Join us for a family day that is all about our Sun, a dynamic star that can produce big eruptions, such as solar flares. Right now the Sun is at "solar maximum," a period when it becomes extra active every 11 years.

More About Event

A map showing the activities at the July 2025 Soar Together Family Day.

1. Outdoor Astronomy Activities 
West Terrace, near Delta Solar (large silver sculpture) | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Observe the Sun safely using filtered telescopes and Sun spotters to see the many features on the active Sun. 
*Weather permitting

2. Interactive Scavenger Hunt

Explore Museum exhibits about our family day theme by doing fun missions, activities and photo challenges. Earn points with every activity you complete! 
*Requires the Goosechase app. Game code: KD2BAB

3. Story Time
Readings at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm

Join us for "The Earth's Shield," an original story from the National Air and Space Museum, written by Ann Caspari, illustrated by Diane Kidd. Earth gets so much from the Sun, like light and energy. But when the Sun is just too much, the magnetosphere works as a shield to help to protect Earth.

Aurora Art Activity

Learn the science behind the colorful light displays known as the auroras by creating your own aurora art. Meet scientist Nick Zaremba and ask him questions about the science of auroras.

4. Community Art Activity

Do you remember your first solar eclipse? Have you ever seen the Northern or Southern Lights? Share your solar story with us through words or drawings!

5. Acapella Performance
Performances at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:30 pm

Listen to the high-energy vocal stylings of The Chromatics as they sing astronomically correct songs about space science and technology.

6. Planetarium Shows
Shows at 10:30 am and 11:30 am
Free, 30 minutes long

Watch a live, guided tour of the night sky, focusing on the work of the Parker Solar Probe. The facilitator will answer questions from the audience! 
*Free tickets are available at the box office on the second floor. Please arrive ten minutes before the start time for seating. 

7. Discovery Station: Solar Dynamics Observatory

Observe the Sun through the ultraviolet (UV) "eyes" of NASA's SDO spacecraft. Since the Sun is at solar maximum this year, you might see an eruption of gas, dark sunspots, or other bursts of energy and matter!

8. Meet an Expert: NASA and the Parker Solar Probe

Join the Parker Solar Probe team from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab—where the spacecraft was built and is operated today. Enjoy photo opportunities, activities and outreach materials, and learn more about the science and engineering of the mission to “touch the Sun!”

9. Draw Features of the Sun

Learn all about the Sun and how scientists study it. Practice your science skills by making observations and drawing the different features of the Sun. It’s more than just a yellow blob in the sky!

10. Understanding Solar Weather

Make models that will help illustrate and understand what is happening with solar weather from the surface of the sun to your front door!

11. Meet an Expert: NOAA Space Weather Observations

Meet National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists Jim Spann and Dimitris Vassiliadis and learn all about space weather, why it’s important, and what NOAA does regarding space weather. Find out about NOAA’s next satellite that’ll collect data from the Sun, launching this September.