Bart J. Bok, Willson Professor of Applied Astronomy, sails today for South Africa, where he will direct observations with the new Baker-Schmidt telescope at Harvard's Boyden Station.
The new instrument will extend the effective limit of accurate observation from the present 10,000 light years to 30,000 light years. It will be employed to bring about a mapping of the Southern Milky Way and to seek evidence concerning the origin of this galaxy.
Observatory Director Harlow Shapley last week took formal possession of the new telescope from Charles W. Elmer, co founder of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation which built the instrument.
Also present at the ceremonies was John Dawson, vice-consul for Great Britain, as well as representatives of Ireland and Northern Ireland, who will jointly own the telescope.
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