University Times

This year's Allegheny Observatory open house is Oct. 28, 7-10 p.m. The observatory is located in Riverview Park, four miles north of Downtown Pittsburgh.

The open house is the only night of the year that visitors are allowed to use the observatory's 30-inch Thaw Refractor, the third largest refractor telescope in the United States. Visitors also will be able to use the 13-inch Fitz-Clark telescope, as well as a dozen smaller telescopes set up on the observatory lawn by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. The open house includes a slide presentation and a self-guided tour.

Reservations are required and can be made at 412/321-2400. The deadline for reservations is Oct. 12.