January 22,1987
The Record
Page 7
Observatory offers great view
By Sean Fennessy
and Julie K link hammer
Although many CSB/SJU students don't realize it, SJU has a partially functioning observatory that is equipped with five tele -scopes — four reflecting and one optic.
Unfortunately, only one and a half are in working order. According to Tom Kirkman, assistant professor of physics, the others need minor wiring repair and simple cleaning, yet he and astronomy professor Mclchior Frcund, OSB, director of the observatory, currently don't have the time to make the necessary repairs.
The weather can also cause problems in the observatory, which is located south of the cemetery and seminary playing field. One room of the building is heated, but the other room, which has a roof that rolls off, houses the telescopes and is unhcatcd. In the winter, that makes repairs a cold task. Repairs are usually made in the warmer months of the year. Before any observing can be done in the winter, the roof usually needs to be shoveled. Nevertheless, the observing of stars can be quite chilly.
Still, even the partially functioning observ -atory has its educational benefits. "There is a big difference between a good picture and the real thing," Frcund said. "The student
can observe Jupiter and her rings and satel -litcs, return a few minutes later and sec changes first hand. That's something a photograph can't do."
"The observatory gives the student an enjoyable opportunity to view the sky," Frcund continued. "The students learn the names of stars and constellations and ihc proper use of a telescope or binoculars, and those students learn the mythology of the stars."
Kirkman added that the area is a good place to make observations since the sky is not obstructed by the glare of city lights.
The Physics Club uses the observatory occasionally, but Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. "It will turn cloudy at 4 p.m. and we will postpone until the next night — then at 7 p.m. it will clear off," Kirkman said.
In addition, this past fall junior Dan Mayer, a student of the physics department, suc-.cessfully took pictures of the night sky for an astrophysics experiment using the largest available telescope, a 12-inch reflector — strong proof that the observatory is useful for more than the astronomy class.
Frcund said that the observatory dates back to the 1880s, when the original observ-
Photo by Dan Mayer
This fall an SJU student took pictures of the night sky using the largest available telescope at the SJU observatory.
atory sat atop the old water tower. In 1894, the location was moved lo the current site of the Prep School, remaining there until 1962 when the Prep School was con -structcd. The current structure of the observ -atory was built in 1968 under the guidance of Frcund.
Today the observatory is a part of the
Physics Department. It budgets the repairs, which require time more than money — time that Kirkman or Frcund don't have because of their other duties in the class -room. Kirkman hopes the observatory will obtain another telescope in the next few years after he finishes the current repairs.
Monastery
continued from page 6
about something besides making money — and that's part of what this experience is about." Tasks range from shoveling snow to interviewing monks for a videotape about the community.
Junior Joe Eltgroth noted, "The live-in has been time-consuming and pretty intense. Because of-the lime involved I've been able to make the most out of J-Tcrm. The live-in has been very active, but there's been plenty of quiet for reading and reflection as well. The days have been full, and I've been able to learn a lot about the community and myself as well.*'
Information about other monastic live-in programs can be obtained by contacting Joel Kelly, OSB, in the Campus Ministry office at 363-2791.
St. Joseph CLEANERS AND LAUNDROMAT
ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS
Located on Main St. Across from the LaPlayette
363-7581
Open: Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm Sat ' 8 am-6 pm Sun 10 am-5 pm
Reusse
continued from page 6
I had no idea what I would be "doing" — whether I was going to be writing, typing, an office gopher — it was yet to be decided. Patrick is laid-back where specific tasks and agendas arc concerned. So when he informed me that we would be travelling to St. Cloud that night for a hockey game, my dreams were once again alive. This sportswriting stuff was all right.
I met Herb Brooks that night. No big accomplishment for some people, I am well aware, but to an intern, his first day on the job, this had the making of a movie.
Two days later, Herb was in the back of my mind. I had dinner with Glen Sonmor and Lou Nanne. I spilled burrito sauce on the tablecloth of the Met Center's press restaurant.
I was beginning to feel at home. I could learn to like this job in a hurry.
