Range Rider, Volume 34, Number 1, January, 1983 Page: 4
16 p. : ill., ports. ; 38 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 4 Range Rider January, 1983
(Above) MARLIES JOHNSTON, senior from (Below) JIMMY SHIN, HSU sophomore, right, ad-
Abilene at HSU, tries out the new 14-inch justs the telescope as Dr. John Peslak, associate
Funded by Sid Richardson Foundation telescope as Dr. William R. (Bill) Helms looks on. professor in chemistry and physics, assists.
New observatory/telescope is stellar attractionHardin-Simmons University now has an observa-
tory with a 14-inch telescope made possible by a
part of a larger equipment grant from the Sid
Richardson Foundation.
In recent weeks the observatory has been com-
pleted and is located in front of the Sid Richardson
Science Center. The observatory and telescope
cost in the neighborhood of $25,000, according to
Dr. William R. Helms, professor in chemistry
and physics. A dedication ceremony was held
Dec. 10.
Both Helms and Dr. John Peslak, associate
professor in chemistry and physics who teach basic
astronomy courses, are elated at the observatory.
"This telescope is a 14-inch. It's much bigger than
the 6 or 8 inches we have used in the past with
students. It will give much sharper, brighter images,
especially on some of the faint objects like nebula
star clusters, .. ." said Helms.
Trustees named
Two new trustees were chosen for Hardin-
Simmons University by messengers of the Baptist
General Convention of Texas in final sessions Nov.
11 in Corpus Christi.
Twelve HSU Trustees were renamed.
HSU's new trustees are Hilton Hemphill of
Houston, a layman and graduate of HSU, and the
Rev. Paul R. Vasquez, pastor of Abilene's Ambler
Baptist Church.
Others renamed to four-year terms are the
following lay persons: Gene D. Adams, Seymour;
Troy Armes, Littlefield; Mrs. Glenn (Ann) Biggs,
San Antonio; Mrs. Roy Davidson, Midland; A.B.
Foster, Jr., Pecos; Billy C. Frost, Abilene; R.C.
Johnson, Jr., Lubbock; Norma Willingham Schaf-
fer, and Robert L. Upton, both of Abilene.
Pastors renamed to the board through 1985 are
the Rev. Lenard A. Hartley, Odessa; the Rev. T.C.
Melton, Abilene; and the Rev. Murphy H. Peter-
son, Houston.Peslak and Helms expressed appreciation to the
Sid Richardson Foundation for its part in making
the observatory and telescope available to HSU
students.
About 200 to 250 students a year take the
astronomy course.
Helms said, "The plans call for making the tele-
scope available one night a week for on-campus
and off-campus groups to use it as time allows."
Peslak says that astronomy is the "most popular"
course offered in the science area and feels that,
with the addition of the observatory, there will be
even stronger interest in the elective course for the
future.
Why is astronomy so popular today among
students? Peslak says that the advancements in
science and astronomy, exploration in space, and
man's interest in the universe are several reasons
why students are interested.Commenting on the telescope, Peslak adds, "It is
probably one of the best telescopes of its size that
money can buy. It is much beyond a toy and is a
semi-professional instrument."
Helms and Peslak are both complimentary of
Don Bridges, director of physical properties, who
supervised the construction of the observatory.
The telescope itself, including the accessories and
photograph equipment, cost about $7,500. The
observatory has a rotating dome.
"Basically, Dr. Peslak and I are looking at using it
a couple of times a week for the rest of the semester
with our classes," said Helms. "They (the students)
are already using it in small groups," Helms said.
He added, "The students are excited about it.
They use the hand-held adjustment and can move
it around. They looked at the moon and could pan
around and look at different parts of it."
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Hardin-Simmons University. Range Rider, Volume 34, Number 1, January, 1983, periodical, January 1983; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117045/m1/4/: accessed May 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.