SpaceBanter.com - View Single Post - Discovery Channel Telescope at Lowell Observatory Progresses withTwo Key Milestones (Forwarded)

#1 October 24th 04, 05:15 PM

Lowell Observatory

Contact:
Steele Wotkyns, Public Relations Manager
(928) 233-3232,

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2004

Discovery Channel Telescope at Lowell Observatory Progresses with Two Key Milestones

USFS Approves Telescope Site Near Happy Jack

Corning, Inc. Fuses Primary Mirror Blank

Flagstaff, AZ -- Lowell Observatory welcomes two key developments today in the
building of the Discovery Channel Telescope. First, the U.S. Forest Service,
Coconino National Forest, issued a Finding of No Significant Impact allowing
construction of the versatile astronomical instrument to begin near Happy Jack,
Arizona. Another recent major step that is now complete is the fusing of the
glass primary mirror by subcontractor Corning, Inc. of Canton, New York. The
Discovery Channel Telescope is expected to be the fifth largest telescope in the
continental United States.

"We are encouraged and energized by these two benchmarks towards eventual first
light for DCT," said Bob Millis, Director of Lowell Observatory. "The
Observatory sincerely thanks all the Forest Service professionals, EnviroSystems
Management, Inc., and our supporters who helped make approval of the site
possible. Likewise, we are pleased that the work by Corning has been successful
in fusing the primary mirror."

According to the decision signed by Nora B. Rasure, Forest Supervisor of the
Coconino National Forest that incorporates a synopsis of over a year of rigorous
site testing by Lowell Observatory at Happy Jack: "Very few sites within the
continental United States possess the characteristics that would justify the
cost of building and operating a modern telescope. The site has demonstrated an
extraordinary combination of astronomically related qualities, including
exceptionally clean unpolluted air, stable atmospheric conditions thousands of
feet above the site, dark skies, and numerous clear nights. In addition, the
proximity of a paved road, electrical power, and the opportunity to share
facilities at the Happy Jack Ranger Station reduces the cost of development and
disturbance of new land. The area also has minimal resource issues relative to
heritage resources and wildlife issues."

The Forest Service decision states: "There appears to be an overwhelming local
and non-local support for this project." The site is about 40 miles south,
southeast of Flagstaff near the Mogollon Rim of the Colorado Plateau.

"Discovery Communications has always been committed to exploration and the most
important scientific research in the world. The Discovery Channel Telescope is
continuing that mission," said John S. Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of
Discovery Communications, Inc. "Together, the partnership between Discovery and
Lowell will allow millions of people and students to explore the mysteries of
our universe and bring the most exciting discoveries to citizens around the world."

As the environmental assessment for the site was moving towards a successful
conclusion, the nearly 7,200-pound, 4.3-meter-diameter (14.1 ft.) primary mirror
was fused together from hexagons of ultra low expansion glass (ULE) at Corning, Inc.

"This is where it starts coming together as our mirror," said Byron Smith,
Project Manager for the Discovery Channel Telescope.

The ULE glass helps minimize changes in the large mirror's shape with changes in
temperature. Next steps in the mirror construction process include "sagging" or
the setting of the curvature of the 4.3-meter diameter mirror. Then, many stages
of figuring and polishing the mirror will begin to bring it to its final precise
shape.

Meanwhile, Lowell Observatory is seeking bids to improve the access road leading
from County Highway 3 (Mormon Lake Road) to the top of the small mountain where
the powerful Discovery Channel Telescope will be located.

Expected to propel the Observatory and its partners into a new era of
astronomical discoveries with a wide range of science and astronomy outreach
activities, the Discovery Channel Telescope will be operational in 2008/2009,
according to the current construction schedule.

Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory's mission is to pursue the study of
astronomy, especially the study of our solar system and its evolution; to
conduct pure research in astronomical phenomena; and to maintain quality public
education and outreach programs to bring the results of astronomical research to
the general public.