Many on campus may never have noticed the large metallic dome atop the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center, but inside is a newly redesigned telescope and observatory modeled after some of the greatest in the country. The Hirsch Observatory has been completely refurbished, and to celebrate the modern makeover of the more than 65-year-old observatory, all Rensselaer students, faculty, and staff are invited to bring their families to an open house Feb. 18-22 from 7-10 p.m. 

The observatory also will hold an open house for the general public Friday and Saturday nights — Feb. 16, 17, 23, and 24 — from 7-10 p.m. And the observatory will be open every Friday evening through November from 8-10 p.m. to all.

“On a public observing night you will be able to look at nebula, a couple of galaxies, planets, the craters on the moon, the rings around Saturn, and other objects like that,” said Heidi Newberg ’87, Rensselaer professor of astronomy and world-renowned astronomer. 

The telescope, an older but reliable 16-inch scope, had fallen into disrepair following years of use by students and faculty. Newberg, a Rensselaer graduate, has fond memories of the telescope and led the charge to have the observatory and telescope remodeled.  

“It was the first telescope that I ever looked through,” she said. 

Newberg secured a grant from the National Science Foundation, which was matched by several private donations to fund the $70,000 refurbishment. Work was completed on the scope in December.

“Now it is an experience like you would have at a major observatory. It is on a smaller scale, but it is an excellent teaching tool for students and a great way to reach out to the public,” Newberg said. 

The improvements took more than four years to complete. The telescope now has state-of-the-art controls. It has an automated, revolving dome and a new computerized system that features a menu of the stars that can be found in each evening’s sky. Users pick the star they want to see from the menu and the scope and dome revolve to focus on the star. The scope will then track the star across the sky as the Earth gently rotates. 

And perhaps most important to the researchers who will be using it, the telescope can be operated remotely from a “warm room” adjacent to the dome, allowing them an escape from the sometimes very cold observatory. A mirror was also put in to allow for detailed digital photography. The telescope now allows visitors and researchers to more clearly see stars and planets, as well as also comets, supernovae, and galaxies.

Newberg plans to hand control of the Hirsch Observatory to the Rensselaer Astrophysical Society, a student-run organization that allows budding astronomers to hone their skills on a strong telescope. The Society will be hosting the open house. 

The Observatory serves as one of the only observatories in the Capital Region with regular public viewings. It also is a tool for the next generation of astronomers to get hands-on experience with equipment comparable to that found in a national observatory.

The original observatory, which was located at a different spot on campus, was dedicated in 1942. It was moved to the top of the Science Center in the 1980s. I

All visitors to the Hirsch Observatory are encouraged to dress warmly. Check the Observatory’s Web site at www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/observatory to see if the evening’s skies will be clear enough for a good viewing before you head out. 

Published February 19, 2007