50 Years Ago (or thereabout)

From the Polar Star, Oct. 25, 1957
McIntosh Radio Contacts Sputnik

On the night of October tenth and the early morning of the eleventh, two University of Alaska students collaborated in the recording of the Russian satellite, Sputnik. Gail Graham and John Elliott, combining knowledge and equipment, tape-recorded the radio signals transmitted by sputnik.

“Hard work and time was the key to our success,” reported Graham, owner of the receiver used in the experiment. Elliott handled the recording work while Graham used all the practical knowledge at his command to modify his receiver, an RME 4300 Communications Receiver, and pull the signal from the 185 pounds of metal to Room five of McIntosh Hall….

For three nights they tried and finally decided that their efforts were all for naught. On the fourth night, with conditions ideal, Graham once again tried to tune in the satellite and was successful. .... Then, at last the long, weird noise from the heavens came into the room. The time, Graham noted, was zero eight thirty, GMT. The signal faded to nothing but a smile appeared on the faces of the two.

25 years ago:
From the Northern Sun/Polar Star, Oct. 22, 1982

New dome a boon to astronomers
By Art Conforti

Students of astronomy will soon be able to watch the skies through a new telescope dome on campus. Dr. Jerry Romick, senior research consultant at the Geophysical Institute, said permission was granted recently for the installation of the dome on the knoll just across the road from the Elvey Building within the next few weeks. Professor Glenn Shaw, who teaches astronomy at the institute, said the 10-foot-diameter dome was acquired from the weather service and has been sitting in the back parking lot for some time.

Geophysics Professor Charles Deehr said the idea of doing any real professional, or even serious amateur; astronomical observation from the arctic regions is an exercise in futility. He cited the intense cold and discomfort for the observer as well as the effect of the dense, layered atmosphere on the starlight. The scintillation, he said, is so bad as to make meaningful measurements impossible.

Romick agreed, but said the new dome will enable students to become familiar with a telescope and learn the technique by making simple observations.