History of Our Observatory

Joseph H. Rogers Observatory

Residing near Traverse City, Michigan, on a hill 843 feet (257 m) above sea level, at latitude 44°42.4, longitude -85°36.7, the Joseph H. Rogers Observatory of Northwestern Michigan College stands as an example of this area's commitment to education. Founded and constructed completely from public donations, the Observatory serves over 100 college students, more than 5,000 visitors through Open Houses and nearly the same amount through its outreach education programs each year. Supported by donations, the Joseph H. Rogers Observatory is one of eleven sites involved with the National Network of Project ASTRO™, an inquiry-based science education program developed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The Observatory houses the college's telescope and has a classroom area for students. State-of-the-art astronomy equipment and computers have kept this facility upgraded, and support from the community continues to this day. As this facility prepares for its twentieth year anniversary, the 100,000th visitor will pass through its doors. All of these visitations have been "free of charge", a simple way of saying "thank you" to the community who helped support this fine facility.

Introduction

Northwestern Michigan College, located in Traverse City, Michigan, was established in 1951 and became the first Community College in Michigan in 1955. The college began with a faculty of six full-time and several part-time instructors. Over 600 students attended the first year at the college. Since its conception, astronomy has been taught at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). The first instructor was George Altenburg, a former junior college dean and physics professor (Tanis 1992). Astronomy classes were popular at the college and for the next twenty years the course was taught all but five times. The only cancellations were due to unavailable classroom space. Equipment for the astronomy department consisted of two donated telescopes, a 6-inch (0.15 m) f/8 Newtonian reflector and a 3-inch (0.08 m) f/12 refractor. These instruments would be used near the campus buildings and sometimes taken to dark fields north of Traverse City when weather permitted. A 10-inch (0.25 m) f/8 Newtonian reflector mounted on a heavy "homemade" German equatorial platform was donated to NMC's astronomy department in 1969. This telescope allowed for fainter objects to be observed, but due to its size and weight, was difficult to transport and set up. An entire two-hour class period would be taken up just to view one object by students. A better instrument was needed.

A New Telescope

In 1971 the duties of teaching astronomy at NMC was turned over to Sidney Rudolph, Richard Cookman, and John Anderson. The three instructors discussed purchasing a new telescope for the astronomy department and decided that a commercially built Schmidt-Cassegrain design would best suit the needs of the students. A 14-inch (0.36 m) f/11 built by Celestron Pacific in California was chosen. Cost for the telescope was estimated at $5,000. This telescope was advertised to be portable and easy to set-up. Astronomy classes at NMC had grown to over 90 students a year, and difficulties with the current telescopes hindered observing sessions. In 1974 September, a proposal was sent to the college general fund to request the purchase of this telescope. NMC was in the process of expanding, and very little money was available for such a large purchase. It was suggested that the Bar-B-Que, an annual fundraising campaign for the college, might be approached for funds. The 1976 NMC Bar-B-Que raised the necessary amount to purchase the new telescope, and in 1976 September, NMC students finally had a quality instrument to study astronomy. The 14-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope was equipped with several oculars, a guiding eyepiece and adapters for photography, and a solar filter for daytime views of the Sun. Final cost for the telescope and accessories was $5435, all of which came from the funds raised during the Bar-B- Que. This telescope was found to be everything the NMC astronomy instructors had hoped for, except for being portable. The telescope tube weighed 108 pounds (49 kg), and combined with the mount, wedge, tripod, and counter weights, totaled over 200 pounds (91 kg). This heavy instrument was also cumbersome to transport and set-up. The observing sessions for astronomy were often conducted in a farmer's field approximately 7 miles (11.3 km) north of the main campus. The telescope and students had to traveled to the site, set-up the telescope, level and align the telescope, provide electricity for the drive motors using two 100 foot (30 m) extension cords, before they could begin to observe. When the observing session was over, everything needed to be taken back to the main campus and stored. All this was to be conducted in one two-hour class period. Indeed, this telescope provided a better view of the Universe and enriched the education of the students, but it was far from an ideal situation. Transporting and setting up this instrument became a burden, and fear of damage to the optics resulted in very little use during the winter and spring semesters for astronomy students (Cookman 1999). A permanent facility was desperately needed.

