today | rules | standings | prizes | all | map

Door of the Stars
March 20, 2009

Zodiac signs are more than just idle conversation at single bars. They are the elements of a celestial coordinate system that dates back to ancient Babylonia. Wikipedia says that the word, Zodiac means, "circle of animals".

If you're looking for stars in Santa Barbara, you have your choice of buying a $50 steak at Lucky's, and hoping Oprah will come in. Or, you can pay $2 to join the Astronomy Club at the Natural History Museum on a Saturday night, and hope for a clear sky.

Stargazing at the Natural History Museum takes place on the patio outside the Palmer Observatory. The observatory itself, a small round building with cool zodiac doorknobs on the outside, is only used these days to store telescopes and stuff used by the astrologers for their regular gatherings. One of the doorknobs is shown in yesterday's March Edness picture.

At one time, the domed roof of the observatory slid to the side, allowing a clear view of the sky from inside the building. But, people soon realized that there was little difference between being in a building without a roof, and being outside. Multiple telescopes are set up on the patio for each gazing event.

The next Star Party at the Palmer Observatory is Saturday, April 16 at 7:30PM.

Science Girl was the only Edhat subscriber who identified the location of the door. She earned contestants 5 March Edness points.

* See what the Edness contestants guessed for this picture.

THIS LOCATION ON THE MAP

today's pictures | rules | standings | prizes | map | all | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

####