September 16, 2002

Contact: Adrianne

Tucker

802-443-5629

satucker@middlebury.edu

Posted: September 16, 2002

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.-On

three Friday evenings-Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18-from 7:30 p.m. to 9

p.m., Middlebury College will offer stargazing from Bicentennial Hall’s

rooftop observatory, weather permitting. The public is invited to come

anytime during these hours on any of the three nights. Admission is free.

The observatory dome houses

a 24-inch computer-controlled telescope, and several smaller telescopes

also will be available on the roof deck for viewing the night sky. Since

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

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

call 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.