A Home for This Fine Instrument

From the time the telescope arrived and was first assembled, it became apparent that this was not a portable instrument. In 1976 October 11, Joseph Rogers, Division Director for Science and Math at NMC, sent a memo to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the President, the Academic Dean, and astronomy instructors at NMC. In the memo, Rogers stated that "Acquisition of the new Celestron 14" astronomical telescope provided an avenue that leads to expanded capability in our N.M.C. Astronomy Course (SMPS-119 & 120). This proposal is that we take the next logical step to realize these opportunities. While technically portable, the new Celestron in that configuration requires excessive time to set-up and orient when used with the class format we must follow. Repeated movement and set-up also increases risk of damage to this precise and sophisticated mechanism. It is therefore proposed that greater utility and function would be provided, and risk to the equipment minimized, if we had a permanent instrument pier with an appropriate shelter. In short, N.M.C. needs an Observatory" (Rogers 1976). During the 1976 October meeting of the Board of Trustees for NMC, Rogers pitched his idea for an Observatory. At present, the college had very little funds available for any new buildings, and the Observatory project seemed beyond their means now or in the near future. But Joe Rogers was never one to take no for an answer. As an instructor in the Science and Math division, Rogers demanded effort from his students. If you came to class prepared and willing to learn, he would teach you everything you wanted to know. He never cared for the phrase "cannot do something", it just meant to him that you were unwilling or just plain lazy. The Board of Trustees asked Rogers where this Observatory would be constructed and how would it be funded. This was more of a challenge than a resounding "No" to Rogers. In 1976 October through 1977 March, Joe Rogers, along with NMC instructors Sid Rudolph and Dick Cookman, set-out to find a suitable location for the Observatory.

Caught Trespassing

While searching for a location for the Observatory, topographic maps were used to find high elevations close to the main campus of NMC. The group search for sites north along the peninsula that divides the Grand Traverse Bays, areas west of Traverse City, Michigan, and those south of the city. While observing the sunset one evening in 1976 November from a natural high elevation south of the city, the property owner who lived across the street approached Rogers, Rudolph, and Cookman. Ralph Lautner wanted to know who was trespassing on his property. Rogers explained that he was searching for a site to build an Observatory and thought this would be the best location. The site was south of Traverse City, Michigan and provided an excellent unobstructed view of the entire sky. It was 6 miles (9.7km) from the main campus and about 250 feet (76m) above the elevation of the surrounding area. After listening to the proposal, Lautner discussed this with his wife Mary, and agreed to donate 2.5 acres for the Observatory, if Rogers could convince the adjacent property owner to donate an additional 2.5 acres. Joe Rogers contacted the adjacent property owners, Frank and Kay Tezak, and explained his plans. The Tezak's pondered this offer and after ten days called Rogers to tell him they would donate the acreage (Shumsky 1994). NMC's Observatory had its site, a 5-acre parcel, 330 feet (11.5m) by 660 feet (23m), close to the main campus of the college, but far enough south of the city's nighttime lighting. All that was necessary now was the building.

