St Aloysius College has erected a new observatory on the top of ‘Xavier Block’. The construction work of the Observatory was commenced in the month of October, 2003. The cost of the whole project is Rs 10 lakhs. Dr Kasturirangan, Former Director of ISRO is expected to inaugurate the Observatory in March.

The diameter of the dome is 4 meters. It has a slit opening with motorized double door shutter, which extends to one meter. A motor is installed to the Dome, which adjusts the movement of the Dome to the movement of the Earth during the operation. The Dome is placed on wheels and it can be rotated.

The College has purchased a new Telescope with a reflector, produced by Meade Company, USA. It is an 8 inch Telescope with seven changeable eye pieces. It is easy to handle manually and still easier when connected to the computer. A digital camera will be attached to the telescope for downloading the pictures of celestial objects.

The observatory is first of the kind in Dakshina Kannada and will be handled by the Astronomy Club of the College. The staff of the Physics and Electronic Departments will be the in-charge of the Observatory.

(Report by Pradeep B, II B.A.)

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