The start of the 2018-2019 school year has been accompanied by exciting upgrades to the UNCA telescope at Lookout Observatory. UNCA senior Matthew Peek and recent graduate Cassie Crowe (BS Physics 2017) led the installation and commissioning of a new telephoto lens and spectrograph.  These upgrades open up new research opportunities for students in Observational Astronomy I (ASTR 320), the hands-on course that forms the foundation of UNCA’s astronomy minor.  Come back soon for updates on our science!

Above: UNCA’s 14″ aperture f/11 Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, with the new LHIRES spectrograph and Atik camera attached. Spectroscopic capabilities will equip Lookout Observatory for studies of spectroscopic binaries, stellar classifications, quasar variability, and much more… !

Above: UNCA senior Matthew Peek, attaching the new telephoto lens to an additional mounting track on the 14″ reflector. This upgrade will provide a wider field of view for imaging faint, extended objects like nearby galaxies.