Contact: Sarah Ray



802-443-5794

sray@middlebury.edu

Posted: March 24, 2003

MIDDLEBURY, VT

- On Friday, April 4, from 7:30-9 p.m., the Middlebury College Physics

Department will offer stargazing from Bicentennial Hall’s rooftop

observatory, weather permitting. There is no set program; the public is

invited to come anytime during these hours. Admission is free.

The observatory dome

houses a 24-inch computer-controlled telescope, and several smaller telescopes

also will be available on the roof deck for viewing the night sky, which

will include the bright planets Saturn and Jupiter.

Since cloud cover

obscures visibility, the open house night will take place only if the

sky is reasonably clear. If the weather appears uncertain, call the observatory

at 802-443-2266 after 6 p.m. on the evening of the open house for a status

report.

Bicentennial Hall

is located on Bicentennial Way on the western edge of the Middlebury College

campus. Visitors should follow state Route 125 West from the village center

through the campus. Bicentennial Way, which is the second right after

the flashing light at the crest of the hill, leads to a parking lot and

Bicentennial Hall. Enter the building and take the elevators to the top

floor, following the signs.