Celebrating the stars!
Festival honoring George Ellery Hale
set for May 26-27 at Yerkes Observatory
T
his Memorial Day weekend, Yerkes
Observatory is celebrating the upcoming
150th anniversary of the birth of its
legendary founder — George Ellery Hale — by
bringing the AstronomyOutreach network’s
Starlight Festival to its revered grounds.
Free and open to the public, this two-day
astro-STEAM event, which is co-hosted by
Adler Planetarium, will educate and entertain
attendees of all ages in an engaging
atmosphere filled with hands-on experiences,
presentations by a range of world-renowned scientists, rocketry and drone
demonstrations, spectacular observing opportunities and an evening open house that
will give attendees a peek inside the historic observatory. Guided tours that give a more
extensive exploration of the facility will be offered throughout both days of the festival for a
minimal fee.
“The Starlight Festival was created by the AstronomyOutreach network to introduce
astronomy and science to the general public. Astronomy is one of the roots of science, and
observational astronomy performed in a public setting allows people of all backgrounds,
ages and abilities to gain greater scientific literacy,” said Scott Roberts, founder of the
nonprofit AstronomyOutreach Network. “When people use their own eyes on a telescope,
it opens their minds and hearts to exploring the universe for themselves from a perspective
that is rarely experienced.”
Although the true star of the event is the historic observatory, the festival will feature a
diverse slate of speakers and activities that embody the exploratory spirit of Hale. The list of
presenters includes Hale’s own grandson Samuel D. Hale, chairman and CEO of the Mount
Wilson Institute’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Linda Spilker, project scientist for the epic Cassini
mission to Saturn; Dr. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute; Marcia Bartusiak,
an MIT professor and award-winning science writer who penned The Day We Found the
Universe; Pranvera Hyseni, founder and director of Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo; and
more.
Attendees will also delight in the interactive experiences that await in the STEAM zone - a
unique space designed to spark curiosity through science and art. One of the highlights
in this event space will by cryogenic demonstrations by “Mr. Freeze”. The festival also will
include an exhibit space where major manufacturers will showcase science-related gear
and evening observing sessions on the lawn of the observatory that get to the heart of what
astronomy is all about — the wonders of the night sky.
We invite you to peruse this guide and get a better understanding of the offerings that
await and the astrophysics icon we’re honoring at this year’s Starlight Festival!
S chedule
of events :
Saturday, May 26th
— Main Tent —
10 a.m. & 3 p.m. - Dr. Linda Spilker, NASA JPL: “The Secrets of Saturn”
11 a.m. & 4 p.m. - Dr. Seth Shostak, SETI: “The Search for Extraterrestrial Life”
Noon & 5 p.m. - Marcia Bartusiak, MIT: “The Day We Found the Universe”
1 p.m. & 6 p.m. - Samuel Hale, Mount Wilson Institute: “The Legacy of George Ellery Hale”
2 p.m. & 7 p.m. - Michael Bakich, Astronomy Magazine: “Star Death”
Sunday, May 27th
— Main Tent —
10 a.m. & 3 p.m. - Dr. Linda Spilker, NASA JPL: “The Secrets of Saturn”
11 a.m. & 4 p.m. - Dr. Seth Shostak, SETI: “The Search for Extraterrestrial Life”
Noon & 5 p.m. - Marcia Bartusiak, MIT: “The Day We Found the Universe”
1 p.m. & 6 p.m. - Pranvera Hyseni - Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo:
“Little Things Make a Big Difference”
2 p.m. & 7 p.m. - Michael Bakich, Astronomy Magazine: “Star Death”
Daily
— STEAM Zone —
10 a.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. — Adler Planetarium STEM Demonstrations
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. — Mr. Freeze, Fermilab: “The Wonders of Cryogenics”
Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. — Mike Reynolds, Florida State College professor of astronomy,
Presentations on meteorites and more!
— Southeast Lawn —
10:30 a.m. – noon; 12:30– 2 p.m.; 2:30– 4 p.m.; 4:30-6 p.m. -
Yerkes Education Outreach Drone Demonstrations
— West Lawn —
Noon-1p.m., 2-3 p.m., 4-5 p.m. - Woosh Rockets: Rocketry Demonstrations
— South Lawn —
6-9 p.m. - Lake Geneva Balloon Company: Hot air ballooning principles
— Main Floor of Building —
4:30-7:30 p.m. – Observatory Open House
— North Lawn —
8:30-11 p.m. – Small Telescope observing
— 90-Foot Dome —
8:30 p.m. – Midnight - Large Telescope Observing