L-R Observatory to Reopen After 15 years!

On Friday, March 11, 2011, public observing will return to Lenoir-Rhyne after an absence of 15 years. Thanks to The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club, both Observatory and telescope are in excellent condition and able to be used for such a function.

On March 11, the Observatory (top floor of Minges Science Building) will open for inspection and public observing at 7:00p.m. Telescopes will also be placed in the field across from Mauney Music Building with members of the Astronomy Club on hand for instruction.

The entire refurbishing of the Observatory and telescope took about two years. This was accomplished under the leadership of Mr. Bob Hunt, a member of the Astronomy Club; Mr. Hunt was assisted by other members of the Astronomy Club, Dr. Richard Mazak, and students in Dr. Mazak’s astronomy classes.

The telescope is a 12.5 inch diameter Cassegrain telescope which can also function in the Newtonian mode. It was originally installed under the leadership of Dr. Charles Cooke, Professor of Physics. The telescope was completely disassembled, the mirrors re-silvered, the motors rebuilt and everything cleaned and reassembled.

Please join The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club, Dr. Mazak, students and others on March 11, 2011, 7:00 p.m. for the reopening of the Lenoir-Rhyne Observatory.