Our Blessings, Not Our Money

At the 1977 March meeting of NMC's Board of Trustees, Joe Rogers reported on the acquisition of 5 acres for the NMC Observatory. The Board unanimously approved the donation and the legal documents were drafted. Rogers also told the Board that to construct a building, approximately 1,000 square feet (93 sq. m) to house the telescope would cost about $60,000. He requested funds from the college to build such a structure. The Board explained that the college did not have the revenue to expend on this venture, and if an Observatory were to be built, the money would have to come from somewhere else. This again was a challenge for Rogers, to see if there was enough community support for the college to fund the construction of an Observatory. The Board told Rogers that if he can generate enough interest and acquire contributions to build this facility, he had their blessings, not their money. The Board suggested "passing a hat" around to start an Observatory Fund. One member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Warren Cline pledged $100 for this fund, and Chairman Lester Biederman immediately wrote a check for $100. Biederman placed his check in his hat and offered it to Rogers. Dr. Cline then opened his wallet and placed his $100 contribution in the hat before giving it to Rogers (Northwestern 1977). The Observatory Fund had its start. Joe Rogers began calling on local businesses, banks and prominent residents to contribute to this campaign. Nearly every person he contacted contributed in some way to the Observatory. Rogers approached the Wigwam Club, which oversees the funds generated at the annual NMC Bar-B-Que, for additional money for the project. The Wigwam Club agreed to give $8,000 in 1978 and an additional $10,000 in 1979. The summer and fall of 1978 found NMC faculty and staff clearing a roadway and an area for parking at the site. In 1978 December, an easement was donated to allow easier access to the site. The land and location for the building was surveyed in 1978 December 22 and clearing for the building began in 1979 March. The Board of Trustees for NMC had approved the Observatory Use Statement in 1978 January (Northwestern 1978). An Observatory at Northwestern Michigan College would be a reality.

Designed for Effeciency

Architecture Artistry Interiors Inc. (AAI) was contracted to design the facility. It was to be energy efficient and cost effective. The building would be Earth sheltered to the north and east, and allow for passive solar heating to the south. It was designed to have a classroom for approximately 20 - 24 students, a storage room and photo darkroom, a restroom and a silo with dome to contain the telescope. The building is of concrete slab design with cinderblock walls. The total area for use is 1,300 square feet (121 sq. m) of which 624 square feet (58 sq. m) is classroom space. A 14-foot (4.3m) diameter dome at one end houses the 14-inch telescope. The block wall construction is insulated and finished with gypsum board on the interior. A forced-air natural gas furnace provides heat. An on-site well for water and a separate septic system allows for facilities in the building.

Work To Be Done

In 1979, when Joe Rogers was not teaching classes or performing his duties as Director of the Science and Math Division, he would be at the Observatory's site, either clearing away scrub trees for the building or setting stakes for foundation grade. He even held his forestry class at the Observatory, moving and planting trees and shrubs, raking and clearing dirt. He used to say the best way to learn something was by doing it. Besides, it was free labor. Rogers spent every possible minute at the Observatory. He even had his son John along with him to help out whenever he could. Staff and faculty would assist him when they had the time to spare, and even when they didn't have the time. Joe Rogers had a way of getting people to help out, and to contribute to his cause.

Donations of Money, Material, and Labor

Joe Rogers contacted an excavator and had some machinery loaned to clear the land needed for the building. When it came time for materials, he would call all the businesses for the best possible price. When the material arrived, he would convince the owners to donate the materials to the Observatory. More often than not, the invoice would later arrive with the amount due and bold writing across the bill, "Donation to the Observatory." A well was installed and the bill was submitted as a donation. The septic system was installed, again as a donation. Sand and gravel for the foundation and even the concrete footings were donated. Cinderblock and more concrete were donated and walls were soon raised. The Observatory was beginning to take shape.

Fig. 1 - The concrete footing for the silo and block walls for the Observatory.

Winter cold and snow in 1979 brought a halt to the construction, but by spring 1980, Rogers was once again working at the facility. In 1980 May, a 14-foot dome from Ash Dome was purchased, and Joe Rogers drove to Plainfield, Illinois to pick it up. This saved on shipping cost. Joe Rogers and his son John installed the dome in 1980 June.

Fig. 2 - Joseph H. Rogers (inside) with son John installing the 14-foot Ash Dome.

The roof of the Observatory was installed in 1980 September, followed by windows and doors. The building was now secured for winter, and construction on the inside could continue during the colder months. Through the winter of 1980, the inside of the Observatory took shape. Foam insulation and gypsum board were installed. A drop ceiling and lighting, carpeting, and lavatory facilities were installed. Walls were painted and a stairway with railing constructed in the dome.

