Five College Radio Astronomy Tower
Title
Five College Radio Astronomy Tower
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Description
The Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory was founded in 1969 by the Five College Astronomy Department. The observatory was located on a peninsula by the Quabbin Reservoir in the town of New Salem, Massachusetts. It was constructed under the leadership of John W. Lederle during a period of unprecedented growth for the university in the 1960s. During this period student enrollment tripled and the faculty salaries nearly doubled. The observatory was part of this expansion of the University of Massachusetts, and an example of the collaboration between the neighboring colleges.
The Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory was used for extensive research, and the training of graduate and undergraduate students. Although all students were encouraged to use the observatory for research, the work of Joseph Taylor and Russell Hulse gained the site the most recognition. Joseph Taylor was a Professor of Astronomy at UMass and was also the Associate Director of the observatory. Taylor and his colleague Russell Hulse won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993 for their contribution to the discovery of the binary pulsar system.
The Observatory was a site that witnessed the progression of technology. The first telescope used in the observatory was a low frequency antenna that was used to search for pulsars in the galaxy. The first telescope was replaced by a 14-meter radome-enclosed millimeter-wave telescope in 1976. After sufficient funding since 2005, UMass Amherst invested in a Large Millimeter Telescope. The Large Millimeter Telescope replaced the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. The observatory and its outdated telescope were removed by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on July 21, 2011. The Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory more than fulfilled its purpose by contributing not just to the University of Massachusetts, but to the study of physics and astronomy as well.
The Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory was used for extensive research, and the training of graduate and undergraduate students. Although all students were encouraged to use the observatory for research, the work of Joseph Taylor and Russell Hulse gained the site the most recognition. Joseph Taylor was a Professor of Astronomy at UMass and was also the Associate Director of the observatory. Taylor and his colleague Russell Hulse won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993 for their contribution to the discovery of the binary pulsar system.
The Observatory was a site that witnessed the progression of technology. The first telescope used in the observatory was a low frequency antenna that was used to search for pulsars in the galaxy. The first telescope was replaced by a 14-meter radome-enclosed millimeter-wave telescope in 1976. After sufficient funding since 2005, UMass Amherst invested in a Large Millimeter Telescope. The Large Millimeter Telescope replaced the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. The observatory and its outdated telescope were removed by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on July 21, 2011. The Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory more than fulfilled its purpose by contributing not just to the University of Massachusetts, but to the study of physics and astronomy as well.
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Source
UMass Special Collections and University Archives
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Identifier
RG150-0005263, RG150-0005266, RG150-0005269
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