UCO's Howell Hall Foucault Pendulum - Edmond, OK
Posted by: 
Max and 99
N 35° 39.296 W 097° 28.331
14S E 638301 N 3946751
A Foucault Pendulum is inside Howell Hall, the science building.
Waymark Code: WM13QQC
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 02/03/2021
Views: 5
The far east of the north side of Howell Hall is where you will find this pendulum. There is a great view of it from the stairs above, as the pendulum length is about four stories tall. According to Dr. Ron Miller from UCO, the original support cable was a surplus part from a B-52 Bomber and no longer available.
A coral colored compass rose design is at the center of the pendulum base, with a cream colored circle around the compass rose, on a brown background. N,E,S,and W are are marked on the border, with 72 lines that each represent 5°.
"The pendulum was designed into the building itself as part of Howell Hall's first major expansion which was completed around 1968. Credit for making the pendulum part of the building should go to Dr. L. Whit Marks, who worked tirelessly in the 50's and 60's to bring science to what is now UCO." "Around 2005, the pendulum system was completely updated. The original steel sphere was now supported by commercial steel cable professionally welded to the connectors. The analog electronics were replaced by a programmed microprocessor that used an infrared beam to detect when the sphere was over the center and then used a digital timer to determine when to turn the magnet back ON. The electromagnet was carefully rewound and sealed." Source: Dr. Ron Miller, UCO.
Max recalls there used to be small pins lined up on the perimeter, which would be knocked down when the ball reached it.
Access to the building is on the north side of the stairwell at the posted coordinates. This pendulum should be available to visit at least Monday thru Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday until mid afternoon, and unknown on weekends.
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