UA science departments are continuing to join in the efforts of building a 30-inch research-grade telescope atop Tucson High Magnet School.

The Optical Sciences Department has signed on to facilitate building the one-fifth-scale prototype of the telescope, which is the "proof of concept," for the project, said Patrick Woida, research specialist at Steward Observatory and director of the project.

"The prototype will prove that the concept is viable and the students can do the work," he said.

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory is considering becoming involved as well, through a donation of glass for the 30-inch mirror. However, LPL's involvement has not been finalized, said Mike Williams, senior engineer at LPL.

Marty Valente, staff engineer at Optical Sciences, said Tucson High students are already working in his lab and "they're pretty much self-sufficient."

The combined value of using Optical Sciences' labs and the assistance from staff members is about $15,000, Valente said. The prototype should be done by March.

The telescope project took off earlier this semester when Woida got involved and proposed a joint effort with the University of Arizona.

Buddy Powell, associate director of Steward Observatory, saw the project as an excellent outreach opportunity and "wanted to make sure the students would be successful with the telescope." He took the idea to Michael Cusanovich, vice president for research and graduate studies, who approved the UA's involvement.

Official UA participation began in mid-October with the donation of 100 pounds of glass for the 30-inch mirror, use of Steward Observatory Mirror Lab facilities and personnel and 300 hours of Woida's time.

Tucson High has had a telescope dome since 1992 but "the problem has been getting someone to build a telescope," said Katheryn Johnson, Tucson High astronomy teacher.

Last year, that problem was solved when Rigel Woida, Patrick's son, enrolled at Tucson High and began learning the art of telescope making at a local optics firm, Astronomically Xenogenic Enterprises. Rigel Woida led the campaign at Tucson High to get the telescope project in motion.

UA and AXE collaboration has ensured the 30-inch telescope will be completed by May, after which, the second phase of the project will begin - connecting the telescope to remote controls, making it accessible to all Tucson-area high schools as well as astronomers worldwide.

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