The '$120K in 12 months" campaign for the UND Observatory in 2012 seeks to transform North Dakota's emerging astronomical capabilities into a true education and research powerhouse. Our goal is nothing less than bringing astronomy education and research to college undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and K-12 teachers and students from across North Dakota. Developing this capability will have long-term educational, financial and infrastructure impacts on North Dakota for decades to come.

In 2011, the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences funded a replacement mount for Internet Observatory #1. The result has been to bring this observatory into full operation, which is a vital step forward in our efforts. Our priorities and needs for 2012 are shown below:

• Purchase an ~$7,000 interline CCD camera for solar imaging.
• Purchase a Paramount MX German-equatorial mount for Internet Observatory #2. This is necessary to operationalize this observatory.
• Funding for a UND-provided building sign at the observatory. $5,000.
• Funding to replace the old fence surrounding the observatory.
• Build a fourth observatory -- Internet Observatory $4 -- with a 24-inch telescope. $100,000.
• Funding for a nighttime observatory operator to maximize observatory operations. ~$60,000 annually.
• Funding for a second UND Observatory Graduate Research Assistant. ~$14,000 annually.

Expanding and improving the breadth and quality of research and education projects at the UND Observatory can only happen with your help. Community support, coupled with university commitment, can continue building the astronomy enterprise in North Dakota. Join us! Contact Dr. Paul Hardersen at (701) 777-4896 or at Hardersen@space.edu for more information.

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