IVC dedicates astronomy observatory

September 1, 2004

With the cutting of a ribbon, students from Irvine Valley College will move one step closer to understanding the mystery of one of nature’s most dazzling phenomena, the sun. IVC’s new astronomical observatory, a major new acquisition for IVC’s School of Physical Sciences and Technologies, will be used for the first time on Friday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m., to record the sun’s image during a public dedication ceremony in the B Quad. The observatory, with its suite of telescopes, digital cameras and computerized instruments, sits atop the roof of the B-200 Physical Sciences Building and can be operated entirely by remote control from astronomy department offices.

The dedication of the observatory will include a display of real-time images of the solar disk via computer link, an astronomy presentation by science professor Roy McCord, and refreshments provided by Meade Instruments Corporation, the maker of the telescope.

The computer operated Meade LX200-EMC is a large 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope capable of observing objects as close as the International Space Station at 260 miles above the Earth, or as distant as galaxies millions of light years away. It is mounted on a permanent equatorial pier through the roof to the ground below with drive mechanisms that allow precise target imaging. It can be programmed to track the sun, moon, comets, planets, stars, galaxies and even the passing Space Station complex. Along with its large aperture optics, the LX200-EMC is an advanced research camera, capable of long exposure imagery and astrophotography.

Three additional telescopes—a solar system scope, a solar hydrogen-alpha scope, and a spectroscope—will allow students to measure the relative age of stars, the temperatures of stars, and the composition of celestial objects. All the telescopes are housed in a 10-foot diameter dome which opens and rotates automatically when commanded by the computer, moving in unison with the integrated star tracking system.

Currently, IVC’s astronomy program relies entirely on small, portable 8-inch Meade telescopes. Now, with a permanent observatory, students will have on-campus access to the latest technology. According to astronomy professor Roy McCord, the importance of the new Meade instrument cannot be overstated.

“Our students can now obtain more sophisticated images and accurate measurements with an instrument of this quality. This is a world-class research instrument that I hope will inspire more students to get involved in astronomy,“ he said.

Together, the telescopes and observatory dome were acquired over four years using grants totaling nearly $75,000. For more information, contact Roy McCord at (949) 451-5331.