Fig. 3 - Workers from Purvis Brothers welding security railing in the dome.

Finishing the Facility and Dedication

The telescope was secured to its pier and aligned. Several measurements were taken to ensure accurate polar alignment. In 1981 May, the building was back-filled and a concrete paved sidewalk was installed. Northwestern Michigan College's Observatory was completed and ready for use by the students. On 1981 June 25, the building located at 1753 Birmley Road in Traverse City, Michigan, known as Northwestern Michigan College's Observatory, received its Certificate of Compliance and Occupancy. This facility, constructed completely from donations, was completed. Forty-three businesses and 106 individuals contributed money, materials, land, and labor to construct this facility for the students at NMC. In 1981 June, the Board of Trustees at NMC agreed to fund $6,300 for the asphalt paving of the parking lot and driveway from the road to the parking lot (Northwestern 1981). This is the only item that NMC had paid for, using college funds, at this facility. Total cost to construct the Observatory, including the value of donated materials, was $63,000. A dedication ceremony was held at the new Observatory on 1981 October 5. Members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff of Northwestern Michigan College, as well as donors and guests were present. For his tireless efforts, in raising the necessary funds and working on this structure, the Observatory was named the Joseph H. Rogers Observatory (Weber 1981).

Fig. 4 - Northwestern Michigan College's new Observatory.

The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society

Upon completion of the Observatory, astronomy classes were now held at the new facility. Instructors were John Anderson and Robert Moler. Joe Rogers approached Moler with the idea of forming a club that could utilize this facility and possibly promote continued community support. During a planetary alignment in 1982 March, where all nine planets were in a viewable area of the sky, more than 500 guests came to the Observatory. In 1982 April, amateur astronomers interested in forming a club gathered at the Observatory. There were enough interested people that in 1982 May, the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society was established. A Board of Directors and Officers were selected. The club decided that its focus should be on "education and enjoyment of the night sky." The newly formed society began hosting Open Houses to allow the general public access to the facility. Viewing nights at the Observatory vary consists of, two evenings during the summer and one evening during the winter, with additional viewing for special events. Such events include lunar and solar eclipses, bright comets, close approaches of Mars, and Astronomy Day. Special events have seen as many as 800 visitors come to the Observatory in one evening. It is estimated that sometime during mid 2001, the 100,000th visitor will pass through its doors. The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS), became the main users of this facility. The GTAS began holding its meetings at the Observatory, usually the first Friday of each month. Open Houses are conducted on either Friday or Saturday evenings. All events hosted by the GTAS are cost free, and anyone can attend. The GTAS collects dues from its members to support the society's newsletter "The Stellar Sentinel." Donations to the Observatory, which the GTAS has assisted with, include an 8-inch (0.2m) and 11-inch (0.28m) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, a 13.1-inch (0.33m) Dobsonian telescope, computers, and other office equipment.

Dormant

The period from 1982 through 1987 found little attention for the Observatory. During the close approach of Halley's comet in 1985 and early 1986, hundreds of visitors gathered to view this "once in a lifetime" event. Aside from this, and the slight use by NMC astronomy students, the Observatory had little direction. There were no funds available for upgrades and building improvements. The college paid for the telephone, electricity, heat, and necessary maintenance. As new technology became available, the Observatory once again approached the Wigwam Club. In 1989, the Wigwam Club, now known as the NMC Bar-B-Que Board, agreed to donate $15,000 for new equipment. The 1989 annual NMC Bar-B-Que was well attended and an additional $3,000 was granted. Items purchased for the Observatory included a CCD camera, a Research Grade spectrograph, a 0.45Å Hydrogen Alpha filter for solar viewing, various eyepieces for the telescopes, and color filters for planetary viewing, a photometer, and camera equipment were also purchased. Adapters, which made photography with the 8-inch (0.2m) f/1.5 Schmidt Camera easier, and updated star atlases were added. The Observatory was now better able to educate the students of NMC, and conduct some small research. But there was still no "direction" for this facility.

