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March 2016: Programs and Events at the California Academy of Sciences
Featuring out-of-this-world new shows, programs, and exhibits all about the wonders of space exploration!
Incoming! New Planetarium Show Opens Friday, March 11 Morrison Planetarium In this new show narrated by George Takei, audiences will discover how asteroids and comets have collided with our planet throughout history, changing the course of life on Earth and shaping the world we know today. From the comfort of a planetarium seat, viewers will embark on a dynamic journey on the trail of asteroids and comets, get an up close look at the advanced technologies that allow scientists to detect asteroids before they reach Earth, and visualize historic space events billions of years in the making—all within an immersive, all-digital dome that brings the captivating story of our cosmic origins to life like never before.
Galaxy of Worlds Opens Friday, March 11 Every 45 minutes Monday-Friday beginning at 12:40pm; Sat-Sun beginning at 10:40am Hohfeld Hall Learn even more about outer space in this live, 15-minute program, which explores how studying exoplanets (planets which orbit stars other than the Sun) has changed our understanding of our own solar system's formation.
Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lecture How Will the World End – Death Plunge or Death Spiral? Monday, March 14 | 7:30 pm Dr. Mark Boslough, University of New Mexico Which would be worse for life on Earth: an asteroid impact or a global warming catastrophe? Dr. Mark Boslough compares the "death plunge" of an asteroid into Earth's atmosphere and the resulting effects of an impact to the "death spiral" of irreversible human-caused change in the planet's climate and discusses whether one is more likely—or preventable—than the other. Members $8, General $12, Seniors $10. Seating is limited and advanced ticketing is required. For additional lecture and workshop details, visit calacademy.org/lectures.
For more asteroid analysis, don’t miss Tiny Moons around Asteroids, a new Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lecture on April 4!
Ongoing Events
New daily program! Asteroid Adventure Beginning Friday, March 11 Daily | 11:30 AM Piazza Asteroids have shaped Earth (and the life on it) in ways that we still see today—just ask the dinosaurs! How did these impacts come to be, and how likely are asteroid encounters in the future? One way to find out is to become an asteroid yourself. Come help us “bombard Earth” and see what happens!
Academy Youth Programs for Summer 2016 — apply today! Summer is the perfect time to learn about science while making new friends and trying new experiments. The Academy’s Youth Programs are now recruiting middle and high school students for the exciting summer season. Visit www.calacademy.org/youthprograms. Applications close in April.
Family Nature Crafts Saturdays | 10 am Sundays | 11 am Spark creativity with nature-inspired crafts for the whole family. This March, design and build a space rover, satellite, or shuttle (3/5-6 and 3/12-13), and return later in the month to make your very-own starry constellation (3/19-20 and 3/26-27)!
3D Earth: Rainforests Daily | Showtimes vary Explore stunning views of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest like never before with 3D Earth: Rainforests, a new, live 3D show in the Academy’s Forum Theater. From towering canopies to the lush forest floor, put on a pair of 3D glasses and follow Academy scientists as they explore the vast biodiversity within these rich, tropical environments.