People visiting the popular Old Pasadena district will become sidewalk space explorers when scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena bring telescopes, photos and hands-on activities to the One Colorado courtyard on five consecutive Saturdays in February and March.
This series of events, called "Saturdays in Space," is being held in conjunction with The Universe, a Pasadena-based celebration and exploration of the cosmos.
"JPL is literally bringing some of its activities onto the streets of Pasadena, so it's a great opportunity for the public to talk to the scientists and see first-hand what we do here," said Kimberly Lievense, manager of JPL's Public Services Office.
The One Colorado courtyard is located on Colorado Boulevard between Fair Oaks Avenue and Delacey Street.
"Saturdays in Space" is a collaborative effort organized by JPL, Carnegie Observatories, the Mount Wilson Institute/Mount Wilson Observatory Association and the Telescopes in Education Foundation.
"Saturdays in Space" will include:
Feb. 10, 12 to 5 p.m.--Observe the Sun and Become a Planet or Moon Safely observe the Sun through solar telescopes. Take part in an interactive family program where children become planets and moons. Learn about the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.
Feb. 17, 2 to 7 p.m.--The Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in Real Time and Film Observe the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes. See historic photos of the Mount Wilson Observatory and newer photos from the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Watch an evening screening of the science fiction film "The Boy From Mars," projected on the wall of the Crate and Barrel store.
Feb. 24, 12 to 5 p.m.--Missions to the Sun Safely observe the Sun through solar telescopes. Learn about current and future space missions to study the Sun.
March 3, 1 to 7 p.m.--Observe the Sun, Moon and Two Giant Planets Safely observe the Sun through solar telescopes. After dark, observe the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. Learn about the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.
March 10, 3 to 9 p.m.--Full Moon Rising View the full Moon through a telescope. See historic photos of the Mount Wilson Observatory and newer photos from the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
The Universe began last September and runs through May 2001. Through exhibits, performances, gallery talks and workshops, this celestial exploration reflects the importance of Pasadena as a center for the study of science and art.
The Pasadena cultural institutions actively participating in The Universe are the California Institute of Technology; Armory Center of the Arts; Art Center College of Design; Norton Simon Museum; One Colorado; Pacific Asia Museum; Southwest Chamber Music; and the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens.
For information on space exploration and astronomical objects, see JPL's website at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov . More information about Pasadena's celebration of The Universe is available at http://www.pasadena-universe.org .
JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology.