Across the Universe: Space-Themed Talks & Events in NYC This Summer
By Alison Durkee
It’s summertime in New York City, the perfect season for getting out and enjoying warm weather and sunny skies. But those looking to know what lies beyond those blue horizons are also in luck. Gaze upward this summer with these events exploring astronomy and the cosmos.
The American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium is one of the country’s top places to learn about the cosmos, and summer visitors will get an even more in-depth look through the planetarium’s Cosmic Lights, Summer Nights series. The series, which runs July 19 to August 30, will include a series of Astronomy Live events exploring such topics as the constellations of the zodiac, things that go “BANG” in the universe, and our ultimate cosmic fate. Earlier in the summer, the planetarium will also offer programs dedicated to the stunning beauty revealed by telescope data (June 13), unsolved mysteries of the universe (June 28), and the astronomy behind Manhattanhenge (July 12).
On June 13 the New York Academy of Sciences will take on the ultimate subject of extraterrestrial life at Are We Alone in the Universe?, a panel discussion that looks at Fermi’s Paradox and who might be living beyond Earth’s atmosphere. For those wanting a scientific evening out, head to one of the Astronomy Nights hosted by the Intrepid Museum. Families can enjoy a packed slate of talks and presentations for all ages at the Family Astronomy Night, which will take place on July 15 (featuring a special Star Trek-themed lineup), and August 19. Those over 21 can board the Intrepid to enjoy drinks, stargazing, and scientific lectures at the Astro Café. That free event will take place this summer on July 22 with special guest Gene Dolgoff, one of the first scientists to study holograms.
The vast beauty and mystery of the universe has impacted artists as well as scientists, and arts lovers also have some cosmic treats in store this summer. The Intrepid will host a concert by Public Service Broadcasting on July 15-16, a band who captures the spirit of the Space Race by using original news broadcasts and communications between NASA ground control and astronauts. For a grander look at the universe, The Hubble Cantata will debut in Brooklyn on August 9. This theatrical spectacle seeks to transport the audience to the far reaches of the cosmos using a combination of music, electronics, film, and footage from the Hubble Telescope.
To see how popular culture has interpreted space, head uptown to Columbia University, where the school’s Astronomy Outreach program will host a film & stargazing series this summer. The series will feature screenings of BLAST! (June 17), Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (July 15), and ET (August 12), with each screening followed by a discussion of scientific fact vs. fiction in the film.
Of course, the best way to realize the wonder of the universe is simply to look up and gaze at it yourself. For a first-hand look at the stars, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Amateur Astronomers Association, offers stargazing nights at the High Line. Attendees at the weekly event, which takes place on Tuesday evenings, can peer up at celestial sights using high-powered telescopes while enjoying a stroll through one of the city’s most popular areas. On Saturdays throughout the summer, daytime explorers can get a safe look at the sun through NYC Parks’ free Sun Gaze events, which will take place on the Upper West Side at 70th Street and Riverside Park.
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