Founded in 1973, Astronomy Day is an international celebration of stargazing and space science. The Academy will observe the event on Saturday, May 10, 2014 with a day of activities, crafts, presentations, planetarium shows, and telescopic observations. Set mostly in the Piazza, programming will include displays by the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Robert Ferguson Observatory, Stanford University's Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, and SETI@Home from UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. In addition to astronomy based crafts, Academy docents will present astronomy-themed activities, Public Programs Specialist Sonia Wierzba will conduct a midday chat with a NASA scientist, the Academy's TASC Force will present a "Cosmic Quiz Show," Planetarium Presenter Jeff Schwartz will guide visitors in "Visualizing Mars" in the Naturalist Center, Planetarium Presenter Jacqueline Benitez will host a "Telescope Talk" at the Project Lab,and a selection of meteorites from the Academy's collections will be displayed. In the Morrison Planetarium's inflatable planetarium, visitors can learn about the night sky and find out what will be visible after sunset. Additionally, weather-permitting on the Living Roof, Academy docents and members of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers will safely observe the Sun, the Moon, and maybe even the planet Venus through telescopes! Make it a day of cosmic discovery for all ages from 9:30am to 5:00pm!
