September 24, 2024
Delta College is excited to announce the first public observation night at the Delta Dome—its newly constructed on-campus observatory.
The construction of the Delta Dome offers a unique opportunity for community members to explore the universe. Weather permitting, this event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 25 beginning at 8pm. The backup date is scheduled for Saturday, October 26.
The Delta Dome houses a CDK700 telescope with a 28-inch mirror installed by PlaneWave Instruments of Adrian, MI. The telescope provides the Great Lakes Bay Region with stellar views of galaxies, nebulae and other deep space objects. This observatory project came to fruition after years of planning and funding from Delta College. Additional grant dollars from the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) and the Great Lakes Star Gaze Committee (GLSG) allowed for the purchase of a high-quality imaging camera.
“This observatory has been a dream in the making for over 20 years,” said Kevin Dehne, associate professor of astronomy and physics. “We are excited to share this incredible resource with our students and the broader community. The Delta Dome will serve as a hub for astrophotography, astronomical research and education.”
During the observation night, attendees will have the chance to view celestial bodies through the telescope, with guidance from faculty. Monthly public observation events at the Delta Dome will align with new Moon phases and ideal weather conditions.
For more information on scheduled public events, call 989-686-9232.
