The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge sponsors a variety of free programs for the public. Among these events are Observatory Nights on the third Thursday of the month, specially scheduled Kids Academy, Sci-Fi Movie Nights, and Star Parties.

These events--unless otherwise noted--are held in Phillips Auditorium (at the rear of the CfA complex near Madison Street and large parking lot), 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, about 1 mile west of Harvard Square. No reservations are necessary, but seating is limited to the auditorium's capacity.

Monthly Observatory Night Thursday, January 15, 7:30 pm: "WorldWide Telescope: Astronomy of the Future," Alyssa Goodman, CfA
Astronomy is undergoing a second revolution just as dramatic as Galileo's. No longer must astronomers spend long hours in cold domes. Computers now allow scientists and laypeople alike to access the sky from their office or home. Helping to lead this revolution is the free "WorldWide Telescope" program developed by Microsoft Research. The WWT offers a rich environment for displaying maps of the sky at any wavelength. Users can learn more about objects or processes via "research" links and interactive guided tours of the sky. Alyssa Goodman will discuss how WWT opens a new window onto the sky and brings the cosmos to the computer in a unique way. (The 2009 Winter/Spring schedule is available here.)
Watch it live

New Vistas in Astronomy Lecture Series Green Valley, Arizona Wednesday, January 28, 9:00 am: "Those Pesky Little Black Holes, Trevor Weekes
The Smithsonian Institution's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory takes pleasure in presenting its 39th year of public lectures on astronomy and astrophysics for the Southern Arizona community. The series presents recent discoveries in astronomy, local research projects, and modern methods used to explore the universe. The full schedule is available here.)

For more information, including accessibility, or to sign up for the events mailing list, call the Public Affairs Office, (617) 495-7461 or email pubaffairs@cfa. Please request sign-language interpretation at least 2 weeks before the event. Current sky information is available.

The CfA is easily reached by public transportation. From the Harvard MBTA Station (Red Line), take any bus or trackless trolley going west on Concord Avenue (Arlmont Village and Belmont Center buses, Huron Avenue trolleys) and get off at "Observatory Hill."