MIDDLEBURY — The Physics Department at Middlebury College will host a viewing of the upcoming total lunar eclipse at the college observatory on Sunday evening, Sept. 27, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. The observatory, atop McCardell Bicentennial Hall, will be open to the public for viewing the moon provided the skies are mostly clear.
Viewing of the lunar eclipse will happen from the roof deck with smaller telescopes as well as with the unaided eye. Organizers note that for this event, the larger computer-controlled 24-inch telescope in the observatory dome will not be available, as the moon is best appreciated with the larger field of view of a smaller telescope or without any telescope at all. The larger telescope is scheduled to be available for stargazing during a subsequent public open house night this fall.
McCardell Bicentennial Hall is located on the western edge of the college campus. Follow state Route 125 west from the Middlebury village center, through the campus. Approximately 0.1 mile past the crest of the hill, turn right at the base of the hill onto Bicentennial Way, which leads to the parking lot. Enter the building and take the elevators to the top (seventh) floor.
This eclipse viewing at the observatory 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 get a status report by calling the observatory at 443-2266 or visiting the observatory website, http://sites.middlebury.edu/observatory, after 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the eclipse viewing,