Scales of the Universe

Join us on a captivating adventure through the vastness of the cosmos as we traverse the sizes and scales of what lies around us in space! From tiny dust particles that slowly swirl together under the force of gravity, to distant stars that forge new elements, to the trillions of galaxies in our universe, we’ll explore the staggering range of sizes and distances that define our cosmic perspective.

PreK

Program not offered for this age. We recommend Tour of Our Solar System instead.

K-2nd

Program not offered for this age. We recommend Tour of Our Solar System instead.

3rd-5th

Film (30Ìýminutes):ÌýWe Are Stars

Live TalkÌý(30Ìýminutes):ÌýTopics include the night sky tonight, including Milky Way, apparent sizes and distances of stars and planets, and Earth's place in our galaxy

Themed Activity Add-OnsÌý(30 minutes each, max 25 students each):ÌýÌýÌý

  • Beyond Human Vision - Explore the world of light and how it applies to deep space through demonstrations comparing the vision of humans, other animals, and telescopes.
  • Scale Model Solar System - Â鶹ÒùÔº will explore the vast distances in space by creating a pocket universe and going on a guided tour of our outdoor scale model solar system (weather permitting).Ìý

ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars The sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars because it is closer. Stars range greatly in their distances from Earth.

6th-8th

Film (30Ìýminutes): Cosmic Mashups: Gravity, Galaxies, and Supermassive Black Holes

Live TalkÌý(30Ìýminutes):ÌýTopics include the night sky tonight, including Milky Way, Earth's place in our galaxy, our galaxy among many in the universe, and gravity in our universe

Themed Activity Add-OnsÌý(30 minutes each, max 25 students each):ÌýÌýÌý

  • Beyond Human Vision - Explore the world of light and how it applies to deep space through demonstrations comparing the vision of humans, other animals, and telescopes.
  • Scale Model Solar System - Â鶹ÒùÔº will explore the vast distances in space by creating a pocket universe and going on a guided tour of our outdoor scale model solar system (weather permitting).Ìý

Earth and its solar system are part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is one of the many galaxies in the universe.

9th-12th

Film (30Ìýminutes):Ìý5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI

Live TalkÌý(30Ìýminutes):ÌýTopics include the night sky tonight, including Milky Way and distant objects,Ìýour galaxy among many in the universe, Big Bang theory and the Cosmic Microwave Background,Ìýand gravity in our universe

Themed Activity Add-OnsÌý(30 minutes each, max 25 students each):ÌýÌýÌý

  • Beyond Human Vision - Explore the world of light and how it applies to deep space through demonstrations comparing the vision of humans, other animals, and telescopes.
  • Scale Model Solar System - Â鶹ÒùÔº will explore the vast distances in space by creating a pocket universe and going on a guided tour of our outdoor scale model solar system (weather permitting).Ìý

The Big Bang Theory is supported by observations of distant galaxies receding from our own, of the measured composition of stars and non-stellar gasses, and of the maps of spectra of the primordial radiation (CMB) that still fills the universe.

Looking for something else?

Explore ourÌýfulldome films,Ìýstar shows, or contact ourÌýEducation DepartmentÌýto discuss a custom show.