Threats

The area surrounding the Observatory was experiencing growth, both in industry and housing. In 1988 May, a proposal for an automobile salvage yard, to be constructed on the property adjacent to the Observatory, threaten the functionality of this facility. It was believed that lights, dust, and smoke from this salvage yard, would interfere with the use of the telescope. In 1988 and 1989, a series of meetings and symposiums were held at NMC. Experts in outdoor lighting, law enforcement, civic planning individuals, and astronomers were present. Joe Rogers, who had retired from NMC in 1984, continued to support the functions of the Observatory, which bears his name. Dr. David L. Crawford from Kitt Peak National Observatories in Tucson, Arizona, attended these sessions. Crawford had recently formed the International Dark-Sky Association, to bring about more awareness to the effects of "light pollution." In his visit to the NMC Observatory, Crawford was amazed that a community college would have such a fine facility. As a result of these meetings, three local power companies turned off their lighting at substations south of the Observatory (Amateur 1989). The proposed salvage yard was never built. But nighttime lighting around the Observatory was a growing problem. To bring about more awareness of the effects of "light pollution" and to foster support for the Observatory, an annual "award" was established. The "Friend of the Observatory" award was formed to be given to any person or entity, which contributed in some fashion, to support the Observatory. In 1988, Consumers Power Company was given the first "Friend of the Observatory" award, for its effort to control light pollution around the Observatory. Since that time, the award has been given annually to individuals who contributed to the Observatory, townships that established lighting ordinances, and businesses that installed good exterior lighting fixtures. Protection against light pollution and growth around the Observatory had begun.

Passing on of a Leader

On 1997 April 25, Joseph H. Rogers died from bone cancer. The retired NMC instructor and community leader had lost his toughest battle. Rogers was known as a "students first" instructor. Even after his retirement, Joe Rogers was still involved with the functions of NMC. This author recalls one meeting held at the Observatory in 1993, with NMC President Timothy Quinn, Science and Math instructor Jack Berman, and Joe Rogers. This author, Rogers, and Berman, had arrived early to inspect the leaky roof at the Observatory. When President Quinn arrived, Rogers greeted him by saying, "You've been President at the college for nearly five years now, and it's your first visit to the Observatory. 'Bout damn time, ain't it." Joe Rogers was never one to "mince words", and often told it like it was. He proceeded to remind President Quinn that this was a "college facility" and should be maintained as such. In 1994 the Observatory roof and damaged interior ceiling tiles were replaced.

Direction and Purpose

Astronomy classes at NMC were as popular as ever, with annual enrollments of 90 students, and taught throughout the year. The lecture sessions for fall and winter were conducted on main campus, with lab exercises at the Observatory. Lecture and lab for summer classes were conducted entirely at the Observatory. But the Observatory still had no true direction. In 1998 May, NMC President Ilse Burke, Vice-President for Instructional Services Douglas Lape, and this author, held a meeting to discuss the purpose and advancement of the Joseph H. Rogers Observatory. During that meeting, it was revealed that the Observatory had no funding for its operations. Other than to serve as a structure to house the college's telescope, occasional lab sessions for NMC students, and Open Houses hosted by the GTAS, the Observatory had no real direction. During 1988, through the volunteer efforts of the GTAS, more than 5,800 regional K-12 students had visited this facility. These visits were usually for a quick view through the telescope and some question and answer sessions. There was no real education structure for these visits. Clearly there was a desire for more science education in the K-12 schools, and the Observatory was the place to foster that. In 1998 June, an Observatory Advisor Council was formed and charged with developing a direction for the Observatory. After several meeting of this council, it was decided that the Observatory could function as a "Science Education Outreach" platform. This would require a staff person to direct the functions, report to the college, and foster greater communications to area schools. In 1998 September, this author was hired as an "Observatory Specialist" by NMC and charged with implementing a structured science education program for the Observatory. This position was half time and funding came from the college's restricted account for strategic planning. From 1998 September through 1999 June, more than 2,700 area K-12 students visited the Observatory. In discussions with the teachers of these students, and administrators for their schools, there was clearly a desire for more science education. An "inquiry-based" science program was needed. Project ASTRO™

