Media Invited to “Restore the Clark” Campaign Kickoff, March 13

On Wednesday, March 13th, the 24-inch Clark Telescope and Lowell’s outreach manager, Kevin Schindler, will be available to media for filming as we launch a crowdsourcing campaign to refurbish and restore this world-famous instrument.

After 117 years of service, the massive Clark Telescope needs an overhaul so it can continue to be the centerpiece of our public program for the next century. However, such an effort isn’t easy or cheap so we need your help!

On March 13th — Percival Lowell’s birthday — we will launch an official, 60-day crowdsourcing campaign on indiegogo.com to raise the $256,718.50 needed for the Clark restoration. Donors will receive Clark-related merchandise/experiences commensurate to their gift to the campaign.

Help us restore the behemoth used by Percival to study Mars, by V. M. Slipher to detect the first evidence of the expanding nature of the universe, and peered through by more than a million visitors. If you’re one of those visitors, you know about the Clark’s legendary optics and clarity, especially when it spies on the giants of our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn. Help our director of technical services and telescope guru extraordinaire Ralph Nye set the Clark up for another century of good seeing for visitors to Mars Hill!

* Images and a complete rundown of the planned restoration available upon request.

* The Clark will be open starting at 9 a.m. PDT; however, please contact Tom Vitron to set an interview time, if possible.

* Weather permitting, the dome shutters will actually be open during the day, a rarity.

Contact:

Tom Vitron
Media and Communications Coordinator, Lowell Observatory
+1 928-233-3260
tvitron@lowell.edu

More about the Clark and a link to the campaign when it begins on 3/13:
http://www.lowell.edu/visit_clark.php
http://www.lowell.edu/news/2013/02/help-us-restore-the-clark/

More information about Lowell Observatory:
http://www.lowell.edu