Comment EI-22417
Received or sent (printed as 5/5/2016)
The near proximity of this rail line to the Calumet Astronomy Center, located at 191st and Chase Street in Lowell, would completely shut down the research and educational activities taking place there. Three observatories are presently operational at this location. The vibrations, noise pollution and light pollution caused by the many trains would dramatically affect the use of the sensitive observatory equipment. The Northwest Indiana Robotic Observatory (NIRo), maintained by the Physics and Astronomy Department at Purdue University NW is being used for educational research by staff and students. An example of their work is chronicled in the following article. http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/astronomy-research-of-five-puc-s tudents-is-published/article_3a92a882-4f92-5c0c-b4bf-72aab67a462b.html The Thomas Conway Observatory and the Mildred Hunter Astrophotography Laboratory are maintained by the Calumet Astronomical Society (CAS). Members of CAS are using these facilities not only for their research but also to share the wonders of the night sky with visitors to the Calumet Astronomy Center. Not only do visitors have an opportunity to look through Conway’s 16 inch telescope at monthly open houses and other special astronomy events, but CAS members will set up their personal telescopes to provide additional viewing opportunities for these guests. All events are open to the public, family friendly, and free. The Calumet Astronomical Society will also arrange special viewing and educational opportunities for youth groups. Following are just a few examples of what takes place at the observatory. 1) In June of 2012, Venus would cross the face of the Sun and this would be visible in NW Indiana. Members of CAS had their telescopes set up and fitted with special filters to give visitors an opportunity to get an “up close and personal” view of this event. We estimated that approximately 300 visitors took advantage of viewing through our telescopes. By the way, if you missed this epic event, it will happen again in the year 2117 and 2125. For some of us, this was a once in a lifetime event. 2) Each year CAS hosts Girl Scouts from the Greater Chicagoland Council for a day of fun and learning at the Observatory. After a barbecue, the Troop leaders provide the scouts with various astronomy related learning activities. When darkness falls, CAS members use their telescopes to take the Scouts and their parents on a tour of the night sky. 3) We can also anticipate a crowd of 100 or more on the peak nights of the Perseid and Leonid meteor showers. Included are a few pictures of what we have and what takes place at the Calumet Astronomy Center. I urge you to find a way to circumvent the GLBT’s rail line plans that would realistically put an end to these learning activities.
Submitted by: Larry Maka · Calumet Astronomical Society · Munster, Indiana
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Calumet Astronomy Center.JPG ↓ Hunter & Conway.jpg ↓ NIRo Observatory.JPG ↓ Youth group 1.jpg ↓
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35952/comment/EI-22417
File docketyard.org/document/46afe3909815cc2874e1afbb2c9d52044a728a44271048243b561a5f27040875.jpg
File docketyard.org/document/15cafdde45856ea0898d1800dc041d88de886988f91f1227f43f13fe2841ca4a.jpg
File docketyard.org/document/deb48ed411aad28054677d2c4ba6e607236c9f6d1c3d034872f6fcc0b6227df7.jpg
File docketyard.org/document/e988d4de44e10ad3716a6210db49042b8b38acb06d51fad6d9371557d11a23b3.jpg · back to the docket sheet