In an effort to make Ohio University's physics and astronomy programs top national competitors, the university purchased one-twelfth ownership of MDM Observatory in Kitt Peak, Ariz.
OU is the fifth university to partner with MDM Observatory, which hosts two telescopes and is shared by Ohio State University, Columbia University, the University of Michigan and Dartmouth College.
All top-ranked universities have a share in a research facility, said physics and astronomy professor Tom Statler. Statler was one of seven people who traveled with OU President Roderick McDavis for the inauguration of the observatory in early May.
The group traveled from the OU Airport to Tucson, Ariz., on the university plane. Also on the trip were vice president of research Jack Bantle, vice president of university advancement Leonard Raley, director of research communication Andrea Gibson, physics and astronomy professor Ken Hicks and astrophysics major Jack Steiner.
The trip cost about $10,000 from the budget of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Gibson said.
In the past
Ohio University has fallen short because it had no access to top research facilities Hicks said.
OU purchased its share of the observatory for $375,000 with an additional $21,000 annual operating cost, Statler said.
The physics and astronomy department submitted a proposal to the University Research Priority, part of the Office of the Vice President of Research, to acquire time at the MDM Observatory. The research opportunity was available to all OU departments, but the observatory received No. 1 priority.
MDM Observatory was started in 1975 by Michigan, Dartmouth and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, MIT is no longer part of the facility.
Currently, about 20 students are majoring in astronomy at OU, who possess tremendous potential Hicks said, noting that everyone involved in the program is thrilled with the opportunity MDM Observatory presents.
Students will receive both university and federal funds to research at the facility, Statler said.
Despite the distant location, both Statler and Hicks said the availability of such a facility is a major asset to OU. Eleven other observatories are located in Kitt Peak because the clear skies provide better research opportunities.
Because the telescopes are shared, member universities must request when they want to study at the observatory.
Ohio University is given one month on each telescope per year
Hicks said. But allocated research time does not have to be sequential.
Students like Steiner, who plans to study star formation at the MDM Observatory, will participate in a program that involves discussion with entry-level astronomy classes about their experiences and research in Arizona.
Statler said 300 students enroll in astronomy classes each quarter. Through the experiences of other students, physics and astronomy professors hope to generate increased interest in younger students.
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