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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 2004)
F eature F ebruary 4, 2004 T he C lackamas P rint • 5 Seeing stars at campus observatory'*’ Karen Hill F eature E ditor Stargazing may seem like something that’s only possible on summer nights in deserted fields, far from the Portland city lights, but thanks to the Haggart Observatory, viewing the night sky can become a Saturday night rit ual throughout the year—right here on cam pus. “The winter sky is particularly spectacular,” said Karen Halliday, faculty librarian and observatory volunteer. “You can see some of the biggest, brightest constellations.” The observatory features a variety of view ing options. Astronomical binoculars allow viewers to observe star clusters, constellations, and double stars. A 13” telescope presents the opportunity to see planets and objects high in the sky. The 24” telescope, kept in the dome of the observatory, is best for deep space objects (i.e., objects low in the sky). The observatory is run by a group of 15 volunteers who are on call Saturday nights from 6-10 p.m. when the observatory is open. The decision to open is based on the weather. The opening status of the observatory should be posted on Saturdays by 4 p.m. Occasionally, when a clear night develops later in the evening, a group of available vol unteers might choose to open the tower. Halliday suggests to call the observatory’s extension to confirm closure for locals who notice clouds in the early evening, but clear sky later on. Halliday explained that many people, because of the clouds, trees and lights, are weary of finding anything in the sky. “People think that stargazing isn’t very good around here,” said Halliday. “It’s actually a good place to learn because when it’s a real ly clear sky you can sec so many stars [that] it’s hard to tell what you’re looking at. When you can’t see as many, it’s easier to pick out what you’re looking for.” The tower is limited by the fire marshal to ten visito® at a time. In an effort to keep the visitors waiting their turn up the tower occu pied, the observatory has set up several sta tions on the ground. These include displays modeling the solar system, information on the stages of the moon and a computerized plan etarium. Another activity, coordinated by a volun teer, is a constellation walk through the athlet ic field on campus. The visitors are led through the field, directing their eyes and binoculars to objects of interest in the night sky. “Constellation tours in the field are one 9 of my favorite things,” said Halliday. | The observatory, named after Harold | Haggart, was opened to the public for the I first time on March 7, 1989. Haggart, a long 1 time of resident of Oregon City, constructed I a domed observatory attached to his resi- | dence, which included a telescope of his own ■ make and design. He sold the telescope to the City of Portland before his death in 1984. j In May of 1988, Haggart’s widow Darcy J arranged for the dome Haggart had built, ■ which was still in perfect condition, to be a donated to Clackamas Community College’s S Environmental Learning Center. An obser- 9 vatory was constructed around the dome. In 1989, an observing area was completed, reached by a circular stairway and surrounded by a six-foot wide deck. In 1999, due to rotting timbers found in the deck, the observatory was closed for reno vation. Thanks to over §160,000 of donated materials and services, the observatory reopened two years later with a newly built deck, warming hut and stairs. Haggarts’s dome is still in place atop the new structure. Halliday suggests viewers bring binoculars when visiting the observatory. “There’s lots of little surprises,” she said. There are many objects to the look at with binoculars, such as star clusters, deep space objects, and double stars, which Halliday j describes as two stars so close j| together that they appear as j|| one to the naked eye. Presently, viewers can see Venus, Mars and Saturn with a telescope, according to Halliday, and soon Jupiter will be visible as well. *>««»««»» ANGELA GERHART C lackamas P rint Home-school students Geology students await Death Valley get jump start on college education Jessica LeClaire T he C lackamas P rint accept me as a college student, it’s really great.” T he C lackamas P rint Home-schooled students are not The Home School Option the only ones who profit from the Program at CCC offers home Home School Option Program; the schooled students under the age of 19 college appears to be benefiting as the chance to earn college credits well. while supplementing their home edu Many of the home-schooled stu dents are actively involved on campus. cation. Tuition is covered by the student’s Along with her two older siblings, school district, so books and fees arc Pearson is a member of the the only charges that students enrolled Clackamas Speech and Debate team, and Berens, a scc- in the program are ond-year German required to cover. student, is currently Numerous home serving as president schoolers in Clackamas County of the German Club. are taking advantage While this pro gram is not intended of this opportunity. 