ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER’S ASTRONOMY DAY OFFERS VISITORS THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE

Telescope Giveaway, Special Guest Speakers, Experiments, and Activities Highlight Annual Event

Contact:

Amy Y. Davidson
(615) 327-7999
adavidson@seig-pr.com

Virginia Crowe
(615) 401-5059
vcrowe@adventuresci.com

Nashville, TN (May 4, 2008) — Just eight weeks away from the opening of the all-new Sudekum Planetarium and Space Chase exhibit wing, Adventure Science Center visitors can brush up on their space knowledge during the 21st annual Astronomy Day celebration on May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Special guest speakers and hands-on activities will give children and their parents an opportunity to explore questions about the solar system and more. Kids can make comets, solar system jewelry and impact craters throughout the day. Sudekum Planetarium staff and friends will be on hand to give telescope demonstrations, and one lucky visitor will win his or her very own telescope to take home.

“As we are getting closer to the opening of the all new Sudekum Planetarium and Space Chase, Middle Tennesseans are filled with anticipation for this new project,” said Kris McCall, director of Adventure Science Center’s Sudekum Planetarium. “Astronomy Day is a great event for everyone to come out and ask our Planetarium staff questions about the new Planetarium and exhibits. In addition, visitors can register for the Race to Space Chase, an online scavenger hunt where three winners will win a year-long pass to the Planetarium.”

Dr. Chuck Higgins, physics and astronomy professor at Middle Tennessee State University, will speak about the planet Mercury. He will share new images from the 2008 MESSENGER mission and give insight into this small, heavily cratered planet.

Dr. Charles McGruder, physics and astronomy professor at Western Kentucky University, will address extra-solar planets. This inspiring and inquisitive presentation will discuss planets outside our solar system.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a MEADE ETX 80AT-TC telescope, provided by Astronomy Magazine and MEADE 4M Community. An excellent telescope for beginning astronomers, the winner can immediately start exploring the universe at home.

Once the sun goes down, Astronomy Day will continue with a free star party at the Science Center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society will set up telescopes, including video monitors, for patrons to observe Jupiter, Saturn, and more; and provide star gazers information about what they are seeing.

For more information about Astronomy Day and a full schedule of planned activities, visit www.adventuresci.com. Questions may be directed to Katie Walker at (615) 401-5065 or kwalker@adventuresci.com.

About Adventure Science Center
For 60 years, Adventure Science Center has brought science to life for children in Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Northern Alabama and beyond. The Center offers hands-on, interactive exhibits and engaging programs that encourage children of all ages to explore how science, invention and innovation affect their lives. Adventure Science Center encourages imagination and curiosity, and engages the senses in the fascinating world of science.

Adventure Science Center is located at 800 Fort Negley Boulevard. Its regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults; and $7 for children ages 3 to 12, and seniors 60 and older. For more information, call (615) 862-5160 or visit our web site at www.adventuresci.com.