Observatory not observed too often by students
Observatories are used to look at stars and planets. Many students may not be aware that Utah State University has one, located at 1125 E. and 1000 North, and next to the Student Housing Office.
Students in a class called The Search For Intelligent Life in the Universe are using the observatory this semester.
They don’t really search for “intelligent’life” they use the observatory to get a better idea of what they are studying.
“Other than students, no one really comes up here. Sometimes friends and spouses of the students come up here to take a look at the stars,” teaching assistant for the observatory, Teri Gee, said.
Last semester, students of an astronomy class used the observatory.
Observatories are used by astronomers to keep track of planetary movements, look for new stars, planets or galaxies.
They also follow comets, asteroids and shooting stars.
“I expected the observatory to be big, like the one in Hawaii and other places. I saw one on TV and I guessed this observatory would be just as big, if not bigger,” said Billy Clark, an astronomy class student.
Though observatories are often the size of a stadium, the one at USU has one small telescope.
“It’s small, but I can manage about 20 people at a time without any difficulty. But I’ve had up to 60 people, all at one time,” Gee said.
“The observatory was built long before the stadium was built, [but] how far back I don’t know. Sometimes the lights of the stadium interfere with the observations,” Gee said.
Students can see some planets and galaxies from the observatory.
“Jupiter and Pluto are most common. Other attractions are the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula. If I get here early, I get a clear view of Mars,” Gee said.
It is open this semester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Gee said.
“The observation classes may get shifted if the weather gets bad,” Gee said
Students who would like to go to the observatory can leave a message for Gee at 797-2942.