By Norman Corrion
UNIVERSITY CENTER – Delta’s new on-campus observatory establishes the college as a one-of-a-kind spot for night sky watching, providing breathtaking views and some of the best astronomy equipment in Michigan.
The observatory, dubbed the Delta Dome, began as a dream. “It started about 20 years ago with a dream I had of providing a telescope in a situation that our students could enjoy, and our community could enjoy,” says Kevin Dehne, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Delta.
This dream would end up facing more hurdles than expected though. The build first required approval; it received it, but after purchasing the dome and telescope the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction.
Post-pandemic and after another approval, construction was able to start back up. Picking a location for the dome also required care; factors like budget and nearby lighting had to be considered. Three locations would be looked at with an area behind the concession area on the west side of Delta’s main campus being chosen.
Inside the Delta Dome sits an impressive CDK700 telescope from PlaneWave Instruments. On planewave.com this telescope model currently has a price tag of $195,000. The website lists many impressive details, and lists it uses for astrophotography, research and visual observations.
For photography, the website highlights its capabilities to follow objects in the sky with stability for taking images. For research, the site indicates its usefulness in fields of study involving light and its precise data collection capabilities.
“The important aspect of a telescope is the diameter of its optical gathering device,” says Dehne. “In this case it’s a mirror, this mirror is 28 inches in diameter.”
Standing next to the telescope gives you a futuristic awe-inspiring feeling. A slight mechanical hum can be heard while the dome ceiling opens and the telescope spins. Once in position, space becomes reachable through an eyepiece and can be displayed on a large screen in the dome.
“This lets you take a look at the real sky and nebulae, star clusters, planets, galaxies, all of that,” says Aurelian Balan, professor of physics at Delta College.
Balan explained objects that are normally dim and small on telescopes like a nebula–clouds of gas and dust–make some of the best views. With the telescope’s magnified view these types of objects become bright and colorful sights.
The telescope is one of the largest in Michigan compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Wheelchair users are able to access the telescope eyepiece, and an image intensifying device helps enhance images for better visibility.
On Oct. 21, the dome and two large portable telescopes were open to students; over 20 Delta students congregated to take advantage of the clear night sky.
“This is something that lets you come here and see the cosmos like you can’t see it anywhere else,” says Balan. Guided by Dehne and Balan, the students were able to view many objects, including the rare comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas. Students went back and forth visiting all three telescopes making notes as they observed objects in the night sky. Attendance spent the night looking up and enjoying the night sky.
According to Dehne and Balan, Delta students interested in the new Delta Dome have three options: take AST-111 or AST-111L, join the Astronomy Club or attend a public open house. With the goal of hosting a public open house each month, anyone in Mid-Michigan will have many chances to visit the Delta Dome.
The Delta Dome dream has become a reality, one that will captivate Delta students and our community for years.
The Delta Dome’s use is weather dependent and those interested in attending an open house can call 989-686-9232 for more information. To hear more from Dehne and Balan check out the video below.
