LIGO Hanford welcomed guests from Sunnyside and Pasco for Dia Familiar para la Ciencia, Family Science Day, on the afternoon of December 1. Several inches of November snow remained on the ground; heavy coats, gloves, scarves and boots were seen in abundance as visitors made their way between LIGO's buildings for various activities. Bilingual support made the day accessible in Spanish and English. The agenda included a viewing of Einstein's Messengers with Spanish interpretation, a tour of the Observatory, hands-on time on LIGO's exhibits, a sampling of fun physics demonstrations and some telescope time courtesy of the Tri-City Astronomy Club. The group found a bit of time for lunch in the midst of the busy schedule.

Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA partnered on the event as part of MESA'a "Accesso la Ciencia" program. WSU GEAR UP contributed to publicity for the event and provided a headphone receiver system for interpretation of Einstein's Messengers. Pasco families who attended the activity are affiliated with the Pasco School District's Parent Education Program. Interpretation services were provided by Lourdes Melo (above left, near LHO Head Fred Raab) and LIGO's interns from Columbia Basin College, Guillermo Rodriguez (above right) and Antonio Trevino.

The Tri-City Astronomy Club frequently contributes to LIGO's public events. TCAC members Wayne Henrickson and Thom Ahl brought sun-safe telescopes on December 1, hoping to offer solar astronomy as part of the menu. When winter cloud cover deleted this possibility, Thom and Wayne re-pointed their equipment to terrestrial targets. One young sharp-eyed guest, while looking through a scope, exclaimed "They're moving!" and found that he was observing a small herd of elk on the foot of Rattlesnake Mountain. Not all of LIGO's surprises lie in the realm of astrophysics!