"Starry Night 2016" at the Florida Museum of Natural History TONIGHT!

November 4, 2016

Looking for something unique and interesting to do tonight! Well do we have an event for you!

On Friday, Nov. 4 from 6-10 p.m., a partnership of Santa Fe College Astronomy, University of Florida Astronomy, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, and the Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. will present Starry Night 2016. This annual event will be held at the Florida Museum of Natural History and will be FREE and open to the public.

The guest speaker for this year's program is Cathy Olkin, the deputy project scientist for NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, who will present "Our New View of Pluto," featuring images of Pluto's large glacier and mountains. Olkin will answer audience questions following the presentation.

"Astronomy is a science that everyone can engage with," Olkin said. "You look in the sky and see planets, stars and the Milky Way. For many, this can spur curiosity about other fields of science."

This year's event also features both James Albury and Dean Regas, co-hosts of the PBS "Star Gazers," program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary on November 4th. They will speak on what it's like to work on the show as well as play a few episodes and host a meet-and-greet with Olkin after her presentation.

"This event gives astronomers and fellow science communicators like Dean and myself an opportunity to bring the wonders of astronomy to a large audience," Albury said. This year's 'Starry Night' is special because Dean will be here with me for the 40th anniversary of the Star Gazers. It's rare to see us both in the same place at the same time (in person), so this years event should be a lot of fun.", continues Albury.

In addition to the speakers, there will be fun activities for all ages including:

• Professional astronomers to answer your questions
• Prizes such as tickets to the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium and astronomy items from NASA
• SPACE ROCKS! An exhibit in which you will be able to interact with real meteorites from space
• Astro-wall, a 3D display of the universe.
• Space art exhibit
• Telescopes will be set up outside (weather permitting) to view planets and stars
• And much more!

Food and drink vendors will be onsite.

Friday, November 4, 2014 – (6– 10 p.m.) Starry Night at the Florida Museum of Natural History

"Starry Night" is produced by the Florida Museum of Natural History, UF department of astronomy, Santa Fe College astronomy program, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium and the Alachua Astronomy Club Inc.

The program will be held regardless of weather.

For more information, contact Kika Silva Pla Planetarium coordinator James C. Albury at james.albury@sfcollege.edu or 352-395-5381, or the Florida Museum of Natural History at 352-273-2062.

Click HERE for "Starry Night" flyer.