MSU Unveils New Telescope and Remote Viewing Room

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Posted: 6:27 PM Apr 17, 2004
Last Updated: 1:11 PM Apr 19, 2004
Reporter: Lori Dougovito

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The Southern Astrophysical Research or SOAR telescope sits high atop a mountain in Chile, but Professors of Astronomy at Michigan State University say it'll soon be one of their most beneficial research tools.

The university has been working with three other organizations for a decade now to get the project going. The telescope is now fully constructed in Chile. A remote observation room, located inside of the Biomedical and Physical Sciences building on MSU's campus, allows students and professors the ability to use the telescope for their own viewing. The room and the telescope were unveiled to the public Saturday.

Wolfgang Bauer, Department Chair, says the telescope will put MSU into a new league as far as research and astronomy are concerned. Timothy Beers, Professor of Astronomy, says it's a very visible sign of big science in action, probably the most visible sign on campus.

MSU contributed $6 million to the construction of the telescope and will receive 40 nights of viewing per year. The information collected will be used to study the early history of the universe and supernova events.

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Update: Sheriff's Deputy Killed in Highway Accident

Posted By: Anonymous2: Did anyone know that the deer he hit was already dead in the road!!! So if that was the case it would have been his fault for hitting the deer. As for the semi driver you can see at the scene where he tried to stop and swerve to miss him but becuase you cannot stop that big of a truck in a moments notice he had no choice! It is just that a tragic accident! My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Posted By: Mason: Hey Melinda..Are you High??? How stupid can you really be? Never mind, don't answer that, we can all figure it out. My thoughts and prayers goto Doug's family. So tragic! The good Lord above must have a different plan for him.
Posted By: RICHELLE: Seriously, I cant believe that people have nothing better to do with their time but to sit and debate how this accident happened and whos fault it is! There is a reason why its called an accident and I think people need to get it together. My thoughts are with Doug and his family.
Posted By: Get a brain!!: This was a freak accident. It's a tragedy for all involved including the Alward family and the trucker and his family. Pointing fingers isn't going to change this horrible accident.
Posted By: Scott: He was a wonderful caring officer and he will be greatly missed. Please pray for his family & friends.
Posted By: Beth: Just before Thanksgiving 2008 I was stopped by this officer for speeding and didn't feel it was fair. So I met him at the SJ courthouse to fight the ticket. These officers come in on their days off for these situations and he came in with his little girl and in plain clothes. He gave me a break. I still had to pay the fine, but no moving violation. Told his adorable little girl that she "has a good daddy". I knew he was just doing his job. It saddens me to think of his wife and young children without him. So tragic.
Posted By: Mary: I am a relative of the sister of Doug. I have to say some of these comments are just foul! I only met Doug once and I know his sister to be a great person. Please, pray for the family, don't blame and condemn people or animals. This was a horrible accident. That's all.
Posted By: Paulette: Seriously Melinda how could you possibly say that this is the truck drivers fault?? Did he hit this man on purpose NO- the officer was thrown off his bike into the trucks path. The truck driver did nothing wrong and I am sure he will live with this the rest of his life!! My thoughts and prayers are with both families!!!
Posted By: unknown: Why are you all debating what killed him?? I only hope that either way, his last site was not the semi coming towards him
Posted By: Wow: Seriously? I hope nothing every gets thrown into your path as you are driving down the road and you have no time to take evasive action and you get charged criminally! I know Doug, and he would never have blamed the semi driver for this tragic accident ~ I am sure he would have wished otherwise for sure! Please - lets remember the great man Doug was and pray for his family. You can't undo the chain of events that happened.
Posted By: FAMILY FRIEND: Doug was a great father,husband,friend and officer all that knew him knew how special he was this is such a tragedy for all concerned RIP doug we all love you
Posted By: bob: motorcycles suck!!!!
Posted By: Laurie: Doug was special,the pregnant lady said it best..that was Doug! He lived, he loved and he laughed thru out his life. We'll miss him so much and our lives are forever changed, but he would be the first in line to check on the semi driver, that's our Doug. Please pray for ALL invloved,this was an accident that changed many lives forever including the semi driver. He didn't just take an oath to protect and serve...Doug cared! Miss you Dougie..Luv you Alimoto!
