After getting approval for $300,000 toward a new telescope observatory, the Physics and Astronomy Department is waiting for a decision from the university.
Ohio University is one step closer to getting an observatory after a fire and an accidentally scraped part rendered its 65-year-old telescope useless.
The university recently approved $300,000 to renovate a building at The Ridges that would house old telescopes and a new one the Physics and Astronomy Department has yet to pick out.
But nothing can be done until The Ridges Master Plan and the Comprehensive Master Plan committees finalize plans for The Ridges, which they’re expecting to have this summer.
"We’re just hoping we can move forward,” said David Ingram, a chair of OU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. “It’s just one of those things that has occurred, that’s been delayed because the university's decided to update the Master Plan."
A portion of the approved funds will be used to buy a dome for the observatory, while the rest remains untouched until the committees make a decision regarding the future of The Ridges.
OU can buy the dome now because it is going to need one anyway, but for anything Ridges-specific, money is tied up until the summer, said Doug Clowe, associate professor of physics and astronomy.
The university does not currently have a telescope observatory but uses portable telescopes for classes and community outreach.
If the building plan is not approved, there is a chance the observatory will be housed in Clippinger Laboratories, but The Ridges is darker and better for observing the night sky.
“The Ridges gives us, first of all, a much better telescope,” Clowe said. “It also gives us a set place to do it at."
One of OU’s old telescopes was damaged in a fire almost three years ago. The device was rendered unusable after a miscommunication between OU Facilities and a private contractor resulted in the mount to be accidently scrapped.
The physics and astronomy department purchased a new mount for nearly $36,000 in August 2014. The telescope is currently being stored in the basement of Clippinger Laboratories.
Danielle Keeton-Olsen contributed to this report.
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