Date: March 29, 2009 From: The Washington Post |
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Rare Event:
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The U.S. Naval Observatory will hold a rare open house
Saturday as part of a celebration of the International Year of Astronomy
marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first examination of the
heavens with a telescope.
The free open house, at 3450 Massachusetts Ave. NW from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., is the Washington area keystone of four days of events called "100 Hours of Astronomy." It will be the first time since 2001 that the observatory has opened its doors fully to the public. Visitors can see the famous -- and still used -- 26-inch "Great Equatorial" telescope and the 115-year-old, 12-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope. They will learn the exact time from the country's Master Clock, which helps keep accurate everything from watches to Global Positioning Systems. After dark, telescopes will be trained on the moon, Saturn and other celestial sights. Parking will be limited; visitors should use the lot across from the British and New Zealand embassies. The N2, N4 and N6 Metrobus routes serve the Dupont Circle Metro station and pass the observatory. Riders should alight at the British Embassy and walk to the observatory gate. Coolers and large bags are not allowed. Cameras will be permitted. For information: Open
House on April 4 |
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