MIDDLEBURY — As in previous years, Mittelman Observatory and the Middlebury Physics Department will again host stargazing open house nights this spring. These Observatory events are scheduled for Friday evenings, April 26 and May 3, from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Mars will be in the evening sky on these dates. A variety of interesting stars, star clusters and nebulae will also be visible through the Observatory’s telescopes. The Observatory includes a 24-inch telescope in a dome and smaller telescopes on the roof.
Mittelman Observatory is located atop McCardell Bicentennial Hall on the west side of the Middlebury College campus. To reach the Observatory, follow Route 125 west from the Middlebury village center, through campus, and down the hill. Turn right on Bicentennial Way towards the parking lot, enter the building, and take the elevator to the 7th and top floor.
Observatory open house nights are free and open to the public. However, these events will take place only if the sky is expected to be mostly clear.  Please check the Observatory web site at go.middlebury.edu/observatory/ or call the Observatory at 802-443-2266 after 7 p.m. on the evening of the event for weather status.