If you’ve ever gazed into the night sky and wondered at the magnitude of the universe, you have an opportunity for a closer look of the cosmos during Astronomy Day being held this Saturday at CU-Boulder.
Since 2002, Fiske Planetarium and Sommers-Bausch Observatory, located on the campus, have opened their doors to the public for a free Astronomy Day celebration.
During the daylong celebration of all things space related, a variety of activities will be available for youngsters and adults. Activities include tours, live talks by scientists, demonstrations, displays, Science on a Sphere explorations, and of course, star gazing with observatory telescopes during the day and night.
Since the observatory is not open to the public like the planetarium is, this is a great way to learn more about it.
The annual event allows the planetarium and the observatory to give back to the community, to increase public awareness of space and astronomy and to provide an opportunity to explore the universe, says Matt Benjamin (BS ’05, AstroPhys), education programs manager at the planetarium.
“We’re opening up everything we do at the planetarium and the observatory and letting it all loose for one day,” says Benjamin. “One day won’t explain the universe. We want to ignite a passion for exploration and wanting to know the unknown.”
Scientists from CU-Boulder and national research labs will be on hand to talk about their work and space missions, such as MAVEN, a mission to Mars; and New Horizons, which is headed to Pluto. Their talks will highlight how CU-Boulder is at the forefront of space exploration.
Activities will run the gamut from launching model rockets, to a Pink Floyd laser show of The Wall, to a feature talk on relativity by Jeffrey Bennett, author of the popular children’s book, Max Goes to the Moon.
There will be prizes given away and the chance to win a telescope.
“Stay for 10 minutes or 10 hours,” says Benjamin. “We want people to come away with a feeling of awe and wonder for the universe. That’s why we do this every year.”
Fiske Planetarium will be open from noon until 8 p.m. Sommers-Bausch Observatory, located behind the planetarium will be open from noon to 10 p.m. There is no cost for the daylong event.
