Beebe To Dedicate Telescope, Laud Research
President Gayle Beebe dedicates the new Keck Telescope Thursday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m. in Westmont’s Carroll Observatory. Students and faculty will present their summer research projects in Founders Dining Room following the public dedication.
Students Fern Lim and Michael Bennett worked with Dr. H. Michael Sommermann, professor of physics, and the high-powered telescope to research the photometry of RR Lyrae-type pulsating stars. The students will discuss their findings along with 12 other student research projects in computer science, biology and chemistry.
“We’ve had a successful research session this summer and I’ve been extremely impressed with our new Keck telescope,” Sommermann says. “It’s been great to see the students’ enthusiastic response as they work with this excellent piece of scientific equipment.”
The 24-inch reflector telescope is one of the most powerful telescopes on California’s Central Coast.
The largest single grant for the telescope came from the W.M. Keck Foundation, after which the instrument is named. In addition, Westmont was able to purchase the state-of-the-art telescope thanks to a grant from the James L. Stamps Foundation and gifts from several other friends of the college.
Based in Los Angeles, the W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by the late W. M. Keck, founder of the Superior Oil Company. The foundation’s grant making is focused primarily on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical research, science and engineering. The foundation also maintains a program to support undergraduate science and humanities education and a Southern California Grant Program that provides support in the areas of health care, civic and community services, education and the arts, with a special emphasis on children.
Westmont serves as one of the observing sites for the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (S.B.A.U.). Every third Friday of the month, the S.B.A.U. holds public viewings at the observatory. The upgraded facilities have already provided several opportunities for outreach to children and students in Santa Barbara schools and the community.