The Mancos Public Library celebrates the International Year of Astronomy with an Unveiling Event of new Mural-sized images from NASA's Great Observatories!MPL will take visitors on a journey to the center of our Galaxy when it unveils unprecedented mural-sized images of the Milky Way’s core as seen by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory. These giant images will be "unveiled" on November 14th beginning at 6pm in the main room of the Library. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning a telescope to the heavens. A giant 6-foot-by-3-foot image presents a unique view that showcases the Galaxy in near-infrared light observed by Hubble, infrared light observed by Spitzer, and X-ray light observed by Chandra. This combined image was carefully assembled from mosaic photo surveys of the core by each telescope. It provides the most wide-ranging view ever of our Galaxy’s mysterious hub.
The Mancos Public Library will also unveil a matched trio of Hubble, Spitzer, and Chandra images of the Milky Way’s center on a second large panel measuring 3 feet by 4 feet. Each image shows the telescope’s different wavelength view of the central region of our Galaxy that illustrates not only the unique science each observatory conducts, but also how far astronomy has come since Galileo. There will also be a "star party" the same evening with telescopes set up (weather permitting) near the Library at the Mancos High School football field for night sky viewing. The library will also have an inflatable planetarium set up in the meeting room for children and adults to go in and further their understanding of the stars and planets. There will be refreshments on hand as well. Free! Everyone is welcome. Participants should dress warm (for telescope viewing) and bring a flashlight or headlamp if possible. For more information please call the Library at 533-7600. Photo Credits: Venom82 and Bernt Rostad