The Observatory Specialist didn't have to look far for a good inquiry-based science program. Through several meeting with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), and Dr. Andrew Fraknoi, an astronomer at Foothill College in San Francisco, California, the newly established Project ASTRO™ was just the right program. This author had worked with Fraknoi in several ASP sessions involving inquiry-based astronomy activities. Project ASTRO™ is a K-12 astronomy outreach program, which involves professional and amateur astronomers, partnering with teachers. These partners are trained in a two-day intensive workshop. Once trained, the astronomers visit the classrooms at least four times during the school year. Activities from the ASP's "Universe at Your Fingertips" are conducted (Astronomical 2001). These activities are developed and tested for age appropriateness, content, cost, and time effectiveness. Project ASTRO™ received start-up funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and had expanded to nine areas in the United States. A proposal was submitted to the ASP and in 1999 October, NMC's Joseph H. Rogers Observatory became the tenth site for Project ASTRO™. Project ASTRO Polaris

This new site became known as Project ASTRO POLARIS. The first teacher/astronomer workshop was held at the Observatory in 1999 October, with ten astronomers and sixteen area teachers. In the school year from 1999 October through 2000 June, the program involved more than 2,300 students. Combined with visits to the Observatory, the outreach program came in contact with more than 4,545 students. In its second year, Project ASTRO POLARIS now has a total of twenty-six teachers, eleven astronomers, and serves more than 6,000 students. Funding for Project ASTRO POLARIS has come from contributions by area schools, the Grand Traverse Regional Math and Science Technology Center, and donations from parents of the students it reaches. In 2000 July, the Observatory Specialist for NMC became a full-time staff position. The Joseph H. Rogers Observatory has a direction; science education and community outreach.

Fig. 5 - The Joseph H. Rogers Observatory of Northwestern Michigan College.

Summary

What began as an idea for a permanent facility to house the college's newly acquired telescope, soon turned into a challenge for the Director of the Science and Math Division at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan. Joseph H. Rogers, an instructor of forestry at NMC, who was never really interested in astronomy, spearheaded the project. Rogers gathered donations and contributions over a four-year period and constructed one of the finest facilities of its kind in Michigan. A Community College with a fully functioning observatory is a rarity. Constructed completely without college or taxpayer funds, the Observatory continues today to provide college students, and area K-12 students, with the best possible learning environment. The Observatory is one of only eleven sites involved with the National Network of the highly recognized science inquiry-based program Project ASTRO™. For twenty years, the Observatory has stood as an example of this area's commitment of support to education.

References

Amateur News 1989, Ast, 17,4,16

Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Project ASTRO: Astronomers and Educators as Partners for Learning, http://www.aspsky.org/project_astro.html, 4th May 2001

Cookman, R. personal communication, 1999, June, local observatory

Northwestern Michigan College 1977, 14th March, Minutes of the Board of Trustees

Northwestern Michigan College 1978, 11th December, Minutes of the Board of Trustees

Northwestern Michigan College 1981, 15th June, Minutes of the Board of Trustees

Rogers, J. personal memo, 1976, 11th October

Shumsky, A. 1994, Northwestern Michigan College: The Second Twenty Years 1971-1991

Tanis, P. 1992, Northwestern Michigan College: The First Twenty Years 1951-1971

Weber, G. 1981, 25th October, The Grand Rapids Press

Author: Gerald O. Dobek
16752 Wrightwood Terrace Drive
Traverse City, Michigan USA 49686
jdobek@nmc.edu