Download - Keele University

The KEELE
2008 key fund
Annual Project is the development of the Observatory
as a regional centre for science and schools
Keele
University
reaches for
the stars
Keele University’s observatory
is set to be restored in a
£700,000 project to create
a top visitor attraction and
promote astronomy and the
physical sciences to students
and the community.
NAFKU donations
The North American Foundation for Keele
University has received several generous
donations since its creation and is now
preparing a more proactive fundraising
campaign for 2008. We acknowledge those
donors who have already contributed
over $34,000 dollars to NAFKU. This has
enabled the creation of the Neil and
Gina Smith Student of the Year Award in
2006, recognising a Keele student showing
academic excellence and achievement
together with an outstanding contribution
as an individual to student life and to the
University. We look forward to announcing
similar successful outcomes from the
generosity of our North American alumni.
1959 Bernhardt, Bill New York
1963 Hampson, David Ohio
1965 Rauh, Andrea (Shaw) Maryland
1966 Gill, Peter Arizona
1970 Gist, Richard California
1971 Lewak, Ric California
1973 Quy, Roger California
1973 Lane Roberts, Nick Virginia
1974 Hill, Mark California
1977 Carr, Neil Virginia
1980 Smith, Neil New York
The University plans to add new equipment,
demonstrations, simulations and exhibition space
to make the Observatory, which was built in 1962
and has long been a feature of the Keele skyline,
into a regional science visitor centre.
Established to house the historic Grubb telescope
– which was built in Oxford in 1873 and used by
Einstein on a visit to Oxford – the Observatory
was expanded in the 1970s and now boasts
four telescopes.
Generations of schoolchildren have had their first
taste of astronomy at the campus’ Observatory,
and University staff plan to forge strong links
between the Observatory and the Keele-based
Science Learning Centre West Midlands and
the University’s Widening Participation Unit to
enhance community outreach projects.
The new proposals would afford even more
visitors the exciting experience of physical science,
including geology, environmental science and
weather systems, as well as providing a home
for cutting edge research.
Wheelchair access will be improved and the
Observatory will be kitted out with up-todate
teaching equipment, such as interactive
whiteboards and 3D electronic projection, and
a refreshment area.
Professor of Astrophysics Nye Evans said: “The
Observatory has long been popular with staff,
students and the community, and this project
will give Keele an unrivalled centre of which they
can be justly proud.
The Observatory has made a significant
contribution to Keele’s activities over the past
40 years and can now continue to do so into the
21st Century.”
The Observatory is open to the public every
Tuesday between 8pm and 10.30pm (irrespective
of weather), except the second Tuesday in May to
the second Tuesday in August, and on Saturday
afternoons from 2pm to 5pm.
i:
For more information about the
project contact Prof Nye Evans on
ae@astro.keele.ac.uk or 01782
583342. For more information about
visiting the observatory please
contact Observatory Director Mike
Brough on mdb@astro.keele.ac.uk
or 01782 583414.