IUS Times

Starry, Starry Night ...

Pay a visit to the IU Southeast Observatory this winter to see the heavens like you've never seen them before.

The IU Southeast observatory, located in a field at the northeast corner of campus, may be the best kept secret on campus. The computerized telescope housed there is one of the largest refractor telescopes in the state with a magnification power of 800.

"It's an optimal size for an urban environment," said Gerald Ruth, professor of geosciences, who is in charge of the operation of the observatory. "Paying extra money for a wider (which increases the magnifying potential) telescopic lens, would not be worth it because of the light pollution factor."

The public is invited for star gazing the first Saturday and Sunday of every month. They are also invited for special events, like viewing comets, unusual solar activity, or perhaps a Jupiter-Saturn watch.

Throughout November, observatory visitors were able to glimpse a comet known as SWAN, also known by its scientific name, C/2006M4. For January and February, Ruth said clear, bright nights are good for seeing items of a "stellar or galactic nature." However, spring and summer are best for viewing planets, Ruth said.

"Of the 365 nights in the year, because of clouds, only about one-third, or 120 nights, are suitable for observing the heavens," Ruth said. "And of the 120 nights, we study the skies about 75 percent of the time." Of those nights, Ruth said, the studies may last anywhere from two to six hours.

The biggest users of the telescope are Ruth, his astronomy classes, and IUSAS, which stands for Indiana University Southeast Astronomical Society. The society, which Ruth serves as an adviser, was founded in 1982. It currently has about 15 members, but has had as many as 40 when Halley's Comet came by in 1985-1986. The society consists of students, alumni, and members of the community.

The cost to join the society is $40. One perk of being a member is a subscription to the periodical Astronomy, but the best benefit is the access to the telescope. Another advantage is social events such as society picnics.

How did IU Southeast come by the telescope and observatory? Ruth said that the $8,000 Meade telescope was funded by the School of Natural Sciences in 2001. IUSAS member Joel McIlvoy built the massive steel structured pier that supports the telescope; it resembles an oil-rig tower.

In 2003, Ruth won a $25,000 grant from Caesars Foundation to put the telescope indoors. IU Southeast partnered with several local businesses who matched that amount for site development. By December of 2004, the observatory was completed and public use of the facility began in March of 2005.

Before 2001 Ruth said that astronomy classes relied on portable telescopes. Those telescopes had about the same magnification as the present Meade telescope. However, there were disadvantages. The portable telescopes took about one hour to set up and roughly the same amount of time to break down after viewing. They also were not shielded from the wind. Plus, they had to be transported from campus storage to the field and back.

Anyone who might happen to be driving down Grant Line Road, and notice that the observatory is in operation, is welcome to drop in. Professor Ruth said that curious passersby will not be turned away. To determine if the observatory is in operation, check to see if the shutter of the domed roof has been retracted and look for the red light from within the observatory.

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