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Lunar Eclipse Launch

OAKLAND (January 16, 2000)--Scores of astronomers are expected in Oakland this Thursday evening, January 20th, for the millennium’s first total lunar eclipse. To commemorate this astronomical event, as the moon falls beneath the earth’s shadow, the Chabot Observatory and Science Center will unveil its new name, identity, and announce the new state-of-the-art 86,000 square foot Center that will open to the public Summer 2000.

The historical Chabot Observatory will be available to the public Thursday night for viewing through the Observatory’s 8-inch refractor telescope and other telescopes belonging to members of the Eastbay Astronomical Society.

The 117-year-old organization will also be announcing that the new Center has been chosen by the White House Millennium Council as an Associate Partner. Selected by President and Mrs. Clinton, Chabot met the high criteria of projects that "encourage creativity and inventiveness of the American people," and as a project to "Honor the Past-Imagine the Future."

The new $72.5 million construction project is scheduled to open this summer and will be one of the most technically advanced scientific teaching facilities in the world. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Center will feature a Challenger Learning Center™ with Mission Control and Space Station simulators, a hands-on Discovery Lab designed especially for children age 4-7, a 70 mm screen MegaSystems™ domed theater, imaginative exhibits and experiments for all ages, and a Planetarium that showcases the most technologically advanced fiber optic projector in the world.

Press is invited to view the lunar eclipse and celebrate the launch of the new Chabot name, identity, and Center on Thursday, January 20th between 6:00 p.m. and 9:22 p.m.

Great photo opportunity as dozens of astronomers' telescopes join the Observatory’s telescope to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon.

TIMETABLES: 5:30 p.m. Set-up Astronomers and public descend upon telescopes poised in anticipation. 6:03 p.m. Penumbra Moon enters the earth’s lighter outer shadow. 6:45 p.m. Chabot unveils new identity 7:01 p.m. Umbra ** Moon enters the earth’s dark shadow. 8:05 p.m. Totality Moon becomes completely immersed in umbra.

9:22 p.m. Umbra exit** Moon leaves dark shadow.

 ** Best time to watch the eclipse will be from 7:01 p.m. until 9:22 p.m. when the partial shadow phases and totality of the eclipse will be easily observable.

Date: Thursday, January 20,2000 Time: 6:03 p.m.-9:22 p.m. Location: 4917 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, California

A peek at the new facility’s rendering will occur during the unveiling of the name and identity by Chabot’s Executive Director, Michael Reynolds, Ph.D. and Director of Astronomy, Jose Olivarez at 6:45 p.m.

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