Astronomy Events

If you know where and when to look, you’ll find planets, constellations, shooting stars, whole galaxies and more in the night skies. Join local NASA Ambassadors, the Aldrich Astronomical Society, for guided outdoor viewing that is sure to turn you into a backyard astronomer. Inside, experience the unmatched capabilities of Massachusetts’ only digital planetarium.

Stargazing Sky Watch programs start in the Alden Digital Planetarium and take place rain or shine. We plan to use telescopes, but in case of cloudy skies the entire program takes place in the planetarium. Light refreshments are served. Program is recommended for ages 7 to adult, and space is limited to 100 people.

SkyWatch 2010 season

Shields Up!

Thursday, June 17
8:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Celebrate the creation of Scutum the Shield by Polish Astronomer Hevelius, who created the constellation “Scutum Sobiescianum” to honor King John Sobieski in 1684. Viewing also includes M11, the Wild Duck Cluster, and double-double stars Alcor and Mizar. Plus, think our Sun is big? See how it stacks up against the giant star Arcturus or the super giant star in Scorpius called Antares!

Geometry in the Skies

Thursday, August 19
8:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Check out the Summer Triangle formed by Vega, Altair and the super luminous star Deneb. The planet Neptune reaches opposition in Capricorn, and mighty Jupiter appears later in the evening. Tour Sagittarius, check out the Celestial Teapot and locate our Galactic Center, which has a four million solar mass black hole. On this full summer night, you’ll also see the Ring Nebula in Lyra (M57), Albireo, a blue and gold double star in Cygnus and the dumbbell planetary nebula in Vulpecula, the sky fox.

Five Moons over Worcester

Thursday, October 14
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

View the crescent moon, along with the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. Double Stars Albireo and Gamma Andromeda should also be standouts tonight. Then it’s time for some galactic action, starting with M31 in Andromeda, an equal to the Milky Way with more than 750 billion solar masses, a double nucleus and a 140 million mass black hole! Learn about our future gravitational interaction with this massive galaxy, which has devoured scores of neighbors. And meet M33 in Triangulum, one survivor of a close call!

Tickets

$10 non-members, $8 EcoTarium and Aldrich Society members and WOO card holders, $6 children (ages 16 and under). Tickets available at 508.929.2703 or at the gate the evening of the event. Group reservations available at 508.929.2703 for groups of 20 or more at $8/person.

Name(s) of people attending:
Event Kind Tickets Total
Five Moons over Worcester Member and WOO Card Tickets at $8 each
Constituent Number:
Non-Member Tickets at $10 each
Child (ages 16 and under) at $6 each
Subtotal =
        Total =

Other space-themed events at the EcoTarium