Hopes are Astronomical for New Telescope

Workers are wrapping up their work on renovations to Westmont’s Carroll Observatory in anticipation of the arrival of a new high-tech telescope. The 24-inch reflector telescope is expected to arrive on campus this summer and will be the most powerful one between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Physics Professors Ken Kihlstrom, Warren Rogers and Michael Sommermann will present an overview of the telescope and discuss future plans Thursday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St. The free talk, “The Sky’s the Limit: What’s Up in Astronomy at Westmont,” is part of the ongoing series Westmont Downtown: Conversations About Things That Matter.

For the past 50 years, Westmont has been using a 16-inch telescope. DFM Engineering in Colorado is building the new instrument, which will gather twice the amount of light with nearly twice the resolving power. In the remodeled observatory, the new computer-controlled telescope will be more securely mounted to take extended exposure photography. Viewing will take place in a room below the telescope.

Thanks to the $740,000 project, faculty and students will conduct astronomical research and the observatory will be open for monthly public viewings. The W. M. Keck Foundation awarded Westmont a $300,000 grant for the telescope last year. The James L. Stamps Foundation also gave $90,000 for the project. College officials are raising the remaining funds.

Westmont serves as one of the observing sites for the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.