Astronomy Day: Stargazing into the Future
Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Children 12 and under are free with paid adult admission)
This Saturday program, sponsored by WPBT2, will allow all Museum visitors, younger and older, to appreciate astronomy and the past and future of the Museum.
James C. Albury, co-host of WPBT2’s “Star Gazers” and coordinator of the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla. (and who began his career as a teenager at the Museum), will present a “Best of” compilation of “Star Gazers” episodes inside the Museum’s Theatre throughout the day.
Those visitors who remember Jack Horkheimer, former director of the Museum’s Planetarium and creator of WPBT2’s “Star Gazers,” will be especially interested in attending showings in the Planetarium of Horkheimer’s original “Helios” program, during which they will see the Museum and Planetarium as they were in the beginning.
The whole Museum will stay open late for family programming, including evening sky viewing, laser shows and stargazing at the Museum’s rooftop Weintraub Observatory.
The day’s activities also include:
Enjoy a space-themed performance from a Frost School of Music musical ensemble.
Record your #FrostScienceMemories for the Museum’s time capsule.
Travel back in time in the Planetarium, listening to the classic “Helios” show recording narrated by the Museum’s Jack Horkheimer.
Meet James C. Albury, star of WPBT2’s “Star Gazers” show, and learn about what you can see in the night sky.
Remotely operate real NASA telescopes and take your own images of the universe.
Look through solar telescopes with Southern Cross Astronomical Society to see what the sun really looks like.
Help build a “spaceship” out of recyclable materials, and plan where you’re going, and how you’ll get there with the help of local artist Kerry Phillips, along with Museum scientists.
Become an avatar and explore a virtual world, and travel to extrasolar planets throughout our galaxy at the Museum’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center.
Launch your own rockets outside on the Museum lawn.
Cook a comet and investigate alien goo.
Investigate patterns of glowing light to see what starlight is made of.
The Miami big screen premiere of “SPACE RACERS™.” SPACE RACERS is the new animated preschool television program that follows young spaceship cadets as they soar through the solar system, learning about the power of scientific investigation and observation, the wonders of space exploration, and the importance of working together as a team. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how each animated character was brought to life, hear how NASA scientists and astronauts assisted in the development of the series, plus enjoy episodes of “SPACE RACERS” in both English and Spanish.
Delicious fare available from Cheeseburger Baby food truck.
“Astronomy has always been an important part of our Museum, from admiring the planets in the Observatory, to exploring the secrets and wonders of the universe in our much-loved Planetarium and through our programming,” said Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science President & CEO Gillian Thomas. “At the start of this final year at our current site, we are expanding the range of events and activities to celebrate Astronomy Day, cherishing our history while also providing new opportunities as we move towards our new home in Museum Park.”
For more information, please visit www.miamisci.org.