The new Peter van de Kamp Observatory atop the College’s Science Center was dedicated on May 1 (watch: observatory dedication). Housing a 24-inch reflecting telescope, the observatory will be used for both teaching and research. Associate Professor of Astronomy Eric Jensen (above) was on hand in January when the telescope was installed by a crane.

At the dedication, Ed Dennison ’49, an astronomer and former student of “PVDK,” remembered how the Dutch-born professor gave him “a clear picture of astronomy and the life of an astronomer.” Also attending was Sarah Lippincott Zimmerman ’42, protégé and colleague of van de Kamp for more than 30 years. Van de Kamp was also known as a talented musician whose screenings of Charlie Chaplin films with his own piano accompaniment were legendary.

The telescope was purchased with a grant from the National Science Foundation. The dome that houses it was the gift of an anonymous alumna who asked that the entire observatory be named for van de Kamp.