Star Surfing at Mt Kent

The Australian night skies are about to become a little more accessible thanks to the installation of a new telescope at the Mt Kent Observatory.

US academics have travelled from the University of Louisville (UofL) in Kentucky to launch the new 0.5 metre Celestron-20 telescope.

To celebrate the "first light" of the aperture telescope the Vice-President of UofL, Dr Ron Moore, UofL Professor of Physics, Professor John Kielkopf and Acting Director of Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, Mr Drew Forster will travel to Mt Kent tomorrow (Tuesday, April 4) along with academics from USQ.

A partnership linking USQ with the UofL was established last year.

Thanks to a share in a $100,000 NASA grant, USQ has installed infrastructure that provides astronomy students with remote access to the Mt Kent telescope.

The collaborative effort allows distance education students to log in to the telescope and operate it remotely, while students in the US are able to access Australian night skies.

USQ's Dr Brad Carter said now the telescope had been installed remote observation tests would begin as soon as possible.

"The project aims to enhance student interest in science through engagement in astronomical observing," Dr Brad Carter said.

"Latitude and longitude differences between Australia and the USA are used to offer students a way of observing otherwise inaccessible skies, and to observe night skies on the other side of the world during day time classes.

"An identical remotely accessible setup is also being developed at an observatory in Kentucky".

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander P: 4631 9277 M: 0439760106