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This Week
Prepared by Office of University Communications
March 3, 2015
Student research leads to accreditation of Georgia College Pohl Observatory
Through the night sky you can get a glimpse of far-off planets, stars and even other galaxies at
the Pohl Observatory atop Herty Hall.
Two undergraduate physics majors spent countless hours during the last few months capturing
photos of the heavens through the observatory’s high-powered telescope. Thanks to their work and
analysis, the observatory is now accredited by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet
Center (MPC). Located at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, MPC is the official organization that computes, publicizes and catalogs the data concerning asteroids, known as minor planets,
comets and irregular natural satellites.
“Basically this project used the telescope to prove to the Minor Planet Center that our telescope is
capable of tracking objects accurately,” said junior physics major Joey Ronca.
Ronca and senior physics major Ben Crawley spent their independent research credit hours taking
multiple photos of asteroids as they moved across the night sky. Once they submitted that data to
the Minor Planet Center, it was compared to the center’s data for accuracy.
“The quickest and most efficient way is with asteroids because they’re near home and move a
lot. For us, it became a process of finding asteroids with the right magnitude and luminosity,”
said Crawley. “We would track the asteroids over a two to three day period. It sounds simple. You
take picture of asteroids for a couple of days, get the data and send it in, but there are so many
obstacles to overcome.”
The designation marks the Pohl Observatory as a trusted site, which means it is able to gather
precise measurements, known as astrometry, to update the position and brightness of known and
newly discovered asteroids and comets.
Under the supervision of Dr. Donovan Domingue, professor of physics and astronomy, the
students captured images of four minor planets at six positions. The observations took place in
November 2014, and the observatory received its accreditation in January 2015.
“This accreditation means that we can publish our data and research, and if we do, then the
astronomical community knows that our telescope is capable of doing what we are saying it is
doing,” said Ronca. “It definitely puts some ethos behind us and our studies. Also it means that
the Minor Planet Center can ask us to observe a certain object and help them collect data— we can
have a lasting impact on the astronomy community.”
Both researchers credit the opportunities offered through the Georgia College Department of
Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy with helping tackle this project.
“The care for students here is so far and above any school I’ve seen or visited. Faculty try to
actively get you integrated into participation into their program” said Crawley. “I feel honored and
Joey Ronca (left) and Ben Crawley, both physics majors, recently collected and submitted data for the accreditation of the Pohl Observatory.
proud that we got to help get this place accredited. Hopefully more and more people will see the
astronomy program and realize that this has something to offer.”
“The reason why I chose GC was because of the access to research that I had here,” said Ronca.
“That’s what made the school stand out for me. I knew I would be able to do research, but I had
no idea I would be able to take part in something as important as getting accredited.”
With a bright future ahead of them, Ronca and Crawley both plan to attend graduate school and
pursue a Ph.D. after they graduate.
“I want to teach and research at the college level,” said Ronca. “This type of work is what I want
to do.”
For Crawley, the plans include possibly expanding the horizons for resource use on earth. “I
would like to start looking at SpaceX, Boeing or NASA to help plan missions to asteroids to mine
minerals,” said Crawley. “I would love to play a hand in making this jump from mining earth to
mining the heavens.”
Harlem Globetrotters at Centennial Center Friday Old Governor’s Mansion hosts ‘Portraits in Gray,
The world famous Harlem
Globetrotters, featuring some of the
greatest athletes and entertainers on
the planet, will bring their unrivaled family show to the Centennial Center at Georgia College in
Milledgeville on Friday, March 6, at
7 p.m., during the Harlem Globetrotters 2015 “Washington Generals’
Revenge” Tour. The Globetrotters will face a great
challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to
match the franchise’s historic last victory over
the Globetrotters nearly a half century ago. It has been five years since the Globetrotters
and Generals have faced off, as the Generals
have been searching far and wide for the
best players to retool their roster and have
been preparing for one thing: victory over the
Globetrotters.
In addition to the highly-anticipated match
up on the court, the Globetrotters, known
worldwide as the Ambassadors of
Goodwill™, will honor a Harlem
Globetrotters Hometown Hero at each
of their 310-plus games in North
America. The team is searching for
active, wounded or retired members
of the military who have made their
community proud with their brave
service and exemplary character. Fans can nominate a Harlem
Globetrotters Hometown Hero at
harlemglobetrotters.com. The Globetrotters
will also play a portion of each game with a
camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to
all who protect our freedom.
