With NASA’s Artemis 2 mission approaching, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will host Astronomy Days on January 24 and 25. The free event is being held in partnership with the Raleigh Astronomy Club and will feature activities focused on astronomy and space science. The two-day event is open to the public and suitable for families and visitors interested in learning more about the night sky and space exploration.
On tap for the event is a veritable smorgasbord of moon-tastic activities that'll take you from zero to Neil Armstrong in no time, with a stellar program fittingly dubbed "Passport to the Moon". Guests can dive deep into the crispy details of the Artemis 2 mission, which will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby and marks humanity's first crewed trip to the moon in over fifty years, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; not to mention NC's own connection to this historic journey, hands-on activities so you can fashion your own rocket—let's see if yours would actually fly—and a chance to test-drive a rover across a simulated moonscape.
Visitors to Astronomy Days can safely observe the Sun using solar telescopes provided at the event. Interactive activities will allow attendees to learn how gravity differs across planets, such as what a person might weigh on Venus or how high they could jump on Pluto. According to Kari Wouk of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the event is designed for people of all ages to explore space science through hands-on exhibits, presentations from scientists, and appearances by special guests.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and offers free general admission. In addition to its downtown Raleigh location, the museum operates Prairie Ridge Ecostation and satellite facilities in Whiteville, Greenville, and Grifton. The museum is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which supports programs focused on arts, culture, history, and science across the state.
More information about Astronomy Days is available on the museum’s website. Questions about the event can also be directed to Kari Wouk by email.
