Celebrate the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s 40th Anniversary Year!

San Diego, CA–April 11, 2013— Celebrate National Astronomy Day at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Saturday, April 20! Join us to learn all about near-earth objects at our exciting Great Balls of Fire! Comets Meteors Asteroids! exhibit, watch our giant dome screen planetarium show Cosmic Collisions, or take the ultimate trip on the Fleet’s Public Mission at the Nierman Challenger Learning Center: Voyage to Mars from noon to 2PM.

We also have a Giveaway Alert! Everyone who visits the Fleet on National Astronomy Day can visit educator Valerie MacPhee at the table near the Great Balls of Fire! exhibit and the Challenger Mission to pick up a ticket and enter to win.  First prize will be their very own telescope, second prize winner receives a year’s subscription to Astronomy Magazine, third prize is a collector’s edition of Astronomy Magazine’s “Cosmology’s Greatest Discoveries!” The telescope is a Celestron Astromaster 70AZ, with a built in starpointer for better targeting of objects, azimuth mount with pan handle and built in clutch for better targeting and smooth motion, tripod with accessory tray and astronomy software.

Want to double your chances to win on National Astronomy Day? Those who join in on the Voyage to Mars are entered again – double your chances by heading to space! You must receive a ticket to be entered to win the drawing, scheduled to take place at 2:15PM, after the Challenger Mission gets out.

Bring your family and friends along––they are needed to replace a crew working at Chryse Station—a permanent research base on the Martian surface! Experience the drama of space travel as you work in teams in the realistic Mission Control mock-up at a 21st Century Space Station to solve real-life science, technology and math problems using unique, hands-on space simulators. This is a unique opportunity to view stunning video images of Mars and learn more about the mysterious red planet!

You and your team will continue ongoing research of the red planet, calculate trajectories for entering and exiting Martian orbit, and launch two probes to the Martian moons of Phobos and Deimos. Participants will also weigh components needed to build a probe and calculate its mass, record the vital signs of other astronauts on board the spacecraft, determine the nutritional value of foods available, explore the planetary geology of Mars and its fascinating features, understand theories of existence on the Martian moons and compare and contrast the location of Earth and Mars. Aspiring astronauts must be at least 10 years or older to participate; must pre-register by calling (619) 238-1233 x806. Members: $15/person, nonmembers: $20/person.

Other Space news: take home the telescope from the Fleet on National Astronomy Day just in time to catch the Lyrid Meteor Shower on April 22! The Lyrid Meteor Shower is expected to peak around 3:45AM-4:30AM, lighting up the sky while the Fleet rests quietly. The annual meteor shower typically puts on a good show: averaging about 10-20 meteors an hour, but sometimes features “surges” of activity as high as 100 meteors an hour. The Lyrids also tend to produce rather bright meteors with long, highly visible trails.

Also happening in the sky is a Lunar Eclipse on April 25! The partial lunar eclipse will not be visible from North America, but it’s worth noting that it’ll be the second shortest lunar eclipse of the 21st century.

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is located at 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. Gallery Admission, including access to all eight exhibit galleries, is $11.75 for adults; $9.75 for children & seniors. The Fleet is open 365 days a year; Monday–Thursday 10AM–5PM, first Wednesday of each month 10AM–8PM, Friday 10AM–8PM, Saturday 10AM–7PM and Sunday 10AM–6PM.  For more information, call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at www.rhfleet.org.

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About the Nierman Challenger Learning Center

The Nierman Challenger Learning Center at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a part of a growing network of centers worldwide that are being established by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in memory of the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger. Founded by the families and friends of the lost seven shuttle astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space candidate, this agency continues the Challenger crew's educational mission to teach, to explore and to inspire.

Celebrate the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s 40th Anniversary Year!

Forty years ago, a spark ignited our imaginations! March 9, 2013 kicked off a year-long celebration of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and its 40 years of success in bringing hands-on science to our San Diego community. Forty years ago, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center opened its doors and brought interactive exhibits and the world’s first IMAX® Dome Theater to San Diego. Today, the Fleet inspires minds and connects individuals to science and technology through more than 100 “do touch” exhibits for all ages and amazing IMAX films and planetarium shows in the recently renovated Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Enjoy our year-long celebration, featuring a blockbuster exhibition, incredible events and dynamic educational experiences.