Stargaze at Tellus on National Astronomy Day

Tellus Science Museum on Saturday will celebrate National Astronomy Day.  This will be the third year in a row that Tellus has planned activities in conjunction with this nationally recognized day. 

Originally conceived in California in 1973 by Doug Berger, then president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, National Astronomy Day was meant to bring the world of astronomy closer to the average person.

Berger decided that instead of enticing people to travel long distances to visit an observatory, he would setup telescopes at busy, urban locations like street corners, shopping malls and parks, to bring the world of astronomy closer to them. The idea was a hit and soon people wanted to see what the bigger telescopes had to offer.

Beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 10 p.m., Tellus Science Museum will offer guests a host of astronomical-based activities for young and old alike. During the day, children can make their own UV bracelets. Made from a UV sensitive pigment, the beads will change to vibrant colors when exposed to the ultraviolet light rays coming from the sun. 

Other activities will include making sunspot drawings and solar viewings during the daylight hours. Once the sun sets, the stargazing will commence throughout the museum’s grounds. 

Joe Schulman, Marketing director at Tellus, said thanks to a local astronomy club, additional telescopes will be setup in several places outdoors to supplement those owned by the museum. 

“To complement the smaller scopes, our own observatory will also be open for tours and solar viewings during the day and night,” Schulman added.

When asked about it being Mother’s Day weekend, Schulman was quick to point out that with all of the activities for the whole family, this would be a great day out with moms of all generations. “It’s a great way to spend time with mom and have a lot of fun for the whole family.”

Listed by Astronomy Magazine as one of the official sites for the event, Tellus Science Museum is expecting large crowds. All the activities planned for the day are included in the price of admission (with the exception of the planetarium shows) and are free to members of the museum. 

For more information about Tellus Science Museum, visit the website or call 770-606-5700.  Schulman also suggests adding the museum's Facebook page to your favorites. He encourages all guests to post pictures of their adventures at Tellus Science Museum for all to see.

The famed astronomer, philosopher and mathematician, Galileo once said, “The Milky Way is nothing else but a mass of innumerable stars planted together in clusters.”  He also said, “I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” 

Coming out to Tellus Science Museum on National Astronomy Day, perhaps you will not only get a chance to see those innumerable stars of our own galaxy, but also discover the music of the night just might lie in the majesty of what resides in our own star-filled sky.