FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/31/02

Reprinted with permission from the January 31, 2002 Greenville Advocate

GC Observatory a Reality After Years as a Dream

By Jennifer Pierce

GREENVILLE, IL - Residents of Greenville will soon be able to spy on their galactic next-door neighbors, thanks to Greenville College's new observatory opening in the spring.

According to supervising professor, Dr. Hugh Siefken, "an observatory is a facility that promotes the direct observation of stars and galaxies." The college's nearly completed observatory is located about two miles north of town at 1348 Ayers Road.

The new 20 by 40 foot building features a split roof, which can be retracted to expose the sky to the two large telescopes inside. These telescopes, measuring 10 and 12 inches, are motor-driven to maintain their focus on a given point, adjusting themselves automatically to compensate for the earth's rotation. The telescope bases are independent of the floor, so that walking won't disturb a delicate alignment.

One especially unique feature of the observatory is a permanent outdoor table, designed to mount a number of smaller telescopes for more viewing stations. These telescopes are computerized so that, once aligned with a reference point such as the North Star, they can be programmed to locate "virtually any point in the sky," Siefken says.

Dr. Siefken spent four months designing the new facility. The project took about two years from start to finish. Siefken mentioned that former GC science professor Dr. Leon Winslow, now retired, kept the idea alive for many years before the project actually began.

Faculty members from the science division built much of the observatory with their own hands. The floor and walls were contracted beginning in the fall of 2000, but science professors themselves assembled the intricate sliding roof. "We worked mostly evenings and Saturdays, for about four and a half months," Siefken recalled. He said the observatory's roughly $20,000 price tag would likely have been much higher without the faculty's labor. Funds for construction came mainly from a Catalyst Fund fed by alumni contributions, with an additional portion from a state grant.

The building will see the most use from students in beginning and advanced astronomy classes. But the community will also have opportunities to stargaze. Siefken is currently working with the college administration to decide on an opening and dedication date. Once finished, the observatory will be open to the public on selected nights. Siefken is considering publishing the dates and times that classes will meet there, so that community members can use the telescopes with some faculty guidance. Physics professor Dr. Arlene Larabee also wants to assess local interest in a community astronomy club.

Dr. Siefken transported the first large telescope to its new home on Monday. Remaining construction tasks include mounting the large telescopes and installing an electric winch to retract the roof. Siefken says, "While this observatory is relatively small, it nevertheless provides students with some excellent viewing of this corner of the universe."

The first event connected with the new observatory is an astronomy lecture scheduled for February 25. The physics department will host Dr. Helene Dickel from the University of Illinois. Her evening talk will be open to the public. More details will be available as the date approaches.

Last updated: February 4, 2002