The San Bernardino County Museum

National Astronomy Day at the County Museum

There will be planets by day and planets by night as the San Bernardino County Museum's Education Division and the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers celebrate National Astronomy Day on Saturday, April 16.

James Butts, Solar System Ambassador from NASA/JPL, will present an overview of the ongoing missions on Mars and Saturn at 2:00 p.m. in the museum's Fisk Gallery. The program will include incredible imagery received from these far-off worlds over the past year. His talk is free with museum admission.

In the evening, the public is invited to a meeting of the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers with guest speaker Gary Peterson. Peterson, the "Independent Planetologist" from San Diego State University, will give an illustrated talk called "The Great Martian Climate Change." After the meeting and lecture, which are scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the astronomers will set up their telescopes to share views of the first quarter moon, Saturn, and Jupiter. The evening lecture and sky viewing are presented at no charge.

The San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers are an affiliate group of the San Bernardino County Museum, working with the museum to present specialized programs for adults, families, and children.

"Last month, at our evening Saturn viewing, more than 100 people joined us to look through telescopes at the night sky," said Curator of Education Jolene Redvale. "We are very excited about Astronomy Day - and Astronomy Evening. Astronomy is a science that every age can engage in, just by looking up into the night sky. The added opportunity to hear from astronomers involved in cutting-edge space exploration and the chance to see what they are discussing through powerful telescopes is a perfect way to celebrate National Astronomy Day. The Valley Amateur Astronomers will be certain to have lots of 'scopes available so everyone can participate."

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. General admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior) and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under 5 and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free, and the facility is handicapped-accessible. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.