Our Place in Space

Are we alone in the universe? What is our place in space? Before the moon blots out the Sun on August 21, consider cosmic questions at After Dark. Learn what it’s like to skydive from the stratosphere or land a rover on Mars. Listen to the interstellar message of Voyager’s golden record, and look through telescopes, films, and cultural history for inspiring views of our local planets and star.

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.”
―Carl Sagan, Cosmos

Leaping from the Edge of the Stratosphere
With Alan Eustace
7:00 p.m.
Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery

In 2014, Alan Eustace leapt to Earth from the edge of the stratosphere wearing only a spacesuit, shattering skydiving records and potentially revolutionizing the commercial space industry. Discover the science behind his historic dive and learn what it’s like to jump from a height of over 135,000 feet "hurtling at speeds exceeding 821 m.p.h. "to land safely on Earth below.
 

How to Solar Eclipse
With Isabel Hawkins
7:30 p.m.
Phyllis C. Wattis Webcast Studio

Are you getting excited for the “Great American Eclipse”? Join Exploratorium astronomer Isabel Hawkins to find out why eclipses happen and get a bit of history on how people have reacted to them in the past. She’ll also explain how to have the best and safest eclipse viewing experience on August 21. 

To learn more about the upcoming total solar eclipse, download our free app.

Voyager Golden Record: 40th Anniversary Edition
David Pescovitz, Frank Drake, and Timothy Ferris
8:00 p.m.
Bernard and Barbro Osher West Gallery, Kanbar Forum

In August and September 1977, NASA launched two spacecraft, Voyager 1 and 2, on a grand tour of the solar system and beyond, into the mysteries of interstellar space. Mounted to each spacecraft is a golden phonograph record, a message to introduce our civilization to extraterrestrials, perhaps billions of years from now. In honor of Voyager’s 40th anniversary, Ozma Records has released the golden record as a set of vinyl LPs so those on Earth can hear it as it was meant to be played.

Celebrate the history of Voyager’s magnificent interstellar message with Ozma Records co-founder David Pescovitz along with members of the original golden record committee, technical director Frank Drake and producer Timothy Ferris.
 

Robots Do It Better in Space
With Bobak Ferdowsi
8:30 p.m.
Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery

Launch into an overview of robotic space exploration with NASA systems engineer Bobak Ferdowsi. Find out what it’s like to land an SUV-sized rover on Mars, and how robots are changing the game for future interplanetary missions.
 

Our Place in Space
With Adam Savage
9:00 p.m.
East Gallery 

Hear the incomparable Adam Savage share thoughts on why he is so fascinated with space and space travel, and learn about some of his space-inspired builds, from meticulously recreated NASA space suits to props from Star Wars and other science fiction films

Ages 18 +