A Telescope For A Singapore University?

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:43 am

Dear All,

This morning I received the below email from a very active and notable CN/AM forum member (i think most of you will know him from his postings in the two forums). This is a VERY preliminary proposal. "This proposal is at the present time very informal, merely a "feeler" to sound out interest. I have no doubt that prolonged negotiations would have to be completed before this plan could reach maturity." He's also not the decision maker in Palomar, so may not even happen.

If anyone of you have any suggestion to make this wonderful proposal a reality, please discuss it here or email me at ariefm@singnet.com.sg

thank you,
Arief

************************************************************

Dear Sir:

I wonder if I could ask for your help and cooperation concerning the possible relocation of a world-famous, 18-inch Schmidt telescope to an educational institution in Singapore.

The Palomar Observatory in California has decided that it will no longer use the historic Schmidt telescope that was used by the famous planetologist Gene Shoemeker to discover the comet that impacted Jupiter in 1994, creating a revolution in planetary science.

The Palomar observatory now plans to place this telescope on display at the Palomar visitor center, where it will thus remain permanently out of service.

In my opinion, the cause of astronomy worldwide would be much better served if this notable telescope could be transferred to an educational institution where it could be used as a teaching and research instrument to inspire future generations of astronomers.

For this reason, I am now asking if you know of any college or university in Singapore that has an active astronomy education program, and could perhaps be approached with the goal of moving the 18-inch Schmidt instrument to Singapore for the benefit of students in your nation.

This proposal is at the present time very informal, merely a "feeler" to sound out interest. I have no doubt that prolonged negotiations would have to be completed before this plan could reach maturity.

However, every fire starts with a tiny spark. Thus I am advancing this proposition to you with the hope that you can perhaps give me a few names of astronomy faculty in Singapore with their e-mail addresses, in order to further pursue this concept. Or perhaps you could forward this e-mail to those individuals.

Please understand that I am not a decision maker for Palomar. I have no position or authority whatsoever at that observatory. I am merely trying as a private citizen to build interest in a plan that could possibly be very valuable for astronomy education in Singapore, and international good will in general.

Thank you in advance for any information and assistance that you can provide --

Very sincerely yours,

-- name deleted ---

MooEy · Post by **MooEy** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:55 am

wah?!? i'll take it. j/k

for a start, i think it will prolly cost a hefty sum to move it over and house it in a permanent observatory. i wonder who will actually put the effort into taking over and maintaining it. will try asking, dunno how it will turn out. so whose interested in flying over and take a look? anyone have any details on this scope? height? weight, etc etc?

~MooEy~

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:18 am

18" doesn't sound too big. Perhaps Remus will have some contact in the tertiary institutions.

Maybe replace the old refractor at the Science Centre!

simranjits · Post by **simranjits** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:20 am

If the person writing that has no authority or decision making powers and is a private citizen? Then i think its not appropriate without checking with the proper people whether they are interested in relocation or giving it up in the first place?

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:26 pm

He's not a decision maker, but he's a prominent amateur astronomer in CA. His voice will be heard.

There's nothing to lose here, really worth a try...

Post by **VinSnr** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:31 pm

ariefm71 wrote:He's not a decision maker, but he's a prominent amateur astronomer in CA. His voice will be heard.

There's nothing to lose here, really worth a try...

I could only think of the science centre.

Post by **Airconvent** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:28 pm

Its really a good gesture but I think we are probably one of many he asked and chances are the scope will end up back in the US. Why would they want to put it in Singapore where the astro community is passionate but small when they have a very large following and good skies in the US?
Also except for the Science Centre, I can't think of anyone who can afford to buy it over...perhaps Albert from can be tempted to make an offer for it ? :roll:

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:54 pm

the scope is not for sale, it will be donated. someone needs to cover the shipping cost, though. i'll forward the complete email to remus (nus), mooey (singpoly), and sinhoe (ntu) to find out if they are interested with it.

MooEy · Post by **MooEy** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:58 pm

err..i wun be in sg for long, so can't help much with the project. i have informed rp and np abt it. i think i will leave rp's side to raymond and jin peng.

~MooEy~

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:51 pm

Just my opinion, but I think this "Palomar scope to S'pore" is rather dubious. I find it incredible that someone who is not in the capacity to decide would suggest a notion to 'donate' a world-famous and very historically important telescope in the Palomar Observatory, and of all places, to suggest to donate to an educational instuitute in Singapore. What is his afinity and sentiments to Singapore? Why not donate to Brazil?

I believe there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Is this a joke or a scam? Better to think twice before transfering any funds to cover the 'shipping cost' etc. I don't read that much on CN/AM, maybe can someone please enlighten me on this? :roll: