June 27, 2001

Contact: Sarah Ray



802-443-5794

sray@middlebury.edu

Posted: June 27, 2001

MIDDLEBURY,

VT-On three Wednesday evenings - July

11, 18 and 25 - from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Middlebury College will offer

stargazing from Bicentennial Hall’s rooftop observatory, weather permitting.

These are the first nights the facility will be open to the public since

the installation of the College’s new 24-inch reflecting telescope. Several

other smaller telescopes will also be available on the roof deck for observing

the night sky. The summer observatory series is sponsored by the Middlebury

College physics department. Admission is free.

Since cloud cover obscures visibility, the open house nights will take

place only if the sky is reasonably clear. If the weather appears uncertain,

check with the observatory at 802-443-2266 after 6 p.m. on the evening

of an 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.