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gshIn celebration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of the telescope, the International
Astronomical Union and UNESCO have declared 2009 to be the International Year of
Astronomy (IYA 2009). As part of a world-wide celebration of this event, the U.S. Naval
Observatory (USNO) will be sponsoring a free-admission Open House on Saturday, 4 April,
from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. During that time the Observatory's telescopes will be open for
inspection, scientists will explain the mission of USNO’s Master Clock, exhibits will display the
Observatory's history and present work, and local amateur astronomers will share views through
their telescopes.
The open house will coincide with world-wide activities promoted by the IYA, specifically the “100
Hours of Astronomy” activities taking place around the globe from April 2 through April 5. The
main goal of this effort is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to look through a
good-quality astronomical telescope. To this end, USNO’s open house should provide many
opportunities for patrons to do so. In addition to safe observation of the Sun during the afternoon,
the evening hours will feature a multitude of amateur telescopes that will be trained on the Moon,
Saturn, plus a host of other interesting celestial sights.
While a limited number of parking spaces will be available on the grounds, visitors are encouraged to
park across from the British and New Zealand Embassies on Observatory Circle. Visitors are also
encouraged to use public transportation where the Observatory is served by the N2, N4, and N6
Metrobus routes from the DuPont Circle Metro station. Users of public transportation should exit
the bus by the British Embassy and walk to the gate at the end of Observatory Circle. Visitors will
pass through a security screening process upon gaining access to the grounds. Bags and other
personal items will be subject to search. Coolers and large bags or containers will not be
allowed on the base. Cameras and photographs are permitted.
Once on the grounds, visitors may tour the historic Building 1, home of the Observatory's worldrenowned
James M. Gilliss Library, and its 115 year-old 12-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope,
which will be set up for safe viewing of the Sun, weather permitting. The 26-inch "Great
Equatorial" telescope, famous for its discovery of the moons of Mars in 1877 and still in use on
every clear night, will also be open for inspection.
Astronomical Union and UNESCO have declared 2009 to be the International Year of
Astronomy (IYA 2009). As part of a world-wide celebration of this event, the U.S. Naval
Observatory (USNO) will be sponsoring a free-admission Open House on Saturday, 4 April,
from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. During that time the Observatory's telescopes will be open for
inspection, scientists will explain the mission of USNO’s Master Clock, exhibits will display the
Observatory's history and present work, and local amateur astronomers will share views through
their telescopes.
The open house will coincide with world-wide activities promoted by the IYA, specifically the “100
Hours of Astronomy” activities taking place around the globe from April 2 through April 5. The
main goal of this effort is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to look through a
good-quality astronomical telescope. To this end, USNO’s open house should provide many
opportunities for patrons to do so. In addition to safe observation of the Sun during the afternoon,
the evening hours will feature a multitude of amateur telescopes that will be trained on the Moon,
Saturn, plus a host of other interesting celestial sights.
While a limited number of parking spaces will be available on the grounds, visitors are encouraged to
park across from the British and New Zealand Embassies on Observatory Circle. Visitors are also
encouraged to use public transportation where the Observatory is served by the N2, N4, and N6
Metrobus routes from the DuPont Circle Metro station. Users of public transportation should exit
the bus by the British Embassy and walk to the gate at the end of Observatory Circle. Visitors will
pass through a security screening process upon gaining access to the grounds. Bags and other
personal items will be subject to search. Coolers and large bags or containers will not be
allowed on the base. Cameras and photographs are permitted.
Once on the grounds, visitors may tour the historic Building 1, home of the Observatory's worldrenowned
James M. Gilliss Library, and its 115 year-old 12-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope,
which will be set up for safe viewing of the Sun, weather permitting. The 26-inch "Great
Equatorial" telescope, famous for its discovery of the moons of Mars in 1877 and still in use on
every clear night, will also be open for inspection.
