City of Astronomy demonstration (Photo – cityofastronomy.com)
Residents and visitors are invited to discover why Pasadena is known as the “City of Astronomy” during a free public festival at the Pasadena Convention Center on Sunday, June 14, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
By Melanie Hooks
Presented with support from Caltech and a variety of regional science organizations, the event will feature hands-on science demonstrations, solar telescopes, and presentations designed for general audiences. Topics will include black holes, exoplanets, galaxies, and the International Space Station (ISS).
Scientists and experts from organizations including Caltech, NASA JPL, Carnegie Observatories, LIGO, IPAC, DSA, The Planetary Society, and Griffith Observatory will be on hand to share their work and engage with attendees.
Visitors can participate in interactive activities such as building a comet, making solar s’mores, exploring infrared cameras and radio telescopes, using virtual reality headsets, learning through gravitational demonstrations, and viewing live images from the ISS.
Science demonstrations and exhibit booths will remain open throughout the four-hour event, while special presentations will rotate every 30 minutes.
The festival is free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. Attendees are welcome to stay for as much or as little of the event as they choose.
The event is being held at the Pasadena Convention Center in conjunction with the American Astronomical Society’s semi-annual meeting.
City of Astronomy Week will continue with three evening Pub & Science events from Monday through Wednesday at DogHaus Biergarten in Old Pasadena. The gatherings, scheduled from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, will feature guest speakers and space-themed trivia each night.
The week will conclude on Thursday, June 18, at Villa Park Community Center with a special “Tour of the Universe” program for children ages 5 to 12. Participating organizations include the Giant Magellan Telescope, NASA’s JPL, Sky-Watchers USA, and The Planetary Society.
Additional information, including directions and a complete schedule of events, is available at cityofastronomy.org.
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