In Celebration of National Space Day join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of space exploration. Experts in space sciences will be on hand to answer your questions and showcase how the next generation can prepare for space-related careers. Family fun hands-on activities will guide you through the evolution of space research and showcase what the future of space travel might become. Let our expert astronomers lead you through the night’s sky through storytelling and observation using our three historic telescopes.
*Telescope viewing as weather permits.
Also, May the Fourth be with you at Chabot with a special Star Wars themed Sky Tonight Planetarium show and a Star Wars costume contest and dance party! We wookiee forward to seeing you there!
$5 admission begins at 6pm, and does not apply from 10am-5pm.
The Center is closed to the general public between 5-6pm (with the exceptions of current CSSC members) and reopens at 6pm for $5 First Friday.
Star Wars Cantina (all ages)
Time: 6pm-10pm
Location: Beyond Blast Off
Join us for live music, beverages and a costume dance party at our Star Wars Cantina! There will even be a live appearance from the SF Cantina Band!
SF Cantina Band
Time: 7:30pm and 8:30pm
Location: Beyond Blast Off
The SF Cantina Band started roaming the streets and bars of San Francisco's Mission District on Halloween of 2009. Since then, they've also performed at wretched hives of scum and villainy like Foreign Cinema, CellSpace, Public Works, How Weird Street Fair, and PianoFight.
R2D2 Full Sized Interactive Robot
Time: 6pm-10pm
Location: Mezannine
Come and see the incredible full size working Star Wars R2D2 robot built by Grant McKinney!
Live Music
Time: 7pm-9:30pm
Location: Courtyard
Luz Cristal Glangchai, PhD, is a scientist, entrepreneur, and mentor with a passion for igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in girls and reducing the gender gap by creating confident girl leaders in STEM and executive roles. Dr. Glangchai has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the TODAY Show, NPR, The TakeAway, Mashable, Medium, TEDx San Antonio, and SXSW Interactive. She is the Founder/CEO of VentureLab, a nonprofit organization that is helping create the next generation of innovators and changemakers through training and curriculum in youth entrepreneurship. And she is the author of VentureGirls: Raising Girls to be Tomorrow.
Dr. Sanjoy Som Talk– Earth Way Before the Dinosaurs and How to Search for Alien Life
Time: 8:30pm
Location: Planetarium
Why and how is exploring the very ancient earth important in our quest to find life beyond Earth? Dr. Som will discuss his research in astronomy as well as geology and the physical properties of the Earth's ancient atmosphere by studying the chemistry of hot springs with an eye on understanding how these environments can sustain life.
Dr. Som is research scientist with the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science at NASA Ames Research Center. His current research activities include understanding the physical properties of the Earth's ancient atmosphere and studying the chemistry of hot springs with an eye on understanding how these environments can sustain life.
Story Time
Times: 7:30pm & 8pm
Location: Observation Deck
Gather around our Master Storyteller and hear exciting tales! Fun for the whole family!
Telescope Makers Workshop
Time: 7pm-10pm
Location: Chemistry/Physics Lab
Open to all ages, the Telescope Makers’ Workshop is an all-volunteer group committed to helping people build their own telescopes. Drop in to see what they are up to!
Telescope Viewing
Time: 7:30-10:30pm
Location: Observatory Deck
Star Wars Costume Contest
Time: 8:45pm
Location: Rotunda
Show off your best Star Wars attire on our red carpet!
Star Stories
Time: 9:15pm
Location: Observation Deck
Lay on our new Observation Deck and look up at the stars! Bring your sleeping bags and blankets and come listen to an expert stargazer explain the mythology behind the constellations, stories from the night sky as seen throughout history and look for planets and other clues to help orient you to the night's sky. (Blankets are also provided).
Project Create Activity Space
Project Create is a place where families create together to spark their curiosity and love of making. Imaginations will be stimulated as our makers think of new ways to tinker with materials we see every day making them better, different, or new.
