Curious about the James Webb Space Telescope? Want to know what to look for in the sky on your own this month? Educator Dave McDonald has you covered in his latest episode of ‘The Sky This Month’! Check out the recording here.

And you can get more info on the Webb Telescope plus take part in some fun telescope activities at our James Webb Space Telescope Launch Party on October 23rd at 1:30 pm! NASA may have pushed back the launch a bit, but we are still celebrating the approach of this new mission to see farther into space- join us for an afternoon of space fun!

Wondering about some of the best chances to see Pluto in quite some time? Curious to hear about what’s great viewing in the summer? Look no further- our own Dave McDonald’s show will reveal all! View the latest episode here

Curious about the annular eclipse? Wondering what else to watch for this month? Educator Dave McDonald has you covered with his latest episode of ‘The Sky This Month’! Check out the video here!

Want to know what to look for in the sky right now? Wondering what big astronomical events are in the future? Curious about Perseverance? Our own Dave McDonald has you covered with his monthly show!

Before light pollution hid many of the stars and other objects, the night sky inspired people to wonder and dream, create art and stories, and also helped them travel across the globe. For astronomers, enthusiasts, and casual viewers of the night sky, the stars continue to inspire people to dream big and stay curious. Without a dark night sky, we wouldn't have works of art like Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, sent missions into space, or even have the Discovery Center. Thankfully, humankind has had a long relationship with the stars and has used them to travel, express themselves, and tell their stories. What do you love most about spending time under the night sky?

For thousands of years, people from every part of the world have been studying the stars. Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians to notable astronomers like Galileo and Carl Sagan have looked to the stars to try and understand our place in the universe and how it all works. As the world’s oldest science, astronomy has captivated the minds of many. The hundreds of objects that have been seen in the night sky since ancient times, like planets, stars, and galaxies, have given people the foundation to research and learn. Today’s Astronomers would not know as much as they do without the study of these objects. But with light pollution increasing at a rate twice as fast as the world’s population, dimmer objects are vanishing from our view and studying astronomy, as an amateur or professional, is getting harder.

Sitting up in the International Space Station, astronauts get to look out over the Earth to find a dazzling view of towns and cities twinkling in the night. Images, like this one from NASA, showcase the towns and cities where people live. This image and others like it look beautiful, but they are actually a result of light pollution. All of the light that is shines toward the sky from billboards, security lighting, and other sources not only creates skyglow, but also wastes billions of dollars in energy every year.

Happy first day of our International Dark Sky Week virtual celebration! The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is using this week to bring awareness to light pollution and the various effects that it has on humans and the natural world. Each day of this week we will be uploading a new blog post with different activities, story times, or infographics that explore a different aspect of light pollution. Some of the topics we will be covering include impact on natural ecosystems, health and safety, and astronomical research. Join us on social media and on our website all week long to learn more about light pollution and ways that we can all help to make a difference.

From stars and meteor showers to fireflies and owls, the night is full of awe-inspiring sights. Depending on where you live though, enjoying these sights can be hard due to light pollution. Follow along April 5 - 12 as we virtually celebrate International Dark Sky Week with videos, blog posts, and activities you can do at home. Each day we will be exploring a different aspect of light pollution and how we can all make a difference to protect the night.

We’re excited to announce our topic and speaker for October’s Virtual Super Stellar Friday! On October 2 at 7:00 PM, Dave McDonald, M.Ed will be giving you a window into the night sky. Join us for Understanding the Night Sky and learn about patterns in the sky, how to find planets, and how stars are described.

The summer triangle is not a constellation, but an celestial asterism made up of three bright stars, Vega, Danube and Altair. They appear during late spring, but are the most visible in the sky for the summer months.

Today, we continue our Vacation Week theme of “deserted island” with a story about navigation and wayfinding. Join one of our museum educators as she reads the Scholastic children’s book The Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley, with illustrations by Molly Coxe!

Join one of our museum educators as she reads the children’s book There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin, with illustrations by Amie Ziner!

Hone your hands-on science skills by recording astronomical data from home

Need an enriching activity for the whole family? This ongoing project can be completed as a group! Build skills in observation, astronomical understanding, writing, sketching/fine motor skills, and more by creating a Night Sky Journal of observational fieldnotes.

Can be modified to incorporate various age/grade/skill levels.