Intrepid Museum Presents Virtual Astronomy Live

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will present a Virtual Astronomy Live program on Thursday, June 25 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM ET, a free event that explores the connection between the ancient art of origami and innovation in space science with special guests Keith Parrish, observatory manager for the James Webb Space Telescope, and Dr. Charlene Morrow, past board chair of OrigamiUSA.

After a brief introduction and explanation of origami, Parrish and Dr. Morrow will illustrate how the principles of this art form contributed to a new generation of solar reflectors in space, which help to keep astronauts safe. Dr. Morrow will also discuss and demonstrate origami models, such as the flasher, that have inspired and influenced breakthroughs in space exploration.

An interactive pre-show with Museum educators will take place from 5-5:30pm ET in which participants will be guided through creating their own origami foldings. As part of the pre-show, paper airplanes will illuminate the importance of folds to flight, and the unique design of the James Webb telescope based on origami foldings will be demonstrated.

The event is hosted and co-produced by John “Das” Galloway, founder of the Kerbal Space Academy, and moderated by Summer Ash, an astrophysicist, rocket scientist and freelance writer.

This is the third in a monthly series of Virtual Astronomy Live programs. The next iteration on July 16 will feature Astronaut Photography and Art. The Intrepid Museum’s Virtual Astronomy Live is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Virtual Astronomy Live is also generously supported by New York Space Grant Consortium. For all ages.