Focus on Ford Observatory

Working in Ford Observatory

Sitting on the southwest edge of campus, the Clinton B. Ford Observatory is IC's gateway to the stars. Faculty and students use a 16-inch telescope and digital-imaging software to study the universe in all its vivid detail -- the College recently acquired a new digital camera and a visible-light spectrometer that will be available in the observatory for research projects. Local stargazers are also frequently invited to visit the facility for an awesome tour of the night sky.

The observatory has been a great research tool for the Ithaca College community. One ongoing student-faculty research project studies asteroid light curves; from this information students and scientists can plot the rotation of asteroids and get a sense of their shape and composition. Such efforts provide yet another example of how the working relationship between students and their professors makes Ithaca a special place to learn.