Stargazing at the National Air and Space Museum
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National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free
Come to the National Air and Space Museum for special nighttime stargazing. Do not miss this chance to see an array of celestial objects through a range of portable telescopes.
The Public Observatory dome is closed for repairs. The portable telescopes will be set up just outside the Museum's Independence Avenue entrance.
Viewings are always weather dependent. If it is cloudy, the observing will be canceled. Check @SIObservatory on Twitter for updates related to weather closures or call (202) 633-2517. Tickets are not required for stargazing. Free tickets for the preceding lecture can be obtained here.
Concessions and hot drinks may be available to purchase, cash only.
On the evening of June 11, 2015, visitors at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory enjoyed spectacular views of the planets Venus and Jupiter. It was a clear summer night with beautiful skies, and the two planets were noticeably close to each other in the sky. Visitors observed the crescent shape of Venus in the telescope, and noticed stripes of color in Jupiter's atmosphere. In this image, a volunteer is pointing out where the planets can be seen in the sky.
Two weeks after this observing night, Venus and Jupiter were at conjunction, when they appeared less than half a degree apart in the sky and could be seen at the same time in a telescope.
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