William P. Hobby-Robert E. Eberly Telescope

9-17-97
A joint release from:

The University of Texas at Austin
The Pennsylvania State University
Stanford University
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen
Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen

On October 8, 1997, one of the world's largest, most powerful, and most economical new optical telescopes will be dedicated at The University of Texas McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas. Located atop Mt. Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) is a joint project of The University of Texas at Austin, The Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, and Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen.

The HET is uniquely designed to collect and analyze light from astronomical objects such as comets, planets, stars, and galaxies using a technique called spectroscopy. Spectroscopy provides astronomers with a wealth of information such as what stars are made of, how far away they are, and how fast they are moving. Astronomers will use the telescope to search for planets in orbit around other stars, learn more about the "dark matter" that surrounds galaxies, and refine theories about how stars are born and how they die.

The telescope is already generating international interest in the scientific community for pioneering innovative, collaborative, and cost-conscious science.

Contact: Sandra Barnes at 512/475-6765 through October 6 and at 915/426-3263 October 7 and 8, email: sandi@astro.as.utexas.edu More Information: http://www.as.utexas.edu/mcdonald/het/het.html

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FACTS ABOUT THE HET
-- The Hobby-Eberly Telescope was conceived for astronomical spectroscopy, the study of light emitted or absorbed by celestial objects. A spectroscope breaks light into the familiar rainbow of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) that make up a spectrum. Astronomers studying a spectrum can learn about the temperature, speed, rotation, and composition of a star.

-- The HET is a joint project of three U.S. universities (The University of Texas at Austin, Pennsylvania State University, and Stanford University) and two German universities (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen and Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen).

--The telescope has 91 computer-aligned mirror segments that span 36 feet, the height of a three-story building, giving it the largest telescope mirror in the world. Its light-gathering power ranks third behind the twin Keck telescopes in Hawaii.

-- Innovative design and construction techniques enabled the HET to be constructed for only $13.5 million, about one-sixth the cost of a Keck telescope.

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About Mcdonald Observatory
-- The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory is ranked among the top ten observatories in the world.

-- The facility is located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, 16 miles northwest of Fort Davis, at an altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level.

-- McDonald Observatory has a record of astronomical discovery dating back more than 50 years, and currently operates telescopes with mirrors ranging in size from 30 to 107 inches atop Mt. Locke, which is adjacent to Mt. Fowlkes.

-- The observatory has the clearest and darkest site of any major astronomical observation point in the continental U.S., with approximately 230 clear nights each year and no light pollution.

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Dedication Schedule

Tuesday, October 7, 1997
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments and tours at the HET site on Mt. Fowlkes

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dinner and Lecture in the Observatory Firehouse "Exploring the Universe with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope" Dr. Robert P. Kirshner Chairman and Professor of Astronomy Harvard University

8:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Astronomical Viewing on Mt. Locke 82-inch Otto Struve Telescope
107-inch Harlan J. Smith Telescope

Wednesday, October 8, 1997
8:30 a.m.
Coffee and refreshments at the check-in station in the Visitors' Center parking lot.

9:00 a.m.
Shuttle service to Mt. Fowlkes begins

10:00 a.m.
Dedication of the William P. Hobby-Robert E. Eberly Telescope Dedication address by Nobel-prize winner Steven Weinberg, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at Austin

11:00 a.m.
Tours of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope

11:30 a.m.
Luncheon in the Observatory Firehouse

Shuttle service will be provided between all event locations. All times are CDT.

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Newsfeed/Satellite News Gathering Opportunity (Sng)

Contact: Lance Hagood at 512/471-6783 or 512/923-7493 (cellular phone)

A special newsfeed of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope dedication will be produced for free and unrestricted use. The dedication ceremony will be uplinked live from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT on October 8, 1997. This Ku band feed (coordinates to be announced) will offer B-roll, computer animation, and interviews with scientists and dignitaries about the new telescope. B-roll will be fed from 9:30 a.m. CDT to 10 a.m. CDT, with the live dedication of the telescope following from 10 to 11 a.m. CDT.

An SNG opportunity for live shots from the telescope will be available via a Ku band truck located at the telescope site. Information about SNG opportunities and updates on coordinates are available through Lance Hagood.

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Special Media Opportunities

Tuesday, October 7

Check in: Visitors' Center at the entrance to McDonald Observatory by 1:30 p.m.

Time: October 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Event: Press tours and location scouting of the HET and other McDonald Observatory facilities and opportunities to interview astronomers

Wednesday, October 8

Check-in: Press station at HET parking lot by 9:30 a.m. (The dedication will take place outside and sufficient time is needed to get to the top of Mt. Fowlkes and to set up.)

Time: October 8 immediately following the 10 a.m. dedication
Event: Question-and-answer session with scientists, dignitaries, and program participants

All times are CDT. Media representatives are invited to attend all other events included on the Dedication Schedule below.

Contact:
Sandi Barnes
Director, Public Information Programs
McDonald Observatory
2609 University Room 3.116
Austin TX 78712
512 475 6765 voice mail 512 471 5060 fax
http://stardate.utexas.edu