People visiting the popular Old Pasadena district will
become sidewalk space explorers when scientists from NASA’s Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena bring telescopes, photos and
hands-on activities to the One Colorado courtyard on five
consecutive Saturdays in February and March.

This series of events, called “Saturdays in Space,” is being
held in conjunction with The Universe, a Pasadena-based
celebration and exploration of the cosmos.

“JPL is literally bringing some of its activities onto the
streets of Pasadena, so it’s a great opportunity for the public
to talk to the scientists and see first-hand what we do here,”
said Kimberly Lievense, manager of JPL’s Public Services Office.

The One Colorado courtyard is located on Colorado Boulevard
between Fair Oaks Avenue and Delacey Street.

“Saturdays in Space” is a collaborative effort organized by
JPL, Carnegie Observatories, the Mount Wilson Institute/Mount
Wilson Observatory Association and the Telescopes in Education
Foundation.

“Saturdays in Space” will include:

– Feb. 10, 12 to 5 p.m.–Observe the Sun and Become a Planet or
Moon Safely observe the Sun through solar telescopes. Take
part in an interactive family program where children become
planets and moons. Learn about the historic Mount Wilson
Observatory.

– Feb. 17, 2 to 7 p.m.–The Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in
Real Time and Film Observe the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn through
telescopes. See historic photos of the Mount Wilson Observatory
and newer photos from the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
Watch an evening screening of the science fiction film “The
Boy From Mars,” projected on the wall of the Crate and Barrel
store.

– Feb. 24, 12 to 5 p.m.–Missions to the Sun Safely observe the
Sun through solar telescopes. Learn about current and future
space missions to study the Sun.

– March 3, 1 to 7 p.m.–Observe the Sun, Moon and Two Giant
Planets Safely observe the Sun through solar telescopes. After
dark, observe the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. Learn about the
historic Mount Wilson Observatory.

– March 10, 3 to 9 p.m.–Full Moon Rising View the full Moon
through a telescope. See historic photos of the Mount Wilson
Observatory and newer photos from the Las Campanas Observatory
in Chile.

The Universe began last September and runs through May 2001.
Through exhibits, performances, gallery talks and workshops, this
celestial exploration reflects the importance of Pasadena as a
center for the study of science and art.

The Pasadena cultural institutions actively participating in
The Universe are the California Institute of Technology; Armory
Center of the Arts; Art Center College of Design; Norton Simon
Museum; One Colorado; Pacific Asia Museum; Southwest Chamber
Music; and the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical
Gardens.

For information on space exploration and astronomical
objects, see JPL’s website at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov . More
information about Pasadena’s celebration of The Universe is
available at http://www.pasadena-universe.org .

JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of
Technology.