The final open house night of the summer season at the Middlebury College Observatory, sponsored by the College Physics Department, is scheduled for Wednesday evening August 10. The observatory, located atop McCardell Bicentennial Hall, will be open to the public for viewing the heavens from 9-10:30 p.m., provided skies are clear.
The gibbous Moon will dominate the evening sky, and its mountains and craters should make for striking telescopic viewing. In addition, there will be telescopic views of double stars, star clusters, and nebulae.
The observatory dome houses a 24-inch computer-controlled telescope. In addition, several smaller telescopes will also be available on the roof deck for observing the night sky. There is no set program for the Open House; visitors are welcome at any time between 9 and 10:30.
This event is free and open to the public, but will take place only if the sky is at least mostly clear. If the weather appears uncertain, visitors may call the observatory at 802.443.2266 after 7 p.m. on the evening of the open house for a status report.