NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., invites the public to its annual Open House on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, themed "Great Journeys," will take visitors on a "ride" through the wonders of space.

Highlights include a life-size model of Mars Science Laboratory, the NASA/JPL spacecraft currently bound for Mars; demonstrations from numerous space missions; JPL's machine shop, where robotic spacecraft parts are built; and the Microdevices Lab, where engineers and scientists use tiny technology to revolutionize space exploration.

The Earth Science Center, the most recent addition to JPL, will show 3-D videos of our home planet and JPL's Earth science missions. Upon entering, visitors will pass an Earth globe with data from NASA's Earth-orbiting satellites projected onto the sphere.

JPL Open House appeals to kids and adults, with plenty of hands-on activities and opportunities to talk with scientists and engineers. For the first time ever, JPL invites cell phone users with text message capabilities to take part in a mobile scavenger hunt.

Participants in "The Voyage" scavenger hunt can search for secret capsules hidden across JPL and unlock secret codes. (Please note that message and data rates may apply.) Scavenger hunt instructions will be available at Open House in the handout map.

JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Calif., 91109. Admission to Open House is free. Parking is also free, but is limited. To get to JPL, take the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit from the 210 Freeway in La Canada/Flintridge. All visitors should wear comfortable shoes - no buses will be provided from JPL parking lots. JPL will provide vans for mobility-challenged guests.

Vehicles entering NASA/JPL property are subject to inspection.

More information, and photos of Open House from previous years are online here.