meet astronomers, enjoy interactive activities and see a portable planetarium show. This is a FREE, fun-filled night of astronomical proportions!
Doors open and event begins at 6 p.m. A sample list of activities are available below along with more information on the guest speakers coming soon. Let’s reach for the stars!
Food Vendors: Coming Soon!
Save the Date on FacebookDon’t forget to pick up your Passport to the Universe! Keep track of the activities you participate in and receive a prize!
*Sample schedule from 2019 below. Updated schedule coming in October 2020!
2019 Activities
These demonstrations and activities are ongoing from 6 to 10 p.m. unless noted:
Ask an Astronomer (Denny Gallery)
Want to know more about stars and the universe? Ask a professional astronomer!
Astrophotography (Denny Gallery)
See celestial images and learn how scientists conduct astrophotography with only a small telescope and camera!
Children’s Astro Activities (Discovery Zone)
Learn about space with fun, family-friendly activities and interactive games!
Comets! (Patio Area)
Create comets and learn how material from space affects the moon.
Cosmic Time Tunnel (Galleria)
Experience a journey through cosmic time and space as you travel from Earth to the outer parts of the universe.
Dinner Vendors (Patio Area)
Enjoy tasty treats and dinner under the stars.
Discover the Invisible Universe (Outside, Front Patio)
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 (Galleria)
Investigate the science and technology used to create the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias.
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium (Denny Gallery)
Visit with staff of the Santa Fe College Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, and discover how the team is “bringing the universe to our community.”
Prizes & Giveaways (Outside, Front Patio)
Return your completed “Passport to the Universe” to receive a prize.
Santa Fe College Astronomy Program (Denny Gallery)
Discover the Santa Fe College astronomy program and see objects like a portion of the Campo del Cielo, a 70-pound meteorite, as well as space shuttle tiles. Discover the oddities of rocks from space and find out how they differ from ones on Earth!
Stargazing – (Outside, Front Patio)
View celestial bodies through professional-quality telescopes with the help of astronomers from the Alachua Astronomy Club.
Starlab Planetarium Show (Thompson Gallery, every 30 minutes starting at 6 p.m.)
Enjoy the wonders of the constellations and the solar system with this fun and exciting 15-minute show!
Note: This is an inflated portable planetarium. To get inside, visitors will crawl on their hands and knees through an inflated tunnel before entering the center cavity. Visitors who dislike small spaces or dark areas may prefer to avoid this activity. Strollers are not permitted inside the Starlab.- FREE Tickets: Presentations are every 30 minutes starting at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. There are ONLY 25 tickets available for each show. Tickets will be available at a table outside in the front of the Museum at 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be handed out for the 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows at 5:45 p.m. and then tickets for the 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows will be handed out at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis until gone.
Tim Malles Space Art (Inside, 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 (Denny Gallery)
Learn about the fascinating and unusual tools astronomers use to study the universe.
Travel Through the Sun (Denny Gallery)
Explore how photons travel inside the sun and see simulations of a photon escaping the interior of the Sun.
WUFT (Galleria, 6-8 p.m.)
Learn more about science resources available to teachers, parents and students on the PBS LearningMedia site.
This event is made possible in part by the UF Department of Astronomy, Alachua Astronomy Club, Santa Fe College Astronomy Program, WUFT and Kika Silva Pla Planetarium.
Organizer
Venue
3215 Hull RoadGainesville, FL 32611
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