Check out what's happening at the 2018 Starlight Festival!

This Memorial Day weekend, Yerkes Observatory is hosting a two-day astro-STEAM event. A full guide to this engaging event is out now!

Starlight Festival guide is out now! Free astro-STEAM event is set for May 26-27 at historic Yerkes Observatory     This Memorial Day weekend, Yerkes Observatory is celebrating the upcoming 150th anniversary of the birth of its legendary founder — George Ellery Hale — by bringing the AstronomyOutreach network's Starlight Festival to its revered grounds.     Free and open to the public, this two-day astro-STEAM event, which is co-hosted by Adler Planetarium, will educate and entertain attendees of all ages in an engaging atmosphere filled with hands-on experiences, presentations by a range of world-renowned scientists, rocketry and drone demonstrations, spectacular observing opportunities and an evening open house that will give attendees a peek inside the historic observatory. Guided tours that give a more extensive exploration of the facility will be offered throughout both days of the festival for a minimal fee.     "The Starlight Festival was created by the AstronomyOutreach network to introduce astronomy and science to the general public. Astronomy is one of the roots of science, and observational astronomy performed in a public setting allows people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to gain greater scientific literacy," said Scott Roberts, founder of the nonprofit AstronomyOutreach Network. "When people use their own eyes on a telescope, it opens their minds and hearts to exploring the universe for themselves from a perspective that is rarely experienced."     Although the true star of the event is the historic observatory, the festival will feature a diverse slate of speakers and activities that embody the exploratory spirit of Hale. The list of presenters includes Hale's own grandson Samuel D. Hale, chairman and CEO of the Mount Wilson Institute's Board of Trustees; Dr. Linda Spilker, project scientist for the epic Cassini mission to Saturn; Dr. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute; Marcia Bartusiak, an MIT professor and award-winning science writer who penned The Day We Found the Universe; Pranvera Hyseni, founder and director of Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo; and more.     Attendees will also delight in the interactive experiences that await in the STEAM zone - a unique space designed to spark curiosity through science and art. One of the highlights in this event space will by cryogenic demonstrations by "Mr. Freeze". The festival also will include an exhibit space where major manufacturers will showcase science-related gear and evening observing sessions on the lawn of the observatory that get to the heart of what astronomy is all about — the wonders of the night sky.     We invite you to peruse this guide and get a better understanding of the offerings that await and the astrophysics icon we're honoring at this year's Starlight Festival! StarLight Festival Presenters Include: Cassini Mission Project Scientist Dr. Linda Spilker will give insights into one of the most extensive exploratory missions in the history of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory by sharing what Cassini revealed about the mysteries of Saturn and its stunning ring system. Dr. Seth Shostak, who is the senior astronomer at the SETI Institute and the host of the nonprofit's weekly radio show "Big Picture Science", will discuss his experiences as a SETI researcher and the ongoing search for intelligent life in the cosmos.  Samuel Hale will give festival attendees a glimpse into the life and work of astrophysics icon George Ellery Hale from the unique perspective of a direct descendant. Born and raised in Pasadena, Calif., Samuel Hale joined the board of the Mount Wilson Institute in the late 1990s. He succeeded Nobel Laureate Charles Townes as Chair in 2006. Copyright © 2018 Explore Scientific, All rights reserved. You have purchased from us in the past Our mailing address is: Explore Scientific 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.