Activities
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.
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.
All About Space
NC Museum of Natural Sciences – Investigate Lab
Explore what the solar system and space have to offer! Hours: 10:30 am – 12.30 pm and 1 pm – 3 pm.
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! Come 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
Come and chat with NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors and get answers to all your burning questions about space exploration, astronomy, and the wonders of our solar system! Whether you’re curious about distant planets, galaxies, or the latest missions, our experts are here to share their knowledge and spark your curiosity.
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Welcome to the Museum’s Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab (times for lab openings will be posted during the event). The Lab showcases cutting-edge space visualization software called OpenSpace, a NASA-funded collaboration led by the American Museum of Natural History, in New York. Visitors will see the latest research from Museum astronomers, Dr. Rachel Smith and Dr. Patrick Treuthardt, as well as solar system and planetary fly-throughs using real mission data created using an open-source educational tool! Dr. Smith and Dr. Treuthardt, along with colleagues and students, will be circulating during the event and may be discussing their research and outreach with visitors as well!
Astronomy at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University
Learn about the astronomy program and observatories at Appalachian State University.
Astronomy Days T-Shirt Sales
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Purchase this year’s shirt with its awesome spacey design!
Astronomy with Binoculars
Raleigh Astronomy Club
View a display of low-cost astronomy equipment for Astrophotography.
Astrophotography
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Come view excellent examples of astro photos taken by members of the Raleigh Astronomy Club. Examples of astrophotography gear will be exhibited and members will be available to discuss techniques and processes.
Blast Off Rockets
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Create a rocket masterpiece and prepare to launch it sky-high!
Bring Back the Night Sky
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Light pollution affects all of us on the planet, from astronomers to sea turtles. Find out about this environmental issue and what you can do to help bring back the night sky!
CHAOS
Chapel Hill Astronomy and Observational Society
Club members range from precocious teenagers to UNC Astronomy Professors but most of us are just enthusiastic amateur astronomers. Come by and meet us and see what we’re up to. Our scope is the universe.
Comet on a Stick and Astronaut Photo Booth
Over the Moon Playspace
Hands on make-and-take activities for kids including: make a comet on a stick, create your own asteroid, an astronaut photo booth, and more!
Constellation Exploration
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Learn about the history and uses of constellations and then use a flashlight to head out into “space” to track down some constellations right here in the Museum!
Constellation Exploration!
Scouting America – Cub Scouts – Occoneechee Council
We are excited to have the youth create their very own “Constellation Flashlight”! While working on your take home craft, learn more about starting your own outdoor adventure through Scouting! Stargazing is one of our favorite camping activities!
Discovery Room
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Explore the natural world and the skies above in the Discovery Room! The Discovery Room is an ideal space for intergenerational learning for children and families. Hours: 10:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-3pm.
Drive a Rover on Mars
Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Cardinal Gibbons Robotics invites attendees on an exciting hands-on adventure through the Martian landscape! The exhibit features a detailed Mars Map that brings the red planet to life. Guests can take control of rovers designed by the Cardinal Gibbons Robotics team, simulating a real Mars exploration experience. This exhibit is a perfect adventure in science, technology, and space exploration, sparking curiosity and wonder for attendees of all ages.
Duke Stargazing
We are Duke Stargazing, a student-led club at Duke University devoted to getting our peers and the public involved in astronomy! We will be talking about our weekly telescope open houses in Durham and our efforts to get more people interested in stargazing.
Exoplanets
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Learn about the methods used for detecting Exoplanets and see some models of Exoplanets. We’ll use our own version of the Kepler Space Telescope, a Lego orrery and artificial star to demonstrate the transit method of detecting Exoplanets. Visitors can also learn about the Drake Equation and input their own variables to see how many other communicating civilizations are in our galaxy. We’ll also have a video illustrating the Fermi Paradox.
Face Painting
Paint Savvy
Themed face painting with aliens, galaxies and other celestial inspired designs. FEE.
Finding the North Star and Others
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Learn how to use the Big Dipper as a tool for finding the North Star (Polaris) and take a look at how the sky moves throughout the night and year!
Fossils in Space
Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
What if there was life on other planets? Could we find fossil remains? Find out which planets can support potential life and fossil growth in this hands on experience!
Fun, Interactive Physics Demonstration
NC State Physics
NC State will display a large collection of physics demonstrations that will be interactive, fun and educational for kids and adults.
Get Wild for TLC
Triangle Land Conservancy
What does land conservation have to do with Star Gazing? Visit our table this Astronomy Days to learn through fun activities about the benefits to our health, ecosystems, and yes, even star gazing, that the Triangle Land Conservancy provides for our communities.
Girl Scouts in Space
Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines
Girl Scouts tackle space.
Green Roof Solar Observing
NC Museum of Natural Sciences – Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab
See our star up close at Astronomy Days! Astronomers will set up solar telescopes on the 4th floor terrace of the Nature Research Center to safely view the Sun with special filters. You’ll see fascinating solar surface features like plasma loops and possibly a few sunspots! Scientists and experienced volunteers will be on-hand to explain and answer questions. 1:00pm-2:30pm, both days, weather permitting.
