by Elise Goitia '18

Assistant Professor of Physics Nathalie Haurberg '06 recently received a Hummel Grant from the Frederick and Ida Hummel Foundation. The $9,807 grant is being used to purchase a piece of equipment -- a spectograph -- for the astronomy component of Knox's physics program.

A spectrograph is used through a telescope to act as a light-collecting source, breaking down light in the spectrum and allowing people to view the different wavelengths that stars emit. Additionally, the spectrograph can record images.

The equipment will be used as a tool in various classes, and Haurberg hopes it also can help lead to the addition of more astronomy classes. Haurberg and her colleagues also plan on using the spectrograph to reach out to the rest of the Knox community.

"We want to have nights where we can invite other Knox (community) members to come look through a telescope," she said. "It's not very often in your life that you get to have someone that knows what they're doing set a telescope up for you, point it at something, and help you understand what you're seeing. Most people have never seen the spectrum of an object in space."

"If you actually see it happening, it's a different experience altogether."

This is not the first time Knox has received grants from the Hummel Foundation. "They've actually given money to Knox several times," Haurberg said. "It's really great that they see our projects as worthy of happening."