STEAM Education & Research
The Invisible Universe: Astronomy with Light That We Can’t See
Did you know that the night sky is alive with all kinds of light that we can’t see? Radio waves, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, infrared light, microwaves, and x-rays are all used by astronomers. But wait—doesn’t the greenhouse effect absorb infrared? And doesn’t the ozone layer block ultraviolet? How can these reach us? And don’t x-rays pass through everything? How do we…
The Total Solar Eclipse of 2024
Are you ready for the Great Total Solar Eclipse of 2024? I hope so, because there won’t be another total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous United States until 2044. That’s 20 years! TOTALITY is amazing—you don’t want to miss this chance. When will it happen, and where is the best place to see it? What will we be able to see…
Uranus: The First “New” Planet
Join on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 for our Family Astronomy night focusing on Uranus. Did you know that Uranus was the first planet to be discovered by science? And that it is still the only planet to have been discovered by accident? Have you heard that Uranus is actually visible to the unaided eye? Why wasn’t it known to ancient astronomers? Are…
The Hubble Space Telescope
Throughout all of science , surely no single piece of equipment is more famous than the Hubble Space Telescope. It has produced more beautiful and amazing images than any other telescope. But do you know what makes the HST so special? Why do we need a telescope in space anyway? What can Hubble do better than other telescopes, and why? Most importantly,…
Jupiter: King of the Planets
Did you know that Jupiter’s magnetic field is the largest thing in our solar system? How do we know that? Have you heard that the most common form of matter on Jupiter has never really been seen on Earth? Why do scientists think that? Are you aware that Jupiter emits more energy than it receives? Or that there is a spacecraft currently orbiting Jupiter right now, examining…
Family Astronomy Night
Check out our Family Astronomy Night page for regular updates and event postings!
Family Astronomy Night – VIRTUAL EVENT
Join Dr. Stark on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 for an exciting presentation about the planet Jupiter! You may register now to receive the Zoom join link. More event details coming soon!
Family Astronomy Night – VIRTUAL EVENT
Join Dr. Stark on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00 PM via Zoom for an exciting presentation Mars: The Most Controversial Planet!
Family Astronomy Night – VIRTUAL EVENT
Register today! Join Dr. Stark via Zoom on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 7 PM for a presentation that will focus on Galaxies: Island Universes!
Family Astronomy Night – VIRTUAL EVENT
Black Holes: What’s Left When the Very Largest Stars Die – (Plus: Saving the Earth from Asteroids!)
What is a black hole? And who first proposed such a strange concept—an object that distorts both time and space in seemingly crazy ways? How big are black holes, and how massive? How can such strange things form? Are black holes truly black, or can we see them? Where would we look? How could one be detected? Perhaps most important—have we detected any? And just for fun: what would happen if we fell into one? Plus—have you heard that NASA is trying to move an asteroid around? And are you ready for the planets, constellations, and meteors that October has to offer? Join us by Zoom to learn more!
