First Free Thursday, April 2, 5 - 9 p.m.
"100 Hours of Astronomy" Events Begin at Museum
Every first Thursday of the month the Museum is open for free from 5 to 9 p.m. On this night, the Museum will also celebrate the start of the international "100 Hours of Astronomy" project with telescope viewing (weather permitting) by local astronomy clubs and special education events, including a portable planetarium and presentations on space exploration.
The "100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project" is a worldwide event consisting of a wide range of public outreach activities, live science center, research observatory Webcasts and sidewalk astronomy events. One of the key goals of 100 Hours of Astronomy is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago. 100 Hours of Astronomy will take place from April 2-5 when the Moon goes from first quarter to gibbous--good phases for early evening observing. Saturn will be the other highlight of early evening observing events.
Special Museum programming of 100 Hours of Astronomy continues with a lecture by astronomer Dr. Julie Lutz at the Museum on April 4 at 2 p.m.
For more information on the "100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/
Both programs are part of series of events at The Museum of Flight celebrating International Year of Astronomy 2009. For more info on the International Year of Astronomy: http://astronomy2009.us/
