Astronomy & space events in the Bay Area

1 PM – 2 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, CA

12 minutes, all ages. Telescopes built to detect electromagnetic waves, like visible light, infrared, radio waves, and other forms, give us the ability to see objects and events at great distances in the universe, and far back in time. Today, a new type of instrument, the “gravity wave telescope”, is giving us the powe…

2 PM – 3 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, CA

20 min, 8 and up Through impressive scenarios, “Mexica Archaeoastronomy: between space and time” illustrates the important role played by astronomical observation for the evolution of pre-Hispanic cultures in central Mexico.

Meet at Muir Woods National Monument entry arch. · Mill Valley

Ever wondered what Muir Woods is like after the park closes? Join us on our free evening tour to explore what keeps the redwood forest awake when we go to sleep. Step outside your comfort zone and into the ancient, nocturnal setting of Muir Woods for this two-hour, two-mile walk. After all, we're only visitors in a pla…

Muir Woods National Monument · Mill Valley

Journey into the heart of Muir Woods National Monument on a 1-hour ranger-led tour with a national park ranger and naturalists. See the forest through the eyes of an expert as they expand your understanding of this diverse ecosystem and help you observe its rich complexity. Covered topics vary and include old growth re…

11 AM – 12 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

25 min Ages 6 and up, Adults The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage o…

12 PM – 1 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

Aurora Storm 11 minutes Ages 8 and up Aurora Storm explores the captivating northern lights and how different cultures and explorers have experienced them. Produced by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The show teaches about the causes of the auro…

9 PM – 11 PM·Foothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA

**Foothill Observatory is open for public observing on CLEAR Friday evenings from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.** You don't have to RSVP here to attend; just come by! Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's computer-controlled 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, operated by the Peninsula…

10 AM – 12 PM·Foothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA

**Foothill Observatory is open for public solar observing on CLEAR Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.** NOTE: You need not RSVP here to attend; just come by! Visitors to these daytime programs can view details of the sun through our special and safe solar filters, and dedicated solar telescope. We are a…

11 AM – 12 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt For Dark Matter 25 minutes Ages 8 and up An exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. The show will reveal the first hints of its existence through the eyes of Fritz Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term “dark…

1 PM·Northside Branch Library, 695 Moreland Way Santa Clara , California 95054

This event is in partnership with the San Jose Astronomical Association. The Universe is a big place, but during this presentation, we'll focus more on what we can see in the night sky and on our own solar system. We'll talk about asterisms, constellations, how we see distant stars, galaxies and then return to our own…

1:30 PM – 3 PM·Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd., San Carlos

Explore the night sky in a realistic domed simulation. Available on select dates. Additional fees are required. \n

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM·Fujitsu Planetarium at De Anza · Cupertino

In Magic Tree House: Space Mission, a mysterious “M” sends intrepid Jack and Annie on a fun filled journey. Along the way, they uncover th…

4 PM – 5 PM·Fujitsu Planetarium at De Anza · Cupertino

There’s a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to an end. It’s at this point, inside this…

5 PM – 9:30 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

Adults 21+, $40 Members receive $15 off Guided Stroll Immersive Trek Experience an unforgettable evening of nature, history, and stargazing with Hike & Sip, a program designed for adults 21 and over. Explore the majestic Redwood forest, guided by Chabot’s knowledgeable outdoor educators, and learn about the ecosystem,…

6 PM – 8 PM·Lindsay Wildlife (calendar) · Walnut Creek

Ages : 6 and up Description : Explore the habitat of local scorpions and tarantulas along the north face of Mount Diablo, starting at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Experience the excitement of finding scorpions glowing like green neon signs in the dark. Led by our experienced naturalist, participants will look fo…

11 AM·Coyote Hills (Fremont): Visitors Center

COYOTE HILLS REGIONAL PARK – Relax and connect with community in nature through a series of activities, including guided meditation walks, nature journaling and watercolors. Journals and binoculars are provided. Each program will end with a healthy treat! All Ages, Parent participation required. Parking fees apply wher…

11 AM – 12 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

35 minutes Ages 8 and up Everyone’s favorite underdog among the planets, Pluto has been an icon of dark mystery and murky expectation…until now. In July 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft made a historic encounter with the dwarf planet, giving us our first close look at its face and its entourage of moons. Come and j…

12 PM – 1 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

16 minutes All ages “ Lunaverse ” explores the nature of Earth’s moon: its motion and phases, lunar and solar eclipses, tides, and the Moon’s origin. The story unfolds as a conversation between a curious young child and the Moon—Luna—over the course of a night, from moonrise to moonset. Chabot Space & Science Center in…

6 PM · 6:30 PM · 7 PM·Castro Valley, Chabot Canyon, Castro Valley

Join Astro Everywhere for a special show inside an inflatable planetarium. Starting from our library, we will embark on an expansive journey fly back to explore humanity's place in space visit the International Space Station visit the sites of human moon landings see the farthest reaches of our spacecraft, radio signal…

11 AM – 12 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

Sunstruck 21 minutes All ages Explore the sun in all its glory in this fulldome show. Sunstruck takes us on a journey to discover the wonders of our magnificent sun and investigate how our star has supported life on Earth for millennia. This program includes information on the structure of our sun, the source of its en…

3 PM – 4 PM·Chabot Space & Science Center · Oakland

20 minutes Ages 8 and up In a feast of colors and sounds, Maya Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of six Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples…