What's On

Astronomy Nights are suitable for the whole family and all ages. Our indoor programs go ahead even if skies are cloudy. Regular admission prices apply.

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.             Telescope Viewing — See the Sun Up Close
Where: Outdoor Plaza
See the Sun, sunspots and solar flares through our safe solar telescopes, weather permitting.
 
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.             Science Activity — Drive a Mars Rover
Where: Presentation Theatre
Take a Mars rover model for a remote-controlled drive around a simulated Mars-scape, courtesy astronomer and CBC Radio "starman" Don Hladiuk.
 
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.             Science Activity — Meteorites To See and Touch
Where: Atrium
Astronomer Roland Deschesne presents his collection of real meteorites from around theworld, including some you can touch. See one of the best collections of meteorites in southern Alberta.
 
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.             Science Activity — Land a Rover by Parachute
Where: Atrium
Build a mockup rover and try to land it safely in a perilous descent from our Atrium Bridge.
 
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.             Science Demo — Curious Carbon Dioxide
Where: Atrium
Learn about the properties of CO2 – dry ice – the substance that controls the weather and climate on Mars.
 
6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.           Dome Show — Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Where: HD Digital Dome
Watch our current Dome feature and live planetarium show (45 minutes, extra ticket required).
 
7:00 p.m.                     Dome Show — What's Up in the Night Sky?
Where: HD Digital Dome
TELUS Spark astronomer Alan Dyer presents a special 45-minute live night sky show using the Digistar planetarium system, with a preview of the Perseids, a tour of the summer sky, a flight through the summer Milky Way, and previews of the Marslanding. Included with admission.
 
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.             Telescope Clinic and Astronomy Info Table
Where: Atrium
Experts from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada help you tune up your telescope for stargazing. Bring down your telescope for expert advice.
 

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.             Space Videos
Where: Atrium
Watch the latest NASA videos about Mars, the sky tonight, the Sun, and the Space Station.

FYI – The Curiosity Mars rover landing is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. Calgary time (MDT), Sunday, August 5.  To watch streaming video of NASA’s TV coverage of the event, go to the NASA TV website: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv  Coverage begins at 10 p.m. MDT.  For details about the Curiosity mission see http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/