Astronomy Festival on the National Mall

In Washington, DC, on Saturday June 25th from 6 to 11 pm, visitors will be a given a free guided tour of the sky at the Hofsrtra University's Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM) presented in association with Smithsonian Solstice Saturday. This free public festival is organized by Dr. Donald Lubowich, Coordinator of Astronomy Outreach, Hofstra University. AFNM features: solar, and optical telescope observations; hands-on activities; demonstrations; hand-outs; posters; videos; and a chance to mingle with astronomers. .

Dr. Lubowich and amateur astronomers will set up 35 telescopes on the National Mall, at 4th Street SW, across from the National Museum of the American Indian. Starting at 6 p.m., visitors may view sunspots with the specially filtered telescopes. After dusk and until 11 p.m. telescopes will provide close-up views of colorful stars, remnants of dying stars, nebula, and star clusters that sparkle like diamonds on black velvet.

Representatives from some of the nation’s foremost scientific institutions, organizations, and universities will present exciting demonstrations and answer questions about the latest discoveries or careers in science.

Science Organization: American Association of Physics Teachers, Ball Aerospace & Technology Corp. Carnegie Science and Carnegie Academy for Science Education, Chandra X-ray Observatory & NASA's Universe of Learning, the Solar Eclipsemobile, International Dark Sky Association, International Occultation Timing Association, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors,
National Air and Space Museum, National Center Earth Space Science Education, NSF’s NOIRlab, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, National Science Foundation, The Planetary Society, Space Telescope Science Institute , the Trust for the National Mall, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.

Colleges and Universities: Catholic University of America, Georgetown University, George Mason University, and Montgomery College.

Astronomy clubs: Amateur Observers’ Society of NY, Goddard Astronomy Club, National Capital Astronomers, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, and the Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology astronomy club.

Host or Publisher Hofstra University