September 19, 2001

Contact:

Sarah Ray

802-443-5794

sray@middlebury.edu

Posted: September 19, 2001

MIDDLEBURY,

VT- On three Friday evenings-Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct.

26-from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Middlebury College will again

offer stargazing from Bicentennial Hall’s rooftop

observatory, weather permitting. There is no set program;

the public is invited at any time during these hours. The

observatory dome houses a 24-inch computer-controlled

telescope, and several smaller telescopes will be available

on the roof deck for observing the night sky. The Middlebury

College physics department sponsors the ongoing observatory

series. 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 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.