Astronomy on Tap (Photo – Sharon Hawley)
The twice-yearly City of Astronomy Festival is entering its final stretch, with three days and three events remaining that continue offering free, public space-themed programming designed to highlight the many astronomy-related organizations in the area.
By Melanie Hooks
The remaining schedule includes two evenings of Astronomy on Tap at Old Pasadena’s Dog Haus Biergarten, followed by a family-focused closing program, Tour of the Universe, hosted at Villa Park Community Center.
Astronomy on Tap Nights
Designed as informal, accessible science gatherings, Astronomy on Tap brings professional astronomy research into a social setting. Each event features two 20-minute talks, pub trivia, telescope viewing, and opportunities for direct conversation with scientists, alongside live music and a bar setting.
Tuesday, June 16
Astronomy on Tap
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Location
Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena
Speakers include Esra Bulbul, Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, presenting “Exploring the X-ray Universe with eROSITA,” and Tom Rice, Professor of Astronomy and Research Professor of Physics at George Washington University, presenting “What We Talk About When We Talk About Aliens.”
Wednesday, June 17
Astronomy on Tap
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Location
Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena
Featured speakers are Kyle Kremer, Professor of Astronomy at UC San Diego, presenting “Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and White Dwarfs in Globular Clusters,” and Floor Broekgaarden, Professor of Astronomy at UC San Diego, presenting “Gravitational-Wave Paleontology: Black Holes as Cosmic Fossils.”
Thursday Tour of the Universe
The festival concludes Thursday, June 18, with Tour of the Universe, a free, family-friendly event designed for children ages 5–12.
Hosted by Carnegie Observatories in collaboration with the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, the program features interactive stations where children can explore space through hands-on activities supported by partners including Giant Magellan Telescope, NASA’s JPL, Sky-Watchers USA, and The Planetary Society.
The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Villa Park Community Center , 363 East Villa St., Pasadena, and requires no reservations. A free telescope will also be given away as part of the program.
Additional information, including directions and the full schedule of events, is available at cityofastronomy.org.
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