NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility will hold an Open House on Saturday, May 19 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Several of the lab's facilities will be open to the public, and visitors will be able to see and hear about the research underway at the lab.
The event will include a number of firsts, including the first opportunity for the public to visit Jefferson Lab's newest experimental hall (Hall D), which is a cornerstone of the 12 GeV Upgrade project underway at the lab. The $310 million project, funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Science, will allow the lab to continue as a world leader in nuclear physics research. The project will provide new and enhanced research capabilities for the 1,360 scientists from 259 institutions that come to Jefferson Lab to conduct experiments or who use data from lab experiments. Ground was broken for Hall D in April 2009.
Numerous exhibits, demonstrations, tours and hands-on activities are being planned for the event and will offer opportunities for learning and fun for families and people of all ages. This year's theme "Passport to Science" will provide an interactive dimension that can be used by visitors of all ages as they travel around the lab.
Visitors will be able to see and hear about the lab's research program and its particle-acceleration capability (superconducting radiofrequency), a core capability for which there is growing interest in the U.S. and abroad. The lab's supercomputing and simulation capabilities will also be on display and the Free-Electron Laser Facility will be open.
Several local universities, museums, private companies and government agencies will present activities and information on complimentary scientific endeavors.
The Open House will be free of charge and will be held rain or shine. Free public parking for the event will be available on the Jefferson Lab campus and adjacent property. Parking lots will open at 8:30 a.m. No early arrivals admitted. No vehicles will be admitted to the parking lots after 2 p.m. All parkingwill be accessible by turning east onto Hogan Drive at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Hogan, in Newport News. This intersection has a stoplight and Newport News Police will be on hand to direct traffic.
Visitors will be able to access the lab from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and stay until 3 p.m. The event is spread out over several facilities and involves a lot of walking, taking multiple flights of concrete stairs and walking down and back up rough, inclined truck ramps. In some areas, visitors will be walking on compacted gravel or dirt surfaces instead of pavement. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and sunscreen or a brimmed hat and protective clothing. Free shuttle buses will be available to carry visitors between some of the tour stops, but marked areas may be traveled on foot. Photos and videotaping are welcome.
Vendors will be selling light refreshments. Jefferson Lab's last Open House was in May 2010.
For more information about the event call 757-269-7100 or visit the open house webpage at: https://www.jlab.org/openhouse
Jefferson Lab to Hold Open House on May 19
Explore the world-class research underway at the Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab, located in Newport News, Va., during a public Open House on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - rain or shine.
Visitors will be able to learn about nuclear physics (the tiny building blocks of matter that form the universe), superconducting materials, supercomputers, particle accelerators, lasers and much more. Exhibits, demonstrations, tours and hands-on activities will be available, providing a day of fun and learning for families and people of all ages.
Free admission and parking. Parking will be accessible by turning east onto Hogan Drive at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Hogan, in Newport News.
Visitors will be able to access the lab from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and stay until 3 p.m. The event is spread out and involves a lot of walking, stairs and inclined truck ramps. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and sunscreen or protective clothing. Free shuttle buses will be available to carry visitors between some of the tour stops.
For additional information about the event go online to: https://www.jlab.org/openhouse or call 757-269-7100