Open House Day at the Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility

On Sunday, 15th October 2006 from 10:00-17:00 there is a unique chance to meet the European team behind the Hubble Space Telescope – both scientists and people working in outreach and education. This opportunity is part of Open House Day at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Garching bei München, Germany.

This year's Open House Day, organised in collaboration with the other research institutes in the area, coincides with the opening of the U-Bahn line U6 to the research institutes in Garching.

There will not only be the latest news from the Hubble Space Telescope, but also plenty of information about ESO telescopes and technology. Experts are on hand to answer visitors' questions and explain the displays, together with lots of information material, free DVDs and more to take away. Make a day of it and have a look at some of the other research institutes in the area or just enjoy the big celebration marking the opening of the metro station here in Garching bei München.

The following activities are currently planned at ESO:

• A video presentation about ESO
• Short talks (on a 15 minute time schedule)
• Information about employment opportunities at ESO
• Exhibition and Video Conference with the Paranal Observatory in Chile
• Presentation of the ESO/ECF Science Archive
• Demonstration of the Astrophysical Virtual Observatory
• Image processing and quality control of VLT data
• ESA/ESO Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (ST/ECF) , the European coordination centre for the Hubble Space Telescope
• Presentation of astronomical instruments
• Information about radioastronomy
• Demonstration Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Demonstration Adaptive Optics
• Observing possibilities with amateur telescopes
• Demonstration of infrared detectors. Visitors can take away their own pictures
• Light-sensitive CCD (Charge Coupled Device) demonstration
• Exhibitions of the Volkssternwarte München and the Observatory of Königsleiten
• An exhibition with astronomical paintings
• A planetarium show for children
• Kids' Corners: Games and Fun for children
• Souvenir shop with posters, T-shirts, etc
• Coffee and soft drinks in the ESO cafeteria