Next week, Andrews University will hold a grand opening for its brand new observatory. The Robert and Lillis Kingman Observatory was first built in 1957. Kelly Youngberg, with the Andrews University Physics Department, says they’ve just finished rebuilding it.
“Our previous observatory had a 12 foot in diameter dome, and our new one has a 16.5 foot dome,” Youngberg told WSJM News.
The larger dome allows for better viewing, while Youngberg says other improvements will increase convenience.
“The shutter that covers the aperture was opened by standing on a ladder and cranking a mechanical wheel to open and shut it, while the new one will be fully automated,” Youngberg said.
Youngberg says Andrews University has Berrien County’s only observatory that is sometimes open to the public. The entire community is invited to attend the grand opening of the rebuilt facility next Friday at 7 p.m. There, they’ll hear from some speakers on the observatory’s history and do some stargazing, weather permitting.
