Looking up at the stars on a clear evening can be a lovely experience, but thanks to physics researcher Barry Setterfield and his wife Helen, the citizens of Grants Pass can now get a much closer look.

The couple first planned on putting an observatory in their own backyard for their own use and research. However, they soon decided that not only would the view be clearer in a different location, it would allow many people access to an extremely high quality, professional telescope. This way, those with an interest in making observations or doing their own research will be able to do so with relative ease.

Because of its location on an ideal hill, among other factors, New Hope Christian School was chosen to receive this donation. As Director of the New Hope Observatory, Barry teaches astronomy classes and often attends the star parties. The classes and star parties are both open to the public. More information on these events can be found at the school’s website: http://www.newhopechristian.net/Observatory/default.asp

According to his parents, Barry’s interest in astronomy started before he could make a complete sentence. His third word was “moon,” and as a child growing up in South Australia, he attempted to catch the moon as it rose above the fence posts of his family home. His interest in science continued, and when he wasn’t caring for family members, he was doing research. In fact, it was this research that brought Barry and his wife together in 1998, while she was working as an editor in California. Although they were across the world from each other, a professional relationship became a friendship, which later deepened into love, and on October 21, 2000 their marriage made it official.

They were first attracted to Grants Pass during a trip to Brookings, where Barry was to meet with a fellow scientist. While passing through the area, Helen talked Barry into a Hellgate Excursion here in town. They both enjoyed themselves very much, and noted that the air here is quite clear, which is great for those interested in astronomy. Barry was also happy to find the area is on a stable geologic plate, which means no earthquakes will be centered here. The small town feel and natural beauty of the area made the decision even easier. They packed up and moved to Grants Pass with an adopted son, Chris. While Chris is an adult, he suffered a serious illness as a toddler. This left him severely brain damaged and in need of 24 hour care, which Barry and Helen have chosen to provide for him as long as they are able.

When Barry isn’t caring for Chris, star gazing, or researching topics that most people cannot pronounce, he is busy helping with the rescue animals his wife brings home. Helen has always enjoyed taking care of animals, and her barn is proof of that. As of today, there are seven chickens, six horses (two of which are miniatures), three dogs, two goats, two parakeets, and one guinea pig. While she credits the book “Black Beauty” with her initial interest in rescuing animals, it was her own pain - brought on by a number of surgeries, which gave her special empathy for people and animals who are sick, injured, or just in need of a good home. She finds that the hard work, tears, and even all the manure shoveling becomes worth it when she sees a critter go from being sick and weak to strong and healthy.

Despite all of the work that goes on in their home and elsewhere, the Setterfields also have taken an interest in the children of Grants Pass. They accept science questions from kids via email, and as time permits, they post these answers on a special section of their website: http://setterfield.org/kids.html Because of it’s prominence in the news over recent months, Pluto is a hot topic among kids, so for the kids out there, here is their answer to the question “Is Pluto Still a Planet?”

“Although we all learned, when we were younger, that there were nine planets and Pluto was the furthest planet out from the sun, Pluto was so strange it probably never was a true planet the way the others are. Why does it seem strange? All the other planets go around the sun in their own sort of lop-sided circles and they never cross each other’s paths. But Pluto not only crossed paths with Neptune, the planet closest to it, but Pluto also goes around the sun at an angle. All the other planets are like peas on a plate, going round and round the center sun. They make a sort of flat shape if you look at the solar system sideways. But Pluto isn’t on the ‘plate.’ It travels around the sun going way above the plate on one side and way under it on the other. So astronomers today have decided that Pluto is really more like a large asteroid going around the sun its own way, the way a lot of other asteroids do. Some of the large asteroids even have little moons of their own going around them, the same way Pluto does.
Scientists are just like people everywhere. The more they learn, the more they have to change some of the things they were thinking at first. They have changed their minds about what Pluto is because of the things they have learned about it.”

Barry and Helen’s most recent work consists of a set of videos about Barry’s work, which are being produced by Freedom Films in Medford. The first, titled “The Christmas Star”, discusses the story behind Christmas from a scientific and historical point of view, shattering common myths and offering a tantalizing view of the events in that particular time period. The video is now available online at http://setterfield.org/
The videos currently in production are intended to introduce the public to Barry Setterfield’s work in astronomy and physics. The goal is to not only make his work in these areas understandable to the layman, but to present the implications of current research going on around the world. This two set of two DVD’s will be available by the end of this summer.

To view pictures of the New Hope Observatory, astronomy photos from the telescope, or for more information on attending astronomy classes, star parties or setting up viewing times, please visit http://www.newhopechristian.net/Observatory/default.asp

For a look into Barry’s research, the kids question page, or to order DVD’s, please visit the Setterfield’s website at: http://setterfield.org/

-Gina Locke