopes.
Peering through the telescopes, students can
locate objects such as star clusters, nebulas,
galaxies and planets.
Before the new facilities were built, students
went over material in a classroom on the A&M
campus and then had to drive out to the observa
tory to make observations. Now, however, there
is a classroom at the observing site that seats at
/ am doing.
least 60 students.
The classroom gives students
more time to observe the sky without
the hassle of driving back and forth
from campus.
Brittany Rackar, a biology gradu
ate student taking the Physics 307
course, said she enjoys spending time
at the observatory.
“Being so far away from campus
is peaceful,” Rackar said, “and the
city lights don’t interfere with our
observations of the sky.”
Students taking Physics 307 get
much more out of class than reading
from books, looking at pictures or lis
tening to a professor’s
lecture. They also
have the opportunity
for hands-on experi
ence that reinforces
what they learn in the
classroom.
“I am a visual
learner, so sitting in a
class and taking
notes doesn’t help
me at all,” said senior
agricultural develop
ment major Kevin
Bailey. “Being able
to touch and learn
myself really helps
me understand what 1 am doing.”
Being able to look through the
telescopes and view the universe
keeps students interested in the course material
and actually makes them want to learn more,
Carona said.
“Some students take the astronomy courses
because they need another required science and
this happened to be available ” Carona said. “By
the end of the semester, most of the students find
they had a great time learning the night sky and
that the course turned out to be more than just
another required class.”
lam a visual
learner, so sitting in
a class and taking
notes doesn’t help
me at all Being able
to touch and learn
myself really helps
me understand what
JOSHUA HOBSON '
Pictured are the robotic observatory (left), the observation deck
(center) and the main observatory and classroom (right).
Students interested in learning more about the observatory can
check out astronomy.tamu.edu or contact Don Carona.
— Kevin Bailey
ag development major
Many research projects are also conducted at
the observatory. Current projects include measur
ing the periods of variable stars, creating a full
Earth-based photographic atlas of the moon and
searching for undiscovered minor planets and
comets. Anyone who is interested in taking part
in the research programs is encouraged to sign up
to participate.
Students also have the opportunity to con
duct research projects of their own. The obser
vatory is an important part of the physics
department at A&M and provides students with
important resources.
“1 think everyone should look through a tele
scope at least once in their life,” said senior math
major Sagar Bhatt. “Astronomy is a universal
field, and every university should have some
facilities for students.”
Students have a new opportunity to get an Up-
close look at the universe around them. The things
they learn while spending time at the observatory
are invaluable and are memories that will probably
stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“There’s nothing like watching a student who
has never seen the moon through a telescope take
their first look through the eyepiece,” Carona said.
“Without these facilities, the students would miss a
truly amazing opportunity.”
Considering
going to
graduate
school?
Make plans to attend the
Graduate School Application Workshop
Tuesday, October 7 (5:30-6:30pm)
HOKoldus
and
Graduate/Professional School Day
Thursday, October 9 (10am-3pm)
MSC-Flagroom
Sponsors: The Career Center & Office of Professional School Advising
Career Center
' -3 Texas A&M University
http://careercenlef.tamu.edu
209 Koldus 845-5139
With you every step of the way