UNCP expands its horizons to the stars

By Laura Mininno
Staff Writer

The chemistry and physics department held a “First Light” ceremony on Sept. 20 unveiling the new observatory that houses an enormous 16-inch Meade LX200 GPS telescope beside the Oxendine science building.

Photo by Laura Mininno The Meade LX200 telescope at the Oxendine building saw its first light Sept. 20.

Students and faculty of all departments attended the ceremony, including business major Jason York who has become very involved with the observatory and hopes students will take full advantage of it.

“That’s why we’re having this ceremony,” York said. “Not many people even know this is here, and I think it’s going to be very beneficial to the students who use it.”

UNCP is very fortunate to have this technology and not many schools have the opportunity, York said.

The telescope is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) that allows it to know its exact location when turned on. The 800x-magnification-power telescope can immediately find the location of a planet or galaxy once its name is typed into the GPS system.

Beginning in October, on the second Tuesday of every month at 8 p.m. there will be public viewings that are open to all students who want to use the observatory.

“It’s a big addition to the campus,” said Dr. Jose D’Arruda, chemistry and physics professor.

The university invested $250,000 into the building, the actual telescope came with a price tag of $35,000 and the observatory dome covering the instrument cost about $50,000.

“Dr. D’Arruda has dreamed of this moment for 26 years,” Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said at the beginning of the ceremony.

The department hopes that all students and faculty will take advantage of the telescope, not just chemistry and physics majors.