Holmdel’s historic Horn antenna, used by scientists in 1964 to confirm the Big Bang Theory, will be preserved if State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver) has his way.
The Horn Antenna detected cosmic microwave radiation, which delivered irrefutable evidence of the Big Bang Theory. For their work on the Antenna, Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias earned the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics; Wilson lived in Holmdel, and Penzias was from Highland Park.
“The Horn Antenna was crucial in helping us to understand how the universe began,” O’Scanlon said. “I fully support Holmdel’s effort to acquire the property where it resides and to preserve it for future generations. We cannot allow this important historic landmark to be destroyed by development.”
On Tuesday, the Holmdel Town Committee unanimously voted to acquire the property where the Horn Antenna sits; the site had already been designated a National Historic Landmark.
The resolution calls for good-faith negotiations to acquire the property from Crawford Hill Holdings. The governing body also introduced two ordinances that would secure the property for the township if negotiations fail: an ordinance that would authorize the use of eminent domain to secure the property and a bond ordinance that would authorize the use of $1.9 million to secure the property.
“I am proud to see so many local officials and town committee members stand up and make their voices known in this fight,” said O’Scanlon.
The resolution and the two ordinances will be subject to public debate and considered for final adoption on August 22.