Space Foundation News
Discovery Center Opens One Evening per Month; Adds Super Saturday
Written by: developer
Starting Thursday, Jan. 30, the Space Foundation’s Discovery Center in Colorado Springs will remain open one evening each month, leading into a special theme Super Saturday.
Discovery Center hours on Jan. 30 will be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a special new Science On a Sphere® presentation of Water Falls that evening. The evening activities will be held between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and will also feature an exploration of satellites and a telescope project, included in the price of regular admission.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, join a celebration at the Discovery Center commemorating the birthdays of noted astronomers Galileo Galilei (born Feb. 15, 1564) and Nicolaus Copernicus (born Feb. 19, 1473). These two mathematicians and astronomers revolutionized the way humanity looked at our place in the universe.
At the Discovery Center, we’ll explore the lives of these two great scientists and the tools they used. We’ll show you how to make your own simple telescope, and share some of the wonders of the universe they helped discover.
About Science On a Sphere
The Space Foundation Discovery Center houses the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere.
Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Science On a Sphere is a unique projection system that uses special software, satellite imagery and four projectors to render images onto the global surface that provide dramatic, full-motion views of the Earth, Sun, Moon and planets in space.
The more than 360 datasets are available for viewing by the public or pre-arranged school groups, and include depictions of ocean currents and temperatures, volcanic and tectonic activity, hurricanes and tsunamis, polar ice, air traffic patterns and a wide variety of natural and man-made phenomena.
Water Falls
The Space Foundation is making special use of its Science On a Sphere® by partnering with NASA to present the short film Water Falls at the Discovery Center, beginning Jan. 30.
This 9-minute film, created by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) specifically for Science On a Sphere, details the GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) mission, which will monitor and measure precipitation around the globe.
The film introduces viewers to the water cycle, and shows how water in the atmosphere regulates climate, the global and local consequences of too much or too little rain, water’s effect on society from food production to urban sustainability and the role of water in storms and hurricanes.
Related hands-on education lessons will be presented to nearly 150 students viewing the film at the Discovery Center. The lessons will be co-conducted by Space Foundation educators, along with visiting scientists and educators from GSFC.
Water Falls will be available for public viewing at the Discovery Center every half hour during regular operating hours, included in the price of daily admission.
About the Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Space Foundation Discovery Center is the region’s only space, science and technology attraction, and is located at 4425 Arrowswest Drive in Colorado Springs, just off of Garden of the Gods Road.
The Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one evening event to be announced monthly.
Discovery Center daily admission fees are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 65+), $7 for college students with I.D., $3 for children ages 4-17. Military fees are $4.50 for adults with I.D., and $1.50 for children ages 4-17. Children age three years and younger are admitted free.
Learn about Discovery Center exhibits by visiting www.spacefoundation.org/museum.
For information about group visits, and holiday and weather closures, call 719.576.8000.
This article is part of Space Watch: January 2014 (Volume: 13, Issue: 1).