Calvin boasts access to two fully-equipped observatories, one on Calvin's campus and a robotically-operated telescope in Rehoboth, New Mexico. The central mission of the 黄大仙高手论坛 Observatory is educational, and the telescopes are used by students at all levels from first year non-science majors to fourth year physics majors.
The laboratory portion of most Calvin astronomy classes contains some "new science" project. Dedicated telescopes of modest aperture are especially well suited to contribute to the study of objects that vary in position or brightness with time.
Observatory equipment
Both sites
Telescope: Optical Guidance Systems with carbon fiber tube
Guidescope: FS-78, 3" diameter
Guide camera: ST-237
Slide Mirror: Van Slyke Engineering
Dome automation: Meridian controls solar powered, computer controlled dome motors
Power automation: X10
Telescope control software: Comsoft PC-TCS
Planetarium software: Software Bisque
Camera control and image processing software: Diffraction Limited
Astrometry software: PinPoint (from DC-3)
User interface: ACP ASCOM
Remote operation:
Rack to support camera: custom built
Calvin-Rehoboth Telescope near Gallup, NM
Dome: 10'6" diameter REB dome
Camera: ST-10XE
Filter Wheel: Two Optec wheels with 2" filters (UBVRI, H-alpha and red continuum)
Focal Reducer: Optec
Web cam: TRENDnet (installed May 2011)
Calvin Observatory in Grand Rapids, MI
Dome: Astro-Tec 15' diameter
Video Camera: Astrovid
Camera: ST-8XE
Filter Wheel: CFW-8 with 1.25" filters (, H-alpha and red continuum, O III and green continuum)
Focal Reducer: 0.63x
Spectroscope: Self-Guided Spectrograph, mounted with SBIG ST-7E camera
Also used in the Calvin Observatory:
Two 8" f/10 x2
Binoculars: A 7x50 and an 10x70.
Location
49546
42.931015, -85.58867
Accessibility Info
Wheelchair access: Although the Calvin dome, constructed in 1969, is not accessible by wheelchair, we have portable telescopes. Viewing sessions will be arranged on request. Call the observatory director (Larry Molar, 526-6341) to arrange time and place
Starting at west parking lot crosswalk near the large yellow and orange sculpture (see the 鈥淒eVries Hall鈥 label on the map), take the paved walk between DeVries Hall and the Spoelhof University Center. Rather than taking the long ramp directly up to the DeVries Hall / Science Building entrance, stay on ground level by taking the right fork and continue walking around the Science Building鈥檚 south and east sides until reaching a sign saying "North Hall." Enter the first double set of double glass doors (red arrow on map). Don't enter North Hall, but enter the stairwell door bearing a sign 鈥淥bservatory, 4th Floor鈥 immediately to your left. (GPS coordinates: approximately 85.58861 degrees west and 42.93126 degrees north, WGS84 map datum.) Then climb the stairway three flights to the roof level.
There is an elevator from the ground floor to the third floor, leaving just the final flight of steps to the roof level. Until 10 PM it may be reached by going forty feet down the hall to the left, and turning right at the overhead sign "elevator". Exit the elevator corridor on 3rd floor, turning left to the stairwell door. Proceed up the final staircase to the observatory. The other doors should be open until 11 PM. If outer or lower stairwell door is locked, call 526-6435 or 526-8847 to speak to the observers on duty.