Telescope's 'first light' to be celebrated

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The University of Utah says it's planning a celebration to mark the initial observations -- or "first light" -- of its new $860,000 research telescope.

The new 32-inch reflecting telescope located at the Willard Eccles Observatory near Milford, Utah, took its first pictures the night of Oct. 15, officials said. That event will be celebrated next Wednesday during a symposium and reception at the university's Salt Lake City campus.

The "first light" photo is an edge-on view of the spiral galaxy NGC 891, said Associate Professor Wayne Springer, who heads the project.

He said he is applying for a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation so the telescope can be operated by remote control from the university's main campus, 250 miles away.

Springer said the new observatory is located at an elevation of about 9,600 feet on Frisco Peak.

"I'm very excited about the possibilities with an observatory located on a mountaintop in a region with dark skies," he said. "We will certainly utilize the facility for education of students and for public outreach opportunities," including star parties in Salt Lake City that will use the telescope by remote control.