Acquisition of a Small Telescope for Astronomical Research: Florida Tech's "Rising STAR Project"

Florida Institute Of Technology, Melbourne FL

Investigators

Abstract

Florida Tech is constructing a new Physical Sciences building, which will become the new home of the Physics & Space Sciences and Chemistry departments in January 2005. The handicapped-accessible facility will include an observing deck on the roof equipped with 15 piers for 20cm instructional telescopes and an observatory dome to house a research-grade optical telescope. MRI funds will be used to acquire a 61cm automated Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope, which will be Internet-accessible as well as conventionally operated.