Pitt's Allegheny Observatory Open House Set for Sept. 28

PITTSBURGH-Explore the heavens and a historic scientific landmark during the Sept. 28 open house at the University of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory. Visitors can freely roam the observatory and peer into the night sky through the 30-inch Thaw Refractor telescope-a 47-foot telescope normally reserved for research. In addition, members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will setup telescopes on the observatory lawn for the public. If the night is clear, guests can catch a close up of Jupiter and the Moon.

As one of the world's major centers for astronomical research, the observatory houses among the oldest and largest collections of photographic plates of star fields-the collection began in 1914 and now boasts more than 110,000 images. Unlike regular observatory tours, the open house event allows people to browse through these plates and take self-guided tours of the observatory's different research rooms.

The open house is from 7 to 10 p.m. The observatory is at 159 Riverview Ave., in Riverview Park. The event is free, but reservations are required and limited to six people per group. To make reservations, call the observatory at 412-321-2400 between 1 and 5 p.m. For more information, visit the observatory's Web site at www.pitt.edu/~aobsvtry.

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9/7/07/tmw