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.