The history of academic stargazing at Middlebury stretches back to the early 1800s when the Old Chapel cupola was used as the College's first observatory. Today, the state-of-the-art facilities atop Bicentennial Hall offer many opportunities for both formal and informal instruction. Whether it’s to learn about the myriad constellations in the sky or to discover globular clusters thousands of light years away, astronomy is accessible to everybody.
In conjunction with courses in physics and other subjects, the Observatory provides valuable hands-on learning opportunities for Middlebury students engaged in the study of space science, while at stargazing events, members of the College community, local schoolchildren, and the general public can come to learn and be inspired by what can be seen in the night sky.
For student assistants at the Observatory, these varied functions provide unique opportunities to explore their interests in outreach, engagement, communication, and pedagogy in the sciences. Join them for an evening of stargazing and informal learning with the Observatory's telescopes and star charts to get your own view into the wonders of the Universe and learn how to recognize the constellations anywhere you go.
On Friday, April 20, there will be stargazing at the Observatory from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Because this event will only take place if the sky is expected to be mostly clear, please check the Observatory web site at http://go.middlebury.edu/observatory/ or call the Observatory at 443-2266 after 7:00 p.m. on the evening of the event for weather status.
