Age, Weight and Jumping on Other Planets
The AstroNerd
Step into our interactive exhibit and discover how you’d measure up on other planets! Find out how old you’d be, how much you’d weigh, and how high you could jump if you lived on worlds like Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn.
Animals of the Constellations
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Have you ever wondered how the constellations got their names? There are 88 constellations in the sky and many of them are named after animals! Meet some of these critters and learn about the mythology and natural history of the animals, as well as how constellations provide a map of the night sky.
Ask a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors
Get answers to all your burning questions about space exploration, astronomy, and the wonders of our solar system! Whether you’re interested about distant planets, galaxies, or the latest missions, the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors are here to share their knowledge and spark your curiosity.
Astronomy With Binoculars
The Raleigh Astronomy Club
Experience amazing sights you can view with accessible equipment. Learn how you can take spectacular space photos through astrophotography without breaking the bank.
Astrophotography
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Come view excellent examples of astro photos and discuss the techniques and processes of astrophotography gear.
Blast Off Rocket Building
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Create a rocket masterpiece and prepare to launch it sky-high outside!
Blast Off Rocket Shooting
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
After making your own rocket, bring it outside to shoot it into the sky!
Hide and Seek Moon
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
For early childhood learners to get a hands-on experience using tools like binoculars to study distant objects. Learn about how different cultures view the Moon, explored through the captivating Moon Rope storybook.
How Craters are Formed
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Learn the ‘hole’ story! From the surface of Earth, to the moon and other celestial bodies, discover the origin, speech and size of the meteors that caused these impressive pockmarks throughout the universe.
If Every Star Were a Grain of Sand
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Do you know how many stars are in the observable universe? Stop by to find out the incredible answer and much more!
Lights Out Wake
Wake Audubon Society
Learn why turning off unnecessary outdoor lights assists millions of birds to migrate safely during Spring and Fall.
Lunar Lander and Mars Rover Maker Station
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Can you create an amazing robot or spaceship from found materials? Try your hand at creating your own special machine or recreate a model of the lunar lander or Mars rover!
PlaySPACE
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Babies and toddlers will enjoy space themed toys and games in this designated “blast-off” area for our youngest visitors and their guardians.
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Connect with local astronomers and discover the club’s vital role in the greater Raleigh area. Check out our calendar to join us for upcoming events.
Robotics
Valence Robotics
Join this robotics competition team to learn the values of STEM through interactive activities related to the engineering and ideation process of robot building.
Solar Observing
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Observe the Sun safely through filtered telescopes provided by local amateur astronomers.
Sparkling Constellation Paintings
Stacy Lewis Studio
Come and see a demonstration of mixed media techniques to create colorful, sparkling constellation paintings.
Spiral Graph: Cluster Buster
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Evaluate if tracings from the Cluster Buster citizen science project are clustered together correctly. Help us untangle the thousands of traced arms of spiral galaxies from each other.
Straw Rockets with High-Powered Rocketry Club
NC State High-Powered Rocketry Club
Make and decorate paper straw rockets while learning about rocketry concepts from NC State’s High-Powered Rocketry Club.
Loud Noise Warning: During the entirety of the event, on both Saturday and Sunday, Blast-Off Rockets will be fired off on the Bicentennial Plaza, near the Museum’s Nature Exploration Center (NEC) entrance. The rockets make a loud popping noise caused by the instant release of pressurized air. If you are sensitive to loud or unexpected noises, please consider entering the Museum through the Nature Research Center (NRC) at 121 W Jones St.