March 17, 1997

COME SEE PLANET MARS AND COMET HALE-BOPP

Spring is in the air, believe it or not, and the
Middlebury College Physics Department will hold two open house
nights at the College Observatory.

The planet Mars and comet Hale-Bopp will be highlights
of the evening. The Observatory has a 16-inch computer-controlled
telescope equipped with an electronic camera that can detect objects
far fainter than can be seen with the human eye. In addition,
several smaller telescopes will be available for observing the
night sky.

The Observatory will be open to the public for viewing
of the heavens on Friday evening, March 28, from 7:30 p.m. until
9:00 p.m., and on Friday, April 11, from 8:30 p.m. until 10:00
p.m., weather permitting. The Observatory is located on the roof
of the Science Center, located on the Middlebury College campus
at the intersection of College Street and Storrs Avenue. Access
to the Observatory is via the stairwell at the north end of the
building. Follow the signs.

These events are open to the public and there is
no charge. The open houses will take place provided that sky is
more than half clear. If the weather appears uncertain, visitors
may call Campus Security at 443-5911, in the early evening of
the open house. After 7:00 p.m. on March 28, or 8:00 p.m. on April
11, confirmation of the event is best obtained by a call to the
observatory dome, 443-2266. This is most certain to be answered
if the open house is occurring.