Astronomy Night - Science of Sci Fi
Explore space and how science and science fiction interact with hands-on activities led by museum educators and community partners.
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 5:00-9:00 pm
Cost: Included with admission — all museum discounts including senior, veteran, and Museums for All (FREE with WIC/SNAP/EBT) are valid. Members get in free.
Parking: Free in the main lot outside Morrill Hall
Some of this year's event activities:
The Science in Science Fiction and the Science Fiction in Science TIMES: 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm | Dr. Arden Eli Hill’s presentation “The Science in Science Fiction and the Science Fiction in Science” looks at the way reality and imagination have been working hand in hand for hundreds of years to create some of the TV shows' and books' technology that blows our minds and some of the real-world devices that surround our daily lives. Submarines, cell phones, bionic limbs, and more have a relationship in the world of reality and the world of the imagination. Sometimes science fiction inspires science, and sometimes science inspires science fiction. Sometimes it’s a little bit of both back and forth through generations of innovation and visualization. If you love to imagine, create, and learn, this presentation has neat facts you can use to impress your teachers and friends in the science lab, the English classroom, or anywhere your flying car (oops, maybe not quite yet) can take you! |
| Rocket Propulsion UNL Engineering Ambassadors | Create your own rocket and see if your rocket is the one which travels the furthest. |
| Computers of Science Fiction Raikes School of Computer Science and Management | Computers are prevalent in science fiction and have influenced literature and entertainment since their creation. We're excited to share recent computing games and knowledge with you! |
| Wild and Strange Exoplanets UNL Physics and Astronomy Department | Explore the exciting exoplanets discovered by NASA's Exoplanet Travel Bureau, and the history of where all the exoplanets have been discovered. We'll have fun coloring sheets, videos, and informative displays. |
| Physics and Telescopes Omaha Astronomical Society | Join us for some fun, hands-on physics demonstrations, amateur astronomy information, and explore how telescopes work. |
| Exploring the Small NCMN/EQUATE | Explore the world of quantum science and nanotechnology with some fun activities. |
| Tanabata Prairie Astronomy Club | Learn more about Tanabata, the Summer Triangle constellation including Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), two "star-crossed lovers" separated by the Milky Way (Amanogawa). |
| Rules In Space: Space Law for the Final Frontier University of Nebraska Space, Cyber, and National Security Law Program | Explore the surprising idea that outer space—though vast and largely unexplored—is still governed by rules. The booth features a trivia game about laws, rules, and issues from science fiction and from real-world space law. We'll also ask visitors for their thoughts on what rules should exist, collecting sticky notes of their ideas. |
| Engineer Your Cell Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Student Association | Create your superpowered biology bracelet |
Special Planetarium Show: Planets of Fact and Fiction
Explore worlds of fact to investigate worlds of fiction. Experience the galaxy according to Dune. Could Arrakis hold answers to the future of Earth? Earth’s past can help us understand snowball planets like Hoth. Join us for a journey through our solar system of science facts and adventures through solar systems of science fiction.
Showtimes: 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm
Tickets: Tickets are required and can be acquired at the museum front desk or in the Discovery Gift Shop. Stargazer members receive free admission for this show, but must get their "free ticket" in advance as well.
Community Access Program
UNSM is supporting the Lincoln Little Free Pantries as part of the Astronomy Night CAP Collection Drive.
Lincoln's Little Free Pantries are a collection of independent, small pantries operated by volunteers across the Lincoln community providing food and essential items to share with anyone who might need it.
Visitors can bring a donation of and be entered into a drawing to win prizes. Winners will be drawn throughout the evening for prizes to collect on site. Grand prize winners will be drawn after the event concludes.
Donated items should be non-perishable food items or toiletries. Most needed items for the pantry include:
- Food items not damaged by extreme temperatures
- cereal
- sugar
- flour
- feminine hygiene items
- toilet paper
- paper towels
