Starry Night

Doors open and stargazing begins at 6 p.m.

Let’s reach for the stars!

Observe the night sky and explore the world beyond. See a portable planetarium show or view a moonscape in 3-D. Bring the whole family for a free, fun-filled night of astronomical proportions! Food vendors will be available.

Don’t forget to pick up your Passport to the Universe! Keep track of the activities you participate in. Visitors who complete their Passport may receive tickets to the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium or other prizes.

Schedule

7 p.m. The Fate of the Earth, the Solar System and the Universe. (Classrooms)

Join Greg Laughlin, a leader in the field of extrasolar planet detection from the University of California Santa Cruz, in a discussion about the far future of the universe

 

The following demonstrations and activities are ongoing from 6 to 10 p.m.

 

3-D AstroWall (presentations occur on the hour starting at 6 p.m.)

Experience the universe in 3-D! Glasses are provided.

 

Astro Activities (Discovery Room)

Learn about space with fun activities and interactive games!

 

Black Hole Hunters (Central Gallery)

Discover the mysteries of black holes.

 

Dinner Vendors (Patio Area)

Enjoy tasty treats, warm chestnuts and dinner under the stars from High Springs Orchard and Bakery.

 

Discover the Invisible Universe (Front Lawn)

Listen to radio waves emitted by the Milky Way using the Radio JOVE low frequency radio telescope. Learn how you can use this equipment to listen to radio waves from Jupiter and the Sun.

 

Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (Central Gallery)

Investigate the science and technology used to create the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias.

 

Portable Planetarium Show (presentations every 30 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m.)

Enjoy the wonders of the constellations and the solar system with this fun and exciting show!

 

Kika Silva Pla Planetarium (Central Gallery)

Visit with the staff of the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, and discover how their team is “bringing the universe to our community.”

 

PBS’s “Star Gazer” with James Albury (presentations at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.)

Watch the latest episodes of “Star Gazer” and meet its host James Albury!

 

Prizes and Giveaways (Front Entrance)

Bring back your completed Passport to the Universe to receive a prize. A pair of free tickets to the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium will be given for the first 25 completed Passports!

 

Small Satellite Design Club (Central Gallery)

Do you have a “Curiosity” for space? Want to learn more? Come visit the Small Satellite Design Club to learn about space systems and satellite design. Also, be sure to take a spin on the gyro-chair to get a hands-on learning experience on the principle of conversation of angular momentum!

 

 

Stargazing (Outside, Front Lawn)

View celestial bodies through professional quality telescopes with the help of professional and hobbyist astronomers from the University of Florida and the Alachua Astronomy Club.

 

Space Rocks and Space Shuttle Tile (Central Gallery)

Meet staff from the Santa Fe College Astronomy Program and see the Campo del Cielo, a 70-pound meteorite, as well as a Space Shuttle tile. Discover the oddities of rocks from space and find out how they differ from Earth rocks!

 

Tim Malles Space Art (Front Entrance)

See an exhibition of space-inspired art by area artist Tim Malles, who contributed brass plaques to the Gainesville Solar Walk project on Northwest Eighth Avenue.

 

Tools We Use (Central Gallery)

Learn about the fascinating and unusual tools astronomers use to study the universe. 

 

For more information call 352-273-2062.