Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    USG approves plan for new observatory near Dahlonega Campus

    January 14, 2019
    Dr. Richard Prior, head of the physics department at UNG, and Dr. Gregory Feiden, assistant professor of astronomy at UNG, were pleased to learn that the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents approved a plan to replace the aging observatory at the University of North Georgia (UNG). The plan is to demolish the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory and build a state-of-the-art facility in the same spot on top of a hill about 4 miles from campus.

    Article By: Staff

    Dr. Gregory Feiden tried not to get his hopes up when he learned the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents would vote on a plan to replace the aging observatory at the University of North Georgia (UNG). But he and other members of UNG's physics department celebrated when the project received USG's seal of approval.

    "Now I can revel in the excitement," said Feiden, assistant professor of astronomy at UNG. "I think it will be wonderful on all fronts, including teaching students, educating the public and conducting research."

    Dr. Richard Prior, head of the physics department at UNG, said UNG needs a new, more modern observatory considering the current facility is 20 years old. Ken Crowe, assistant vice president of facilities at UNG, agreed.

    "It is long overdue," Crowe said.

    2019-01-16-observatory-3

    This is a proposed rendering of the new observatory. It is expected to have office space, storage space, a small classroom area, a public-access space, two bathroom, and a kitchenette. Two new telescopes with domes will anchor the building.

    The plan is to demolish the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory and build a state-of-the-art facility in the same spot on top of a hill about 4 miles from campus near Pine Valley, UNG's outdoor recreation complex in Dahlonega. The new facility is expected to have office space, storage space, a small classroom area, a public-access space, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.

    Accompanying the new building will be two brand-new telescopes with domes anchoring the ends of the facility.

    "The current telescope we have is old and worn out," Prior said.

    Feiden agreed, explaining the 1968 telescope does not have defined sufficient pointing and guiding, and the mirror has degraded over time. This limits the scientific research UNG faculty and students can do.

    The new telescopes, measuring at 24 and 28 inches, will allow students to see deeper into space. Having two telescopes will also provide students the ability to study multiple aspects of stars simultaneously.

    "We can attach a camera to one telescope and record our data, while taking data with another instrument to the other telescope," Feiden said.

    The physics department ordered the telescopes last spring at the end of the fiscal year thanks to unused funds from the College of Science and Mathematics. Dr. Michael Bodri, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at UNG, explained he also has allocated some funds for the construction of the new observatory.

    The estimated construction cost of the new single-level 3,200-square-foot building is about $1.4 million, which the university will fund.

    The new facility will give students hands-on experience working in a professional-grade observatory with high-quality research equipment, Feiden said.

    "We want to give them a genuine experience and prepare them for graduate school or working for an observatory," Feiden said.

    Prior said the new telescopes and building provide a boost to the physics program and specifically for students interested in astronomy and astrophysics. Bodri concurred.

    "Astronomy is one of the most popular elective classes on the Dahlonega Campus," Bodri said.

    Prior hopes to add another faculty member to teach astronomy in the future.

    "We are also moving toward offering physics majors a concentration in astrophysics," he said.

    UNG students, faculty and staff will not be the only beneficiaries of a new observatory. The current and future building is and will be open to the public on Friday nights following the free show in the George E. Coleman Sr. Planetarium. It is an aspect that sets UNG's observatory apart.

    "It is part of the university's outreach mission," Prior said. "And we have a connection to the local astronomy club."

    Dr. Lesley Simanton-Coogan, lecturer in the physics department and planetarium director, said the observatory complements the planetarium.

    "We can show people a lot of things in the planetarium that can't be seen with the naked eye," she said. "I can show them things happening far away. And I can update them on astronomy news. Plus, we are open rain or shine. But it's still nice to go outside and look at the real sky. A new observatory will help people get excited about astronomy."

    Contact the Author

    Cronan gains research opportunity in Canada

    Cronan gains research opportunity in Canada

    UNG junior Anna Cronan has been selected for the summer 2023 Fulbright-MITACS Globalink Program, where she will conduct cover crop research.
    Chemistry department awarded $30K grant

    Chemistry department awarded $30K grant

    UNG's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry received a $30,000 grant to fund open access materials for undergrad courses.
    Smith authors book  on 'Friendly Politics'

    Smith authors book on 'Friendly Politics'

    UNG political science professor Dr. Glen Smith has published "Friendly Politics," a book aimed at helping people maintain strong relationships amid political divides.
    Morgan-Ellis is keynote speaker for conference

    Morgan-Ellis is keynote speaker for conference

    UNG music faculty member Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis has been selected to give the keynote address at the International Conference on Music Education Technology.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel