Morrisville’s telescope back on track

By Vicki Gooch,'08 |Online News Editor

Professor Jerry Caretti points out the glass that was hand-poured for the college's 100-year-old telescope. 

Photo by Bryce Stone, '07

Under the guidance of Professor Jerry Caretti, Morrisville’s students and faculty members have spent time and effort restoring the college’s antique telescope.

The telescope was made in the early 1900’s. Morrisville State College received the telescope in 1967. It was then in need of repairs, so it was not used right away. 

Recently, the telescope was not in good condition. “It needed tender love and care,” said Caretti. He said he took the whole telescope apart and had to re-mount it because it was not facing in the right direction. Viewers could not even look at stars because the alignment was wrong.

“The balance is a big problem,” Caretti said. “It is now aligned well; it looks better than I thought it would.”  

With the remodeling of the telescope itself, the observatory on the hill east  of campus was in need of a few minor repairs as well.

To restore the telescope, all pieces had to be hand-made as it was originally done 100 years ago, Caretti explained. The telescope is made of steel, and the glass inside was hand poured. Because the glass is hand poured it is grainy with bubbles, and it has a green tint to it as well.  

The telescope is now at operating standard, and Caretti said he hopes to get students to the observatory to begin working with the telescope in the spring semester.