Posted By: Melinda: I think the trucker should be doing time or lose his license. Something as a punishment. They get off way to easy. He killed someone get him off the street.
Posted By: Dee Dee: This is just tragic and heartbreaking. There are not enough words to express to the family how I feel. God bless you all and my heart and prayers are with your family. *as far as criminal charges, There shouldnt be any..It was A Tragic ACCIDENT, if the deer survived, maybe shoot the deer for what he did, but a semi can't stop on a dime. And the driver of that SEMI , although it was not his fault, has to live with this vision and memories of this accident for the rest of his life. I think that is also a tradgedy. Deer are amongst us, and weve encroached on their living quarters, just always keep your eyes open for them. When there is one, there are usually more crossing the roads. For Deerhunter, Take a chill pill, and Id hate to accidentally run into you out in the woods..sounds as if you have some hostility..
Posted By: Kelly: I'll miss you, Doug. You were a good guy and a good cop.
Posted By: Justin Johnson: My thoughts and prayers are with the Alward family! I was only 5 minutes behind the scene of the accident!
Posted By: Amanda: My heart goes out to Officer Alward's family, friends and co-workers. I can't possibly imagine what they are going thru. I only have a few memories of him as a Dewitt officer but I am sitting here crying my eyes out. I will always remember the kindness he showed me as a young pregnant woman stranded in DeWitt when my car ran out of gas. He was off duty and stopped to help me when no one else would. Who else do you know that would do that? He was truly an asset to ANY department that he that he worked for and I can only wish that many more officers would strive to be more like him. Rest In Peace Douglas Alward, you will be greatly missed.
Posted By: Linda: To the post from Charlotte. Dougie (family) had grown up with motorcycles. He learned how to ride before he could walk almost. He most likely WOULD have survived had it not been for the SEMI.
Posted By: eanne: It is so sad. The deer caused the accident, not the semi-driver. I used to live in an area where there are deer all over the place and even in my gardens. I didn't mind sharing with them, because they usually ended up in the freezer, and I knew they had been well fed on good things until season opened. I am sad for this man's family and friends. The MSF teaches you how to avoid and try to survive accidents of any kind. The other drivers on the road are not to blame at all.
Posted By: Michelle: This is just a tragedy. OUr family's thoughts and prayers are with the young officer and his family and of course the driver, who will live with this unfortunate accident.
Posted By: Julie: My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Douglas.
Posted By: Mark: Riding a motorcycle involves some inherent risks. Deerhunter's ignorant solution to "kill them all" is only surpassed by his selfish concern for his garden.
Posted By: ouija: Re: deerhunter's comments-you sound like a brutal, angry animal abuser-get a life!
Posted By: what does it matter: I see posts are being deleted, sensorship for cops only!!!!
Posted By: : He did survive the deer accident, just not the semi who hit him afterwards. God obviously was calling him home and we won't know why. Prayers to the wife and children!
Posted By: dumbfounded: criminal charges????? are u kidding!!! the deputy hit a deer causing the accident the semi driver was not out to hurt anyone. My heart goes out to everyone involved.
Posted By: Jane: Andrea, you missed the part where he not only hit the deer, he then was run over. THAT'S what killed him, not hitting the deer.
Posted By: Friend of the Fallen: Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to Doug's family and friends/co-workers. You will always be remembered in our hearts. Thanks for the memories.
Posted By: checkeredpast: The semi driver may not have been injured, but I imagine he was deeply hurt by this tragic series of events. I would hope there are no criminal charges. My thoughts are with the driver, and the young mans family.
Posted By: DeerHunter: Just another senseless death caused by the true pest in Michigan. Except this pest won't eat out the roots of your garden, this pest will eat your entire garden then walk in front of you as you are trying to drive to work. Kill them all. Whitetails that is, what a waste of a life due to concerns over obsolete parts of our foodchain. My thoughts and prayers to the family, and to the man who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Posted By: Andrea: You would think motorcycle training courses (have to pass to get cycle endorsement)would teach you how to hit a deer and survive. My brother has hit 4 and managed to survive amazingly. My thoughts and prayers to the deptuy's family and friends.
Posted By: amy: Our prayers are with the family, friends and co workers of this young officer.

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