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!
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 Earth Were the Size of the Daily Planet
Raleigh Astronomy Club
How high is Mount Everest, how deep are the oceans, how thick are tectonic plates? You’ll find the answers to all these questions, and much more as we use the Museum’s Daily Planet globe as a scale model of Earth.
In Situ Explorers
North Carolina Science Trail
The NC Science Trail provides information to the public about where and how to find SciEd opportunities in NC. We will display our banner with Science Trail information, and possibly a map of our partners. We will have one or two space-themed projects/experiments for hands-on activities available and some items for visitors to take home.
Lights Out Wake
Wake Audubon Society
Lights Out Wake encourages people to turn out their unneeded artificial lights at night, especially during fall & spring bird migration seasons. Migrating birds can become confused by artificial lights, exhausting themselves and sometimes dying.
Live in the Vis Lab: Apollo Engineer Ted Dunn
NC Museum of Natural Sciences – VisLab
Meet one of the engineers that worked directly on the spacecraft that took astronauts to the moon! Hours: 10:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-3pm.
Living Conservatory-Open for Astronomy Days!
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
You’ve heard of rainforests, but have you heard of a tropical dry forest? Come see our recreation of this unique habitat and meet some of its most fascinating inhabitants. As tropical butterflies flutter overhead, get a glimpse of turtles, fish and even a two-toed sloth. These animals like it hot and humid, so you’ll feel like you’re taking a tropical vacation without ever leaving the city.
Lunar Landers and Mars Rovers 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!
Meteorites and Meteor-wrongs: Learn How to Tell the Difference!
NC Museum of Natural Sciences – Naturalist Center
Learn about the features common to all meteorites and how to spot meteorite “imposters”! We’ll have examples of both on display in the Naturalist Center.
Mission Masters and Rover Wranglers
Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
Take on the challenge of exploring the solar system! Build, navigate, and solve hands-on space mission activities inspired by real-life exploration.
Museum Membership
Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Join or renew your membership at during the event or online, January 18 – February 2, with code “SOLAR” and receive a FREE Astronomy Days T-shirt on the day of the event.
NC Near Space
NC Near Space Research
NC Near Space Research is group of local hobbyists that fly large weather balloons to 25 miles above the earth. This is far above aircraft, weather, and breathable air; where the sky is dark even in the daytime.
Planet Hunters and Investigators
UNC Physics and Astronomy
Learn how astronomers study the cosmos, discover new planets, and learn what stars are made of with these interactive activities for all ages!
The Quest for Extraterrestrial Life
North Carolina Academy of Science
From living water bears and vinegar eels to plants small enough to fasten onto necklaces, join the Academy in the spacious Curiosity Classroom for a fun look at life of extreme environments, activities featuring Mars and Earth’s extreme environments, and colorful crafts — Pinwheel Galaxy pinwheels, seed planters, and draw-your-favorite alien sheets.
Quiet Space
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Our quiet space is an area where visitors can take a break from the events and activities. This space is sectioned off and available for visitors with anxiety, stress, and sensory overstimulation. Guests are also provided with sensory toys, coloring pages, books, and noise-canceling headphones (upon request). People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take advantage of our quiet space.
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Meet and greet museum visitors who are interested in astronomy. Also, learn about how the club supports astronomy in the greater Raleigh area and check out upcoming events.
Servicing in Space
NASA
Explore the complexities of in-space servicing for NASA’s astrophysics flagships, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the visionary Habitable Worlds Observatory.
Solar Observing
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Safely observe the Sun through filtered telescopes provided by local amateur astronomers.
Sparking Constellation Paintings
Stacy Lewis Studio
Stacy Lewis will be demonstrate mixed media techniques to create colorful, sparkling constellation paintings.
Stargazing on Protected Lands
Triangle Land Conservancy
Visit our table to discover how land preservation benefits our health, ecosystems, and stargazing! Learn about the astronomical opportunities the Triangle Land Conservancy and our partners offer to the community.
Statewide Star Party: Your Place in Space
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Get hands-on with Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s meteorite collection and touch a rock from outer space! Celebrate your place in space by making a pocket solar system, one of the activities that’ll be part of this year’s annual Statewide Star Party–35 free sky-watching events happening from the mountains to the coast on April 4th and 5th.
Straw Rockets with High-Powered Rocketry Club
NC State High-Powered Rocketry Club
Try your hand at making and decorating paper straw rockets while learning about rocketry concepts and NC State’s High-Powered Rocketry Club.
Telescopes on Display
Raleigh Astronomy Club
Take a look at the Moon and planets through local amateur astronomer telescopes and accept our ‘challenge at the eyepiece’ to locate specific lunar features! A variety of telescopes will be on display.
UNC Society of Physics Students
UNC Physics and Astronomy
Participate in the wonders of physics through fun hands-on demonstrations and activities!