Wittenberg’s window to the universe became a little clearer last fall thanks to the addition of a camera, which allows digital images to be taken through the telescope housed in Weaver Observatory.

The “charged-coupled device” (CCD) camera will allows images to be placed on the University’s web site in the near future.
“The digital camera has the advantage of immediate feedback,” said Dan Fleisch, adjunct professor of physics.

The camera also allows scientists to manipulate the photographs in order to examine certain features more closely. Markus Kruse, webmaster, looks forward to getting photos from space.

“The camera will allow us to share locally gathered information on a global level,” he said, adding that “you won’t have to be at the observatory to see Saturn’s rings; we can make the photos available to you at your convenience.”

The physics department eventually hopes to bring the instrumentation up to today’s standards for astronomical teaching and small-college research projects. “We would like to contribute more to the research going on in astronomy,” Fleisch said.

Fleisch is currently working with Ohio State’s John Kraus, inventor of the helix antenna and designer of the “Big Ear” radio telescope. The two are collaborating on the fifth edition of Kraus’ standard textbook on electromagnetics for McGraw-Hill.