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“NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM” PREMIERS ON AUGUST 27
Thank Heavens! Stargazing returns to the South Florida Science Museum’s Observatory
(West Palm Beach, Fl) Ever wonder what Mars looks like? Are craters, oceans and volcanoes on Venus like what we have on Earth? Come find out at the South Florida Science Museum’s newly reopened Observatory. Damaged in the wake of Hurricane Wilma’s wrath and tucked away for almost five years, the Observatory at the South Florida Science Museum is reopening to a starry-eyed public the last Friday of every month, premiering on August 27th for the Museum’s monthly “Nights at the Museum” from 6 to 10 pm. “Nights at the Museum” will be a regular feature at the South Florida Science Museum on the last Friday of every month.
Craters, comets and galaxies are just parts of the night sky that guests will be treated to at the spectacular viewing monthly event.
The 14 inch F-11 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical Celestron telescope sits in the Museum’s dome which opens and rotates to allow for the best views of the stars and planets. In addition to the Observatory, “Nights at the Museum” will feature other more earthly “ScienTerrific” activities including exciting electrons, shark dissections and touch tank demonstrations.
“As long as weather cooperates, our Observatory reopening will have views of the moon, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and its rings and views of brighter deep sky objects such as open and globular clusters,” noted Lew Crampton, chief executive officer for the South Florida Science Museum. “The reopening of the Observatory is sure to mesmerize and educate guests about the inner magic of the solar system through a high powered lens, unveiling a sky that remains hidden to the naked eye. We are thrilled to reopen the Observatory and will hopefully turn casual sky gazers into astronomy enthusiasts by revealing all of the wonders that lie in our spectacular solar system.”
The Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches will be on–site with additional telescopes and will be available to answer all the eager stargazers’ questions. All exhibits will also be open, including Astronaut, a full dome-planetarium movie.
The Observatory was last used in the summer of 2005 before Hurricane Wilma ripped through South Florida and the Observatory dome. The Observatory suffered water leakage during Hurricane Wilma and was sealed shut to prevent further damage. The South Florida Science Museum was able to repair the damage while still preserving the integrity of the Observatory. Recently completed repairs will offer great access to South Florida’s summertime skies.
The South Florida Science Museum provides curious minds of all ages with an entertaining and educational journey through science and technology. Located in West Palm Beach, the museum features more than 50 hands-on exhibits, a digital planetarium, freshwater and saltwater aquariums, as well as natural history exhibitions. Each year the museum welcomes more than 120,000 visitors and reaches more than 55,000 students through workshops at the museum and outreach programs to local schools. Established in 1961, the museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to exciting curiosity and furthering the understanding and appreciation of science and technology.
The South Florida Science Museum is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach. Museum members: Adults $5.00, Children 3-12, free. Non-members: Adults $10.00, Children 3-12 $6.00, Children under 3 years are free. For more information about the South Florida Science Museum and “Nights at the Museum” please call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.