Stephen F Austin State University - Stone Fort Yearbook (Nacogdoches, TX)

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An $800,000 telescope in a dome sitting in a forested area 1 1 miles north of Macogdoches represents one contrast produced by the technological times in which we are living. It is a constrast because this is no ordinary, hand-held telescope. Besides its monetary worth, this 41-inch telescope holds the distinction of being the largest telescope in the CI. S. Central time zone, . . . this is no ordinary, hand-held telescope according to Dr. Thomas O. Callaway, chairman of the Department of Physics. Only 13 other observatory sites in the United States have such a large telescope, Dr. Callaway said. Although in one sense the Cassegrain reflecting telescope is just one more scientific invention, in another sense it has an intrinsic meaning because it reveals something about the direction in which exploration of space is moving. We ' ll move to the moon. It ' s obvious. Men go wherever they can, Dr. Callaway said. Whether one accepts this statement or not, the fact is that space remains a viable frontier. Dr. Callaway said, I think by the year 2,000 we ' ll have a number of space stations that are manned. Contributing to his vision of the future is the com- puter which controls the telescope. Dr. Callaway describes the telescope as being like a giant robot with an eye directed by the computer. Observers see what the telescope sees by watching a television monitor inside the dome. We ' re involved in making scientific discoveries that will ultimately bring knowledge to mankind, Dr. Callaway said. The we includes Dr. Robert W. Gruebel, professor of physics; Dr. Norman L. Markworth, associate professor of physics; Bennette Montes, physics mechanic, and students. The observatory was built in 1975 and until September 1984 had only an 18-inch reflector telescope. This telescope is still housed in a smaller dome. Barbed wire like that in the foreground of the cover photo was once a part of a new and different America as wilderness was transformed into civilization. The telescope housed in the SFA Observatory reflects a new and different nation and world in which even the sky is no longer an invincible limit. Jeff Pownall Opposite page, top left: The sun sets behind the SFA Observatory. Bot- tom: The large dome housing the 41-inch reflector telescope. Above: Dr Callaway with the 41-inch telescope. Telescope - 7

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For years we denied that our industrial base was eroding steadily, even though it was happening right before our eyes. Our inability to see, however, and our penchant for denying even what we saw, were only natural, for the truth was too painful, too threatening. Because our industrial economy had served us so long, its demise was - for many of us - unthinkable, says John Naisbitt. While no one can predict the shape of the new world of high technology, Mr. Naisbitt, the author of Megatrends , says, The most reliable way to anticipate the future is by understanding the present. ' That a new world is coming, Mr. Naisbitt is sure. In fact he says the most important and critical megatrend or restructuring of society to come, is the movement away from an industrial economy and the movement toward an information-electronics economy. As more technology is introduced into society people will want to be with other people more. Shopping malls, for example, are now the third most frequented space in our lives, following home and the workplace, Mr. Naisbitt says. High tech high touch as a principle, he says, symbolizes the need for balance between our physical and spiritual realities. The number of universities offering some type of futures-oriented degree has increased from two in 1969 to over 45 in 1978, Mr. Naisbitt says. He lists some information occupations one can prepare for, including: programmers, teachers, c lerks, librarians, secretaries, accountants and stock brokers. Also managers, insurance people, bureaucrats, lawyers, bankers and technicians. About computers, Mr. Naisbitt says, It is important to think about the computer as a tool that manages complexity because just as surely as highways only encourage more cars, having a tool that manages complexity invites more and more complexity into society. Computer graphic by Kent McGowan Left: Trends show you the directions in which this country is moving, just as this laser swirls in many directions. Above: A high-tech look at SFA ' s Steen Hall. Megatrends - 9