After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign
autographs and take photos with fans.
Tickets start at $28 and are now available
at harlemglobetrotters.com, ticketweb.com,
the Centennial Center’s Athletic Office, or by
phone at 1-866-468-7630. Information on
group and scout tickets can also be found at
harlemglobetrotters.com.
Russell Library, the GIVE Center, Communities in Schools and the Mary Vinson Memorial Library teamed up for the National
Education Association’s 17th Annual Read Across America/Dr. Seuss Day. Volunteers read at several schools including Midway
Elementary. Librarian Beth Broyles (left) reads to students, while GC Soccer players (right) don the Cats hat.
Tuesday
A Civil War Photographic Exhibition’
The Old Governor’s Mansion
will host a special exhibition
from March 2 through May 22,
2015. “Portraits in Gray, A Civil
War Photographic Exhibition”
displays more than 70 images
of Civil War soldiers from the
collection of David Wynn
Vaughan.
“We are proud to partner with
the Southern Museum of Civil
War and Locomotion History in
Kennesaw, Ga. for this exhibition,” said Matt Davis, director
of the Old Governor’s Mansion.
“This exhibit gives visitors the
opportunity reflect on the lives
and stories of those featured in
the photographs as well as learn their fates.”
“Portraits in Gray” puts average soldiers in
the spotlight. Many of the images featured in the
exhibit are of identified individuals, which allows
the viewer to create a deeper and richer context
for that time in history.
“When this exhibit opens at the Old Governor’s
Mansion, it will be a remarkable joining of place
and memory,” said Jonathan Scott, curator at
the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. “Milledgeville was what the men
featured in this exhibit knew and respected as the
capital of Georgia; during the summer and fall
of 1864, cadets from Georgia Military Institute
(eight of whom are featured in this exhibit) were
posted in Milledgeville to defend this city.”
Along with the photos, the exhibit will feature
interpretive banners and panels that illustrate
the challenges confederate soldiers faced. Scott
highlights the impact of some of the photos.
“The images of Private Thomas Tate, 4th Georgia, and an unknown private from Fayetteville,
Ga. are excellent studies in the emotions that can
be conveyed through images,” said Scott. “Tate,
17-years-old and dressed in an apparently new
uniform, has a look on his face that seems to
show fear or at least apprehension, before going
to the fight. By way of contrast, the unknown
private wears a dirty, worn uniform; his eyes
show none of the fear that Tate shows, and yet
speak volumes regarding what he has seen and
what he has done on the battlefield.”
The exhibit will be available for viewing during
the Mansion’s regular hours, Tuesday through
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 2
to 4 p.m.
This exhibition is free and open to the public
thanks to funds awarded by the Museums for
American Grant from the Institute of Museum
and Library Services. Tours of the Mansion are
$10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $2 for
students and children under 6 years of age. GC
faculty, staff and students get in free.
For more information, visit gcsu.edu/mansion
or call 478-445-4545.
What’s going on in Bobcat Territory?
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5:30 p.m.- In celebration of Women’s
History Month, the Cultural Center and the
Women’s Center present “Triangle Fire” in
Atkinson room 108. The discussion surrounds
the deadliest workplace accident in New York
City’s history.
7:30 p.m.- The music department presents
faculty recital, “Liederabend,” performed by
soprano Dr. Andrea Mueller, pianist Kaju Lee
and assisted by clarinetist Rebecca Cooke.
7:30 p.m.- The Georgia College creative
writing program welcomes fiction writer Kyle
Minor, author of “In the Devil’s Territory”
and “Praying Drunk” to the Max Noah
Recital Hall.
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Friday
Thursday
Wednesday
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7 p.m.- Annual production of Eve Ensler’s
“Vagina Monologues” in Maxwell Student
Union Lounge.
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7 p.m.- Harlem Globetrotters at Centennial
Center.
7 p.m.- Annual production of Eve Ensler’s
“Vagina Monologues” in Maxwell Student
Union Lounge.
Visit frontpage.gcsu.edu/calendar
Saturday
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10 a.m. to 3 p.m.- Art department Printmaking Open House at the Print shop- 341
N. Wayne Street. Come celebrate art and
printmaking with music, artwork, food and
live printmaking demonstrations.
7 p.m.- Annual production of Eve Ensler’s
“Vagina Monologues” in Maxwell Student
Union Lounge.