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See the Tool of Galileo's Trade in Philly Tomorrow

After 400 years, even the most ardent patriot might want to stretch his legs. That must be why after over 400 years in Italy, Galileo's beloved telescope is on the road for the first time and staying at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute.

"Galileo, The Medici and the Age of Astronomy" opens tomorrow with help from Florence's Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza and runs all summer. For the first two months, the Franklin is running special programs on the weekends, like "World's Cheapest Space Suit," a humorous look at how NASA's sausage is made, and an "Astrolabe Cart" to teach the children about devices slightly more dated than an Apple IIGS. The visiting telescope is one of only two which remain from Galileo's personal lab, and has never left Italy before this year.

Take Amtrak and you'll be just walking distance from the Franklin when you pull into 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Tickets to the Franklin are $20.75 for adults, $19.75 for seniors and $14 for kids; find 14 other nerds and your tickets are just $14 each.

Related Stories:
· Galileo's telescope, here in Philadelphia [Philadelphia Inquirer]
· Galileo at the Franklin [FI.edu]
· Museums coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: AP]