Starry Night

Astronomy is one of the oldest and most immediate of sciences. Every time we step outdoors at night and look up we are conducting an observation. It is also one of the most vibrant areas of current research as recent observations using new technologies are discovering objects from planets orbiting other stars to black holes at the center of galaxies, measuring the detailed properties of the universe as a whole to shed light on its earliest history and predict its future, and measuring the signals of astonishingly violent events at its far reaches.

The broad interest this science arouses among Duke students and the public at large have encouraged the University to undertake a major effort to enhance both the teaching of astronomy at the undergraduate level and the outreach programs involving Durham public school students and the general community. As part of this effort, the University is planning to construct an observation site in the Duke Forest.

In March, 2002, an event was staged at the proposed site of the observatory. Called Starry Night I, the event featured Duke faculty who brought their personal telescopes and their skills, and a group of some 50 Durham Public School students of all ages. Weather conditions were less than optimal (partial cloud cover) but observations of Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula were judged by all highly successful. For more on this earlier event, click here.

Starry Night II will bring Durham high school students and middle school science teachers for a more detailed observation session. The observation schedule will be planned jointly with the high school astronomy teachers for optimal overlap with their curriculum.