Summer Astronomy: Our Place in the Universe

Discover Earth’s place in the galactic neighborhood in this program for space enthusiasts of all levels of knowledge and expertise. Led by instructors Matt Ehresman and Jacob Kempinski, participants will learn how astronomers measure distances between celestial bodies such as galaxies through a discussion on stellar observation from Charles Messier to the James Webb Space Telescope. The presentation will cover equipment such as ground-based and space-based telescopes and will touch on observation techniques, including parallax and standard candles.  

Participants will use a scale model of Earth’s position relative to its closest neighbors to visualize these vast distances and evaluate the accuracy of depictions of space travel in science fiction. Weather permitting, we will spend the final portion of the program stargazing underneath the night sky. In the event of inclement weather, this program will take place entirely indoors.  

Members: $17 | Non-members: $23