1‘iftcen-y car-old to entirely replace a home school stu student’s at-home dent Elizabeth studies, it does give Pearson has been participants a jump start on their college attending Clackamas careers. part-time since age Some students, 13. including Pearson She continues to study music, math and Berens, will have accumulated enough and science at home, Elizabeth Pearson college credits to while taking several Home School Options earn an associate’s courses that interest Program student degree before their her, such as history, 18™ birthdays. speech and physical In order to be eli education, at the gible for the Home School Option college. Sarah Berens, now 16, has been a Program, students are required to be participant in the Home School registered as being home-schooled Option Program since age 14. She with the Clackamas Education Service enrolled in the program after her older District. They must pass a “New Student College Success” course dur brother’s positive experience. “He was one of the first people [to ing their first term at Clackamas and participate],” said Berens. “He was maintain attendance cards for each of their college classes. like the guinea pig.” Berens and Pearson both said that All students under the age of 16 the transition from home studies to must receive special permission from their class instructor in order college courses has been painless. However, they have become accus to enroll. For more information about tomed to shocked expressions from faculty and fellow students when they CCC’s Home School Option Program, visit the college website: www.clacka- reveal their ages. “It’s only a problem when people mas.edu, or contact Sue Eggleston, coordinator, at know I’m younger and treat me dif program ferent,” said Pearson. “Once they sueeg@clackamas.edu. Bethany Monroe “It’s only a problem when people know I’m younger and treat me differ ent. Once they accept me as a college student, it’s really great.” Viewing old mining sites, playing in sand dunes and participating in hikes are just a few of the fun events that take place during the spring break campus affiliated trip to Death Valley, earning participants three biology credits. The Natural History of SW Deserts (BI-165) class is only offered once a year. It is a nine-day trip through the desert regions of the southwestern United States. Geology professor John Snively started this annual expedition to Death Valley 30 years ago “It is not just a valley,” said Snively. Death Valley is filled with many sites to see. Students will have the opportunity to learn about various animals, plants and geological features of the desert. Other topics include the environmental issues of the Great Basin Region and Death Valley National Park. “I’m really excited to learn more about geology and pretty much how Death Valley was formed. There are some pretty amazing things that a lot of people don’t know about Death Valley and that I still don’t know,” said CCC student Athena Murphy. “I am excited to learn more and to see the sites.” Many mysterious events have taken place in Death Valley. The mystery that still baffles scientists today is how the “moving rocks” actually move. “I am most excited about learning about the wildlife and the extraordi nary geological findings in Death Valley, such as the highest and lowest points of the mountains,” said Murphy. “I’m also excited to see what the temperature is like because in the summer it’s the hottest place in the world.” Some of the worthwhile sites stub dents will see include the moving rocks, pup fish and the lowest point in Meal Deal Coupons BREAKFAST SANDWICH WITH MEAT & A SIDE OF POTATOES FOR $2.95 North America called Bad Water. According to life science professor Bob Misley, students who go on the trip to Death Valley will learn a great deal about the desert by hands on experi ence; living, breathing and studying it “The best, real true learning in natu ral science is always done in the field. You don’t learn from a talking head or by being confined by four walls,” said Misley. ‘The only real truth is experi ence.” There is only room for 22 to 24 stu dents to take this trip. The list fills up fast, so interested students should sign up now. “I really hope I get [to go to Death Valley] because, not only would I gain a lot of knowledge, but I would walk away with a really awesome experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life,’’ said Murphy. “If I don’t get to go this year, I will definitely be the first one to sign up next year.” o ONLY VALID WHEN COUPON IS PRESENT Not valid with any other coupons. Offer valid thu Feb. 10, 2004 From 7:00a.m. - 10:30a.m. Only in the Cougar Cafe, Clackamas Community College Sarbucks 1 REGULAR 2 SHOT MOCHA FOR $2.75 ADD A FLAVOR FOR $0.25 Open from 7a.m. - 3p.m. ONLY VALID WHEN COUPON IS PRESENT Offer valid thru Feb. 10, 2004 Only in the Cougar Cafe, Clackamas Community College 2 in
