Event Calendar

Space Out Saturday: NORAD and Tracking Santa

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: NORAD and Tracking Santa. How fast does Santa's sleigh have to fly to deliver presents to everyone? Young Explorers will put Jolly O'Saint Nick on an SR-71 or a Bell X-1 plane and see how he flies! 

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Space Out Saturday: Laika: the First Dog in Orbit

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Laika: the First Dog in Orbit. Young Explorers will create their own rocket and send animals into space!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

2019 Everything Under the Stars

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Location: Cosmosphere

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The much anticipated Everything Under the Stars event is back and promises to be out of this world!

Exciting venues, live music, fantastic food and beverages, plus a live and silent auction which won't disappoint!
 

Space Out Saturday: Halloween in Space!

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Halloween in Space! Celebrate Halloween on the International Space Station and create spiders out of styrofoam cups!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Friday, October 18, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Friday, October 18 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal hours until 7:00 pm.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Space Out Saturday: What Are Planets Made of?

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: What are planets made of? Young Explorers will learn what materials make up our planets and make their own world and lifeforms with play-doh.

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Wednesday, September 11 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal business hours.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Space Out Saturday: National Aviation Day

Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: National Aviation Day! Young Explorers experience the forces of flight by constructing their own foam paper airplane!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Space Out Saturday: 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11: That’s one small step for Man, one giant leap for Mankind. What would you have said as the first person on the Moon? Young Explorers will get history of the Apollo 11 training, they'll construct their own space suit and create their own first words from the Moon.

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Coffee at the Cosmo: The Greenland Impact Crater Discovery

Date: Thursday, June 20, 2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Cosmosphere Banquet Room

Offered every Third Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am, this enriching continuing education program for life-long learners features entertaining, insightful presentations by Cosmosphere staff and visiting professionals who are experts in a variety of topics related to science and space. Free to the public, coffee and pastries are provided. Watch cosmo.org for topics.

Enjoy this free presentation: "The Greenland Impact Crater Discovery," by special guest presenter, John Paden, Associate Scientist, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS), Kansas University.

Kansas University radar systems measure the ice thickness of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and these data lead to the discovery of a large impact crater beneath the ice in northwest Greenland. Dr. Paden will present about the radar systems used to map the crater, how the crater was discovered and verified, and discuss the ongoing work to understand how the ice sheet affected the impact and the next steps to improve the dating of the impact crater.

*Coffee at the Cosmo topics and speakers are subject to change.

Space Out Saturday: Asteroid Day!

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: It's Asteroid Day! What are asteroids made of? Are there any in Kansas? Young Explorers will make their own asteroid out of various materials. 

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Space Out Saturday: Communication in Space

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Communication in Space. How do we communicate in space? Young explorers will design their own code language and operate walkie-talkies!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Coffee at the Cosmo: Communication in Space Travel

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Cosmosphere

Offered every Third Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am, this enriching continuing education program for life-long learners features entertaining, insightful presentations by Cosmosphere staff and visiting professionals who are experts in a variety of topics related to science and space. Free to the public, coffee and pastries are provided. Watch cosmo.org for topics.

Enjoy this free presentation: "Communication in Space Travel," With special guests, Kansas Astronaut, Dr. Steven Hawley and former NASA Johnson Space Center Director of External Relations, Eileen Hawley. 

*Coffee at the Cosmo topics and speakers are subject to change.

Space Out Saturday: Robots!

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Robots! Young explorers will experiment with different types of robots. 

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Friday, March 22, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Friday, March 22 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal hours until 7:00 pm.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Coffee at the Cosmo: Mars: Through the Eyes (and Lasers) of Curiosity

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Cosmosphere

Offered every Third Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am, this enriching continuing education program for life-long learners features entertaining, insightful presentations by Cosmosphere staff and visiting professionals who are experts in a variety of topics related to science and space. Free to the public, coffee and pastries are provided. Watch cosmo.org for topics.

Enjoy this free presentation: "Mars: Through the Eyes (and Lasers) of Curiosity," by guest speaker Sarah Lamm, team member on NASA's Curiosity Rover and a student at Northern Arizona University in the doctoral program for astronomy and planetary science.

