Roving the Red Planet - A Mars Rover Update in 3D

Join in our Mars celebration with a multimedia presentation by Dudley Director Colleen Gino. View the latest images straight from Mars on the Planetarium dome in 3D. As the only local organization to be part of the Mars Visualization Alliance, a network of 70 museums and planetariums across the country working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Dudley Observatory receives the latest "raw" images from the rover. Ms. Gino's presentation will focus on how the raw black and white images are assembled into full color panoramas, how the 3D images are created, and how you can do this yourself using images available on the Mars Exploration Rovers website.
Henry Hudson Planetarium, Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center (Directions below)
January 24, 1:30pm. This is event is free and open to the public. 

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Thanks to the 100+ people who visited us on Saturday and helped to make our event a great success!

Many thanks as well go to Channels 6, 8, 9, 10, & 13 news, the Times Union and the Gazette, for covering our event.

Go HERE to see a web version of the presentation

Telescope Observing
The Dudley Observatory and the University at Albany will hold a public observing session using the University's 16-inch telescope located on the roof of the Earth Science building near Washington Avenue (plenty of parking will be available in the State Quad parking lot). View the Moon, Mars, Saturn and other celestial delights.
University at Albany Campus Observatory (Directions below)
January 24, 7:00pm. This is event is free and open to the public. 

In the event of cloudy weather, the telescope observing will be cancelled. In its place, Colleen Gino will give a lecture presentation on the Mars Rover mission to Mars.

Reaching For The Stars: The Story of the Dudley Observatory

The Dudley Observatory is the nation's oldest independent organization supporting research and education in astronomy. It was incorporated in Albany by the New York State Legislature in 1852. Its first observatory was built in the 1850's in Arbor Hill, and possessed one of the most advanced telescopes of its time. The second observatory, built in the 1890's on South Lake Avenue in Albany, provided scientists with measurements of star positions of unprecedented accuracy, and three generations of Albany citizens with their first views of the heavens through a world class telescope. This exhibit celebrates the century-and-a-half long relationship between the Dudley Observatory and the city of Albany.

Exhibit runs January 10 through February 29 at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
Due to popular demand the exhibit will be extended through April 25

Albany's Star Search
An historical presentation by George Wise. This presentation speaks to the goals of the original Dudley Observatory as both a means of making Albany a world class center of culture and technology, and as an effort to contribute to the knowledge of the stars. Mr. Wise will attempt to answer the questions "Why an observatory?" "Why Albany" "Who was Dudley?"
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
January 11, 3:00pm. This is event is free and open to the public. 

UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY DIRECTIONS
The University at Albany is located at 1400 Washington Avenue in Albany. For general information call 442-3300. Driving directions:
From the South:  I-87 (Thruway) to Exit 24; I-90 East to Exit 2; cross Washington Avenue onto campus and turn left, you are now on University Drive.
From the West:  I-90 (Thruway) to Exit 24; I-90 East to Exit 2; cross Washington Avenue onto campus and turn left, you are now on University Drive.
From the North:  I-87 (Northway) to Exit 1; I-90 East to Exit 2; cross Washington Avenue onto campus and turn left, you are now on University Drive.
From the East:  I-90 West to Exit 2; left onto Fuller Road; left onto Washington Avenue; first right onto campus and turn left, you are now on University Drive.

A map of the surrounding area is available at the following web address:   http://www.albany.edu/about_the_university/maps/
A map of the campus is available at the following web address:   http://www.albany.edu/about_the_university/maps/upfull/uptownfull.html
The campus observatory is on top of the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences building. The State Quad parking lot (where free parking is available for the event) and the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences building are in the upper right corner of the campus map. On the evening of the event, signs will be posted around campus directing visitors to the Earth Sciences building.

ALBANY HERITAGE AREA VISITORS CENTER/ HENRY HUDSON PLANETARIUM

The Visitors Center and Henry Hudson Planetarium are located at 25 Quackenbush Square, at the intersection of Broadway and Clinton Avenue in downtown Albany - just off the I-787 ramp at the Clinton Avenue exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right onto Broadway. The Visitors Center is located to your immediate right. Parking: Pass Quackenbush Square and take the first right (just past the gas station) onto Spencer Street. Follow Spencer Street to the end and follow the signs for Visitors Center Parking. To enter the building, follow the brick pedestrian walkway to the double glass doors on the side of the building.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS
From East and West on I-90:
I-90 to I-787 South to Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right onto Broadway. The Visitors Center is located to your immediate right.
From North:
Northway (I-87) South to I-90 East to I-787 South to Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right onto Broadway. The Visitors Center is located to your immediate right.
From West/ Thruway Exit 24:
I-90 East to I-787 South to Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right onto Broadway. The Visitors Center is located to your immediate right.
From South/ Thruway Exit 23:
Take I-787 North to Exit 4 (Downtown Albany). At the bottom of the exit ramp, follow signs for the Clinton Avenue. At the bottom of the Clinton Ave. exit ramp, turn right onto Broadway. The Visitors Center is located to your immediate right.