California Academy of Sciences: Starry Night Life

From using stars for wayfinding to the stories sparked by constellations, humans throughout history have pondered the night sky from every corner of the globe. This NightLife, we’re collaborating with One Sky Project to celebrate Indigenous astronomy and spotlight how the myriad ways cultures see the cosmos have contributed to our collective knowledge of the Universe. Join us in the Morrison Planetarium for the San Francisco premiere of the project’s short films—a collaborative effort with Academy planetarium director Ryan Wyatt—each representing the perspective of a different culture or Indigenous society. Hear astronomer Laurie Rousseau-Nepton and director of the University of Hawai’i’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center Ka’iu Kimura discuss the intersection of ancestral and contemporary astronomy. Come with a wish in mind to add to 1000s of Wishes Upon a Star, a participatory art installation in the Piazza.

Fix your gaze on the night sky to ponder: are we alone in the Universe? Discover galaxies near and far through the lens of the Unistellar telescope, and explore the possibilities of life beyond Earth in a telescope demonstration with SETI Institute astronomer Franck Marchis. Get a sneak peek into the James Webb Space Telescope—NASA’s revolutionary new observatory—which will peer more than 13.5 billion years back into cosmic history and transform our understanding of the early Universe.
 

A few don't-miss NightLife details:
 

• To help keep staff and guests safe, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry, and boosters and indoor masking are strongly encouraged. Feeling under the weather? Please NightLife another time! View health and safety information here.
   
• Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep.
   
• Morrison Planetarium is now open at NightLife with 4 showtimes. To maximize staff and guest safety, planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Passes are available online in advance for an additional $5 while supplies last to reserve a seat at a 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:30 pm planetarium show. Please see our FAQs for more details. (Please note: A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink are not permitted inside the planetarium, and masks must be worn properly at all times.)
   
• Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Academy Café and West Garden Terrace including a variety of grab-and-go options, craft cocktails, and more. All food and drink must be enjoyed outdoors.
   
• NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Photo ID required.

Note: Ticket purchase is required to participate in this event

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