Astronomy Events This Coming Week: Science Festival and Astronomy on Tap x3

[Caltech Astro Outreach]

Astronomy enthusiasts,

We have some very exciting free public astronomy events happening this coming weekend and next week as part of our City of Astronomy week.  This week's events will highlight the unique history of Pasadena in the development of astronomy and space science over the last 100 years, as well as our 10th anniversary of Astronomy on Tap.  Hopefully you can join us!

Sunday, June 14 @ 1:00 - 5:00PM
City of Astronomy Science Festival 
Pasadena Convention Center

We will be hosting a science festival this Sunday, June 14 featuring science demonstrations, hands-on activities, creative displays, interactive VR demos, solar telescopes, and more at the Pasadena Convention Center. We will have scientists from the major astronomy and physics institutes across Pasadena and beyond to educate and engage about the world of physics and astronomy. There will also be public-level science presentations every 30-minutes covering black holes, exoplanets, galaxies, asteroids, and more!

The event will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center. Street parking is available as well as in the paid lot across the street (under the Pasadena Paseo). Event is free and open to the public! No reservations required.

Many thanks to the DSA Radio Telescope, Caltech Astronomy, Carnegie Observatories, American Astronomical Society, and City of Pasadena for their help supporting this event.

Fore more information about the event, including directions, please see: https://www.cityofastronomy.org/astrofest2026

Science Presentation Schedule

1:00 pm - Gabriele Vajente (LIGO)
“When Black Holes Collide”
1:30 pm - Vikram Ravi (Caltech & DSA)
“DSA: Building the World's Most Powerful Radio Telescope”
2:00 pm - Audrey Martin (Caltech)
“NASA's LUCY Mission: Tour of the Trojan Asteroids”
2:30 pm - Cameron Hummels (Caltech)
“Apollo, Artemis, and the Future of the Moon”
3:00 pm - Delina Levine (Caltech)
“Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Universe's Most Energetic Explosions”
3:30 pm - Anjali Tripathi (NASA JPL)
“The Art and Science of Exoplanet Exploration”
4:00 pm - Liam Kennedy (ISS-Above)
“Introduction to Live Earth Observation: 4k Live Video from the International Space Station”
4:30 pm - Jeff Rich (Carnegie)
“Mt. Wilson and the Discovery of Galaxies”

Monday, June 15 @ 7:30PM
Astronomy on Tap
Star Formation and Gas Flows in our Galaxy’s Center - Cara Battersby
Preserving Darkness in an Age of Light - Stephen Hummel
Dog Haus Biergarten, Pasadena

How does gas form into stars in the center of our Milky Way? How can we best experience and preserve dark skies in an age of light? Join us at 7:30PM PDT, Monday, June 15th for a very special Astronomy on Tap to discuss these questions.  Tonight will be our 150th Astronomy on Tap, happening on our 10th year anniversary!  We'll host two ~20 minute talks, Q&A, and then follow it up with interactive, astronomical pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes.

7:30 p.m. - Star Formation and Gas Flows in our Galaxy's Center
8:30 p.m. - Preserving Darkness in an Age of Light
9:00 p.m. - Astro-themed Pub Trivia Answers and Prizes



Tuesday, June 16 @ 7:30PM
Astronomy on Tap
Exploring the X-ray Universe with eROSITA - Esra Bulbul

What We Talk About When We Talk About Aliens - Tom Rice

Dog Haus Biergarten, Pasadena

What does the night sky look like in x-rays and how does it affect us on Earth? What do professional scientists think about the prospect of aliens existing? Join us at 7:30PM PDT, Tuesday, June 16th for a very special Astronomy on Tap to discuss these questions.  Tonight's event will be part of our 10th year anniversary week. We'll host two ~20 minute talks, Q&A, and then follow it up with interactive, astronomical pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes.

7:30 p.m. - Exploring the X-ray Universe with eROSITA
8:30 p.m. - What We Talk About When We Talk About Aliens
9:00 p.m. - Astro-themed Pub Trivia Answers and Prizes



Wednesday, June 17 @ 7:30PM
Astronomy on Tap
Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and White Dwarfs in Globular Clusters - Kyle Kremer
Gravitational-Wave Paleontology: Black Holes as Cosmic Fossils - Floor Broekgaarden
Dog Haus Biergarten, Pasadena

How can we study black holes as cosmic fossils? What can we learn about black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs in globular clusters? Join us at 7:30PM PDT, Wednesday, June 17th for a very special Astronomy on Tap to discuss these questions.  Tonight's event will be part of our 10th year anniversary week. We'll host two ~20 minute talks, Q&A, and then follow it up with interactive, astronomical pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes.

7:30 p.m. - Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and White Dwarfs in Globular Clusters
8:30 p.m. - Gravitational-Wave Paleontology: Black Holes as Cosmic Fossils
9:00 p.m. - Astro-themed Pub Trivia Answers and Prizes

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Our recent lectures and Astronomy on Tap events have been recorded. Check them out on our Caltech Astro YouTube channel. Please see our website for information about these upcoming events, photos of past events, directions, and more information: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu .

Cameron