Join us for a fun-filled day of astronomy exploration on Saturday, October 19, 2019 for our 3rd Davidson Space Day!  This event will be filled with fun space-themed programming for all ages in a carnival-like atmosphere.  As always, the event will be free and open to the public.  Our theme for this year is “Discover the Universe.”  Please join us to take a tour of some of the most important discoveries and events in the history of astronomy.  The event will be broken into three parts:

3 – 6 pm:  Find us on Chambers lawn for an interactive astronomy fair during which you can explore various astronomy topics through numerous activities and demonstrations.  What models have been developed for our Solar System?  How do planets move in their orbits?  What are comets like?  What do we know about the lifetimes of stars?  Come learn the answers to these questions and more!  You can also walk our scale model of the Solar System, safely view the Sun through our solar telescopes, play some fun astronomy themed games, and take home some fun crafts!  In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held indoors in the Lilly Family Gallery.

7 – 8 pm:  Get off of your feet and relax for a few minutes while you enjoy a public lecture in Tyler-Tallman Hall of the Sloan Music Center.  Dr. Don Smith from Guilford College will deliver a lecture entitled “How Big is Space?  How Do We Know?”  Please find an abstract for the lecture below. The talk will be appropriate for all ages.  Rain or shine, the show will go on.

8 – 10 pm:  Following the public lecture, and after the Sun has set, wind down and join us for nighttime stargazing and guided tours of the sky through our telescopes from Chambers lawn, weather permitting.  You will be able to gaze upon celestial objects such as planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies with your own eyes and learn about the fall constellations.  Due to the nature of astronomy, the stargazing portion of the event will be canceled in the case of poor weather and/or cloudy sky conditions.  If the weather is questionable on the night of the event, either check back here or visit the ‘Davidson College Physics Department’ Facebook page to find weather and event updates.

Click here to link to the event’s webpage.