Astronomy Night (Cool Summer Nights)
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Tucson is arguably the best city for stargazing in the United States! View the wonders of the night skies at one of our telescope stations and enjoy space-themed activities! Learn more about star maps from our Docents.
⭐ Tonight's Schedule:
Hands-on Activities and Education:
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn from our tabling community partners in the Baldwin Education Building, and wind down with the whole family at our craft station. Plus, find Museum Docents and folks from Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association set up with telescopes for your viewing pleasure throughout grounds.
Live Music on the Ironwood Patio:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Dance under the stars while listening to the dream folk sounds of Natalie Pohanic.
Presentations in the Warden Oasis Theater:
6:30 p.m. Darkness Rising: Why the Desert Needs the Night to Thrive
While we often define the desert by its sun, its survival depends on the shadows. Join Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, as he explores "scotobiology"—the vital science of darkness—and discover why preserving the Sonoran night is essential for wildlife, our ecosystem, and the future of the stars above.
8:00 p.m. Join us for a talk by Erika Hamden, Director of UA Space Institute.
Throughout the Night:
Look for Museum Docents around grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit
Admission: $2 Members / $4 Non-Members
Visitors are able to create their own moments with these captivating creatures at the Stingray Touch experience. The pool features cow nose stingrays that guests can interact with. Be touched by a ray!
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse
This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits
Make sure to check out 'Desert Dreams: Miniature Masterpieces' by the Arizona Pastel Artists Association in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Baldwin in the Baldwin'!
Signature Drink — Lost in Space Martini: Orange infused Vodka, Triple Sec, Orange punch
🌙 ABOUT COOL SUMMER NIGHTS:
Open till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays June–August! Cool Summer Nights is included with Museum Admission.
The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake: Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, otters splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a refreshing drink and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
Learn more: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/events_saturday_csn
Consider joining our membership program. A lot of bang for your buck! Learn more: http://www.desertmuseum.org/members/
⭐ Tonight's Schedule:
Hands-on Activities and Education:
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn from our tabling community partners in the Baldwin Education Building, and wind down with the whole family at our craft station. Plus, find Museum Docents and folks from Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association set up with telescopes for your viewing pleasure throughout grounds.
Live Music on the Ironwood Patio:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Dance under the stars while listening to the dream folk sounds of Natalie Pohanic.
Presentations in the Warden Oasis Theater:
6:30 p.m. Darkness Rising: Why the Desert Needs the Night to Thrive
While we often define the desert by its sun, its survival depends on the shadows. Join Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, as he explores "scotobiology"—the vital science of darkness—and discover why preserving the Sonoran night is essential for wildlife, our ecosystem, and the future of the stars above.
8:00 p.m. Join us for a talk by Erika Hamden, Director of UA Space Institute.
Throughout the Night:
Look for Museum Docents around grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit
Admission: $2 Members / $4 Non-Members
Visitors are able to create their own moments with these captivating creatures at the Stingray Touch experience. The pool features cow nose stingrays that guests can interact with. Be touched by a ray!
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse
This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits
Make sure to check out 'Desert Dreams: Miniature Masterpieces' by the Arizona Pastel Artists Association in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Baldwin in the Baldwin'!
Signature Drink — Lost in Space Martini: Orange infused Vodka, Triple Sec, Orange punch
🌙 ABOUT COOL SUMMER NIGHTS:
Open till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays June–August! Cool Summer Nights is included with Museum Admission.
The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake: Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, otters splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a refreshing drink and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
Learn more: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/events_saturday_csn
Consider joining our membership program. A lot of bang for your buck! Learn more: http://www.desertmuseum.org/members/
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Where is it happening?
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States, Arizona 85743
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherArizona-Sonora Desert Museum