As I laid my head on my pillow the Friday ending that first week, I ran through all that
I had done. I had met Herb Brooks, Lou Nannc, Glen Sonmor. Patrick had also introduced me to his co-workers at the paper. I had read the latest news off the Associated Press wire, watched columns develop, watched columnists work. I had listened to stories from Patrick about sports heroes of the past, and of the struggling pros hoping to be the stars of tomorrow.
My conclusions were that every week would be like this week; sportswriting was the greatest profession bar none; J-lerm should last two months.
That is when the second week began.
There were no meetings with sports celeb -ritics, no dinners with famous hockey honchos. This, I was to be informed, was the work of a journalist.
I spent time in the paper's library, research -ing past articles. Hours were spent on the phone, talking to different people to make a column come together. And even more time was spent trying to write an article that wouldn't embarrass me in front of my new friends.
The second week might fit under that gloomy term "reality." I realized that sports writing is not much different from many other high-visibility jobs. It has its moments of stardom, but its hours of work gloom longer. It isn't a nine-io-fivc job, but some days you would like it to be.
I don't want to sound like Mr. Gloom. This internship has been a great thing for me — it has exposed me lo a career field I am interested in. It has been something I couldn't have experienced in a classroom. It has been great fun. And, darn it all, try as I might to not let it interfere, it has brought learning into the picture as well. I've learned something usually not associated with J-tcrm.
Strange as it may sound, writing this article has been the most difficult assignment I've had this month. Ii has made me wonder what I have been doing the past three weeks, wonder what I have learned so far.
No illusions or dreams have been lost, but the reality of sportswriling has come to light. These arc strange things, these internships; you may end up learning more than you bargained for.
Carmelites
continued from page 6
The true interest and challenge of contcm -plation, however, lies not in the disciplined schedule but in the men and women who follow it. There are four female monks (monks can be women too) and four male monks, two of whom are priests. They arc all hermits.
Now if an image of a crazy old man living in a cave in the mountains, out of touch with society and probably reality is dancing in your head from the word 'hermit,' let me set you straight. The hermits of the Nada Hermitage have all graduated from college and some have master's degrees. None are over 45, and I would question any Joluinie who said he was better informed on world events than these hermits. They like music and literature, and exercise is an integral part of their lives. As individuals they are exceptionally personable and interesting and have a wide variety of backgrounds. They are simply a group of men and women who have chosen lo live in a monastic community where the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are taken seriously.
Living amon£ the Carmelites, however, forces you lo i ^evaluate your relationship
with God. Here are educated, talented, lively people who have given up the goals that many of us arc in school for hopes of achieving — a job, financial security, children — all in the pursuit of God. And when you experience the great vitality, the utter confidence they have in the direction of their lives, you cannot help but recon -sidcr the direction of your own.
You have plenty of time to consider it too — and any other topic you choose because of the great amount of solitude that the Carmelites live in. The idea of being alone wilh yourself may not frighten you, but when you consider that there are no TVs and radios, the proposition may become a bit more of a challenge. You may be forced to read for entertainment or hike in the mountains or write. In the end, you might discover that these alternative forms of entertainment have something to offer that the TV or radio can't quite match.
My stay wilh the Carmelites this January has been a particularly rewarding one. I have found here an atmosphere that is relaxed yet electrifying and have been challenged to fully examine myself and my God. Contemplation in Colorado has much to offer; although you miss the football playoffs, you may learn something about
God and you will undoubtedly learn some -thing about yourself. Perhaps the question will Ihcn arise whether you can learn about one exclusive of the other.
Peru
continued from page 6
Taxi drivers in Lima, for instance, seem to rely on a mixture of cocoa leaves and a local liquor, Pisco, to help them through their long, hot days. With this combination of Pisco and cocoa, the Lima taxi driver is ready for anything. The combination allows for a rush of pure adrenalin which makes them drive faster and more recklessly than any sane person in the world. Using only their horns and a deeply held psychotic notion that the best way to drive is with your bloodshot eyes closed, these taxi drivers make the Indianapolis 500 seem like a quiet Sunday drive. The overwhelming choice of car for these people is the Volkswagen Bug. One taxi driver summed it up nicely when he said that the reason he drove the compact, versatile Bug was because he could pass cars by driving on the sidewalk if he wanted to ...
