JPL's Open House May 19, 20, 2007

This notification just went out to all the people who like to get email announcements from JPL, so I thought I'd pass it on to you. Our annual JPL Open House occurs May 19 and 20. I'll be in the Cassini Tent in person, and also a 1/4 scale model of me will be stationed next to a 1/4 scale model of the Cassini Spacecraft, so you can see two of me, possibly at the same time!

You can find me (and Cassini) near the entrance to the laboratory - I'll be there all day, both days. The large Cassini tent will be the first exhibit when you enter the west entrance to JPL on Open House days. Saturday night, May 19 is International Sidewalk Astronomy Day, too, so we'll be setting up telescopes in Monrovia that night. Check out our Old Town Astronomy website for information - we'll update the pages soon for our June trip to both the annual Death Valley and Bryce Canyon Star Parties, July and August Yosemite (at Glacier Point) star parties, and proposed trips to the Southern California desert for stargazing without city streetlights or LA lights.

Here's that announcement - stop by and say "hi"! There can be up to 15, 000 to 20,000 people at JPL open house on each day. It's best to arrive early, plan for the heat (wear a hat and sunblock), Sunday morning seems a little less crowded than Saturday. Jane

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., invites the public on a "Journey To the Planets and Beyond." The laboratory will open its doors during its annual Open House on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors will learn about JPL's exciting space missions and see robots in action. Scientists and engineers will also answer questions about the solar system, the universe and our home planet.

A giant balloon that may someday explore Venus will be on display in JPL's Spacecraft Assembly Facility, the clean room where spacecraft and instruments are built.

Visitors can see unique 3-D images from space, including stereoscopic views of the sun, and view movies highlighting current and upcoming JPL missions. At the Robo-Dome, a pair of 700-pound robots will glide in a high-tech arena under artificial stars, while the Saturn Moonwalk will display the ringed planet's vast system of unique moons.

JPL Open House will offer lots of fun activities for kids of all ages who want to learn more about science and technology. Kids can get rolled over by a mechanical Mars rover, fly in outer space and view the sun with high-powered telescopes.

Admission is free and reservations are not required. No backpacks or ice chests are allowed; visitors may bring small purses and diaper bags. Visitors, vehicles and personal belongings are subject to inspection. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, along with space souvenirs and JPL and NASA merchandise. Vendors will only accept cash. ATMs will be available.

JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive. Exit the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit in La Canada-Flintridge. Parking is available near the Oak Grove Drive main gate and on the eastern boundary of JPL, accessible from Windsor Avenue via the Arroyo Boulevard exit off the 210 Freeway. Buses and tour guides will move people between different locations around the facility. Walking is required to some locations. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones@jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm