Open house night at Middlebury College observatory June 28

NOTE: The June 28 open house night has been cancelled due to the weather. The Physics Department hopes to schedule additional open house nights later in the summer, but no dates have been determined. Stay tuned …

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - On Wednesday evening, June 28, from 9-10:30 p.m., the Middlebury College Physics Department will hold its first open house night of the summer season at McCardell Bicentennial Hall’s rooftop observatory, weather permitting. There is no set program; the public is invited to come anytime during these hours. Admission is free.

According to Middlebury College Professor of Physics Frank Winkler, the highlights of the evening will be the planet Jupiter and its moons. In the early evening, Earth’s moon, Mars and Saturn will all be visible, tightly grouped near the western horizon. Later in the evening, as twilight fades, several star clusters and other objects should become visible.

The observatory dome houses a 24-inch computer-controlled telescope, and several smaller telescopes also will be available on the roof deck.

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 7 p.m. on the evening of the open house for a status report.

McCardell 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 McCardell Bicentennial Hall. Enter the building and take the elevators to the top floor, following the signs.