*Coffee at the Cosmo topics and speakers are subject to change.

Space Out Saturday: Women in Science

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Women in Science and STEM-related Fields! Young explorers will learn the basics of chemistry and do fun experiments with hydrogen peroxide and yeast and make tinkertoy molecules!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Coffee at the Cosmo: Come Spy With Me: Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr., & the Manned Orbiting Laboratory

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Cosmosphere

Offered every Third Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am, this enriching continuing education program for life-long learners features entertaining, insightful presentations by Cosmosphere staff and visiting professionals who are experts in a variety of topics related to science and space. Free to the public, coffee and pastries are provided. Watch cosmo.org for topics.

Enjoy this free presentation: "Come Spy With Me: Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr., and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory," by Cosmosphere Curator, Shannon Whetzel. 

*Coffee at the Cosmo topics and speakers are subject to change.

Early Closing of the Lobby at 5 pm

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

The Cosmosphere's main entrance, naviGATOR simulator and lobby will be closing early to the General Public on Thursday, February 21 at 5:00 pm for a private event. The Carey Digital Dome Theater shows afer 5:00 pm will play as scheduled. The Hall of Space Museum and Gift Store are open normal hours until 5:00 pm.

Please use the alternate entrance to the North of the main entrance, by the Richard E. Smith Science Center.

Space Out Saturday: Diversity in Science

Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: Diversity in Science: How do you become an astronaut? Young explorers will make a list of what an astronaut needs in space and then dress up like an astronaut with photo-ops!

Family day at the Cosmosphere with free programming for kids – from little tikes to grade school. Join us every third Saturday for our FREE kid-friendly, fun and educational Space Out Saturday! Plus: Don't miss our guided tours at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.* (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

INNOVATOR'S WORKSHOP (LOBBY)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Unique, fun, and educational experiences! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting hands-on demonstrations and activities.

STORYTIME (LOBBY)
11:00 am
Open to all, recommended for ages 5 years or younger
Excitement ensues with this fun and educational storytime!

SPACE TREK* (LOBBY)
1:00 pm
Open to all, recommended for ages 5-10
Adventures await! Take a special tour designed to inspire and engage our future astronauts and engineers. (*Hall of Space admission required. Reno County residents are FREE.)

SPACE OUT SATURDAYS ARE OFFERED EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT THE COSMOSPHERE, AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Reception

Date: Monday, January 21, 2019 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Cosmosphere Lobby

You're invited to the Cosmosphere for a FREE community reception in honor of MLK Jr. Day on Monday, January 21 beginning at 4:30 pm.

Enjoy performances from local musicians and dancers as well as hear from special guest speaker, Dr. Andrew Williams, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Kansas. He will speak about an all-female, African-American robotics group he started called Spelbots and the importance of diversity in STEM education and careers.

Light refreshments will be served.

Sky Watch: Free Public Sky Observing

Date: Sunday, January 20, 2019 9:30 PM – 11:59 PM
Location: Grassy lot south of the Cosmosphere.

Bring your lawn chairs (and blankets and hot cocoa!) for a free Public Sky Observing Sunday, January 20 beginning at 9:30 PM in the grassy lot south of the Cosmosphere.

The real showstopper happens in the evening sky with a total lunar eclipse on January 20. It’s been several years since North America has seen a total lunar eclipse so this will be a real treat to start the New Year. The full moon begins entering the outer, fainter part of Earth’s shadow, the penumbra, at about 8:36 pm in the eastern sky. While this is the beginning of the eclipse it’s difficult to notice a change in the Moon’s appearance due to the faintness of the shadow. An hour later, around 9:40 pm the Moon enters the umbra, the darker inner part of Earth’s shadow. This is when a distinct change in the Moon’s appearance begins as our natural satellite begins to darken.

During maximum eclipse, at 11:12 pm, the Moon glows a reddish color as Earth’s atmosphere acts like a big lens, refracting sunlight onto the lunar surface. The Moon exits the umbral shadow around 12:40 am and the penumbral shadow about 1:48 am, making the entire event over 5 hours. You can easily observe the lunar eclipse with just your eyes, but binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view.

We will be using our giant, 16-inch diameter telescope or feel free to bring your own telescopes as well!