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.