Celebrate a Celestial Summer at AMNH

CELEBRATE A CELESTIAL SUMMER AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Full Slate of Summer Astronomy Programs includes
Summer Solstice Celebration!, Manhattanhenge, and
Exoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth

Astronomy Live in the Hayden Planetarium: The Mighty Behemoths with TEd Williams and Brian Abbott
Tuesday, May 31
6:30 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater (Enter at 81st Street)
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors

Search out the giants of our solar system. Hydra, Cancer, Leo, Draco, and the Great Bear and striking Scorpion can now be spotted in the springtime sky. Jupiter and Saturn will also be lingering in the night sky along with some of the largest constellations of the year.

This program is supported, in part, by the Schaffner Family.

Exoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth with Marc S. Kaufman and Sara Seager
Monday, June 6
7:30 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater (Enter at 81st Street)
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors

Each day we learn more about the sheer number and surprising variety of planets orbiting distant solar systems. As our knowledge of exoplanets grows, does the likelihood of finding signs of life in the cosmos increase as well? Sara Seager, one of the nation's preeminent experts on exoplanets, will discuss this provocative line of inquiry and new discoveries with Marc Kaufman, author of Exoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth, a new book on the science and scientists of astrobiology.

Summer Solstice Celebration!
Tuesday, June 21
6-8 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater and Arthur Ross Terrace
$15 adults; $10 children; $13.50 Members, students, seniors)

Come celebrate the longest day of the year! Join astronomers Steve Beyer, Joe Rao, and TEd Williams in the Hayden Planetarium as they explain the apparent path of the Sun as the Earth travels around it throughout the year. Observe the Sun's position on the solstice today compared to its position thousands of years ago. Then, enjoy a performance on the Arthur Ross Terrace by Sinchi Kuna, who will present music and dance of the Andes celebrating the Inti-Raymi, or Festival of the Sun.

Astronomy Live in the Hayden Planetarium: Summer Stars with Joe Rao
Tuesday, June 28
6:30 pm
Hayden Planetarium, Space Theater
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors
Summer season pass, 3 for $40

Summer nights afford beautiful views of the Milky Way as it arches high across the sky. The familiar "Summer Triangle" and the brightest of the zodiacal constellations, Scorpius, the Scorpion, are clearly in view. Join Joe Rao for an exploration of the summer sky using the Zeiss Mark IX Star Projector and glimpse ringed Saturn and speedy Mercury, both of which will be in prime position for observation this summer.

Experience Manhattanhenge with Jackie Faherty
Wednesday, July 13
7 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater (Enter at 81st Street)
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors

Does the grid of New York City have any astronomical significance? As the Sun sets on July 13, it will be perfectly aligned with the avenues of Manhattan. Join Jackie Faherty, a research scientist in the Museum's Department of Astrophysics, for a viewing of this special event. The program will begin in the Hayden Planetarium with a visual explanation of Manhattanhenge. Then, view the sunset from 79th Street, where photographers will capture the phenomenon.

Astronomy Live in the Hayden Planetarium: World Astronomy with Emily Rice
Tuesday, July 26
6:30 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors
Summer season pass, 3 for $40

This presentation combines unparalleled views from the Zeiss Mark IX Star Projector and soaring flights across the Earth's surface with the Digital Universe Atlas to showcase the night sky from around the world. Led by Emily Rice, a research scientist in the Museum's Department of Astrophysics, the journey will take you from Central Park to the South Pole and back with many exciting stops along the way.

Astronomy Live in the Hayden Planetarium: Our Solar Neighborhood with Jackie Faherty
Tuesday, August 30
6:30 pm
Hayden Planetarium Space Theater
$15; $13.50 Members, students, seniors
Summer season pass, 3 for $40

Take an unparalleled 3D adventure through our local solar neighborhood with Jackie Faherty, a research scientist in the Department of Astrophysics at the Museum. Lift off from New York City into the night sky to see nearby asteroids, planets, stars, and more.

Upcoming Fall 2011 Exhibition:

Exploring Space (Working Title)
November 19, 2011-August 12, 2012

Exploring Space launches visitors into the exciting future of space exploration as it boldly speculates on humanity's next steps "out there" in our solar system and beyond. The exhibition features a full-size recreation of a lunar habitat, a model of an elevator reaching up into space, a walk-through diorama of the Martian surface, and challenging computer interactives. See authentic equipment and models of historic spacecraft from select voyages in the past. Learn about robotic missions that are currently headed deeper and deeper into our own solar system, and what they might reveal. Understand why geologists are so interested in specimens from moons and other planets and what we can learn from them. And explore some possible spectacular missions of the future: returning humans to the Moon, landing on and deflecting a potentially deadly asteroid, or traveling to Mars and perhaps even establishing colonies there. Is it possible within our lifetime? Will we discover evidence of life, past or present, on another planet? Find out what experts think the future holds for us beyond planet Earth. Gallery 3, third floor

Museum Information

Hours
The Museum is open daily, 10 am-5:45 pm.
The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Space Show Hours
Space Shows are shown Monday through Friday every half hour, 10:30 am-4:30 pm except Wednesdays (first show on Wednesday begins at 11 am). Saturday through Sunday, every half hour, 10:30 am-5 pm.

Admission
Suggested general admission, which supports the Museum's scientific and educational endeavors and includes 46 Museum halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, is $16 (adults) suggested; $12 (students/seniors) suggested; $9 (children) suggested.

The Museum offers discounted combination ticket prices that include suggested general admission plus special exhibitions, IMAX films, and Space Shows.
o Museum plus special exhibition, IMAX film, or Space Show: $24 (adults), $18 (students/seniors), $14 (children)
o Museum Supersaver, which includes the Space Show, IMAX, and all special exhibitions: $32 (adults), $24.50 (students/seniors), $20 (children)

Visitors who wish to pay less than the suggested Museum admission and also want to attend a special exhibition, IMAX film, or Space Show may do so only on-site at the Museum. To the amount they wish to pay for general admission, they should add $20 (adults), $16.50 (students/seniors), or $11 (children) for a Space Show, special exhibition, or IMAX film.

Public Information
For additional information, the public should call 212-769-5100 or visit the Museum's website, amnh.org.

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