Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium's Blog | Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium

Our Virtual Doors Are Open!

Posted: March 30, 2020| Category: Fairbanks Museum

You can help build a new dimension in science learning. The Fairbanks Museum just received a $20,000 challenge — every gift will be doubled during this appeal. Make your gift online today. We need your help to make the transition to a vital, virtual science education resource. Your gift… Read More

January Astronomy

Posted: December 31, 2020| Categories: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy, What's Happening

Orion becomes the center of attention in January, with his three belt stars drawing a line to the right, pointing to the red star Aldebaran, the “eye” of Taurus, the Bull. To the left, Orion’s Belt leads to the rising star Sirius – the brightest star in the night skies. … Read More

January Weather

Posted: December 31, 2020| Categories: Skywatch Almanac Weather, What's Happening

While the January Thaw may be thought of as a staple of our weather, January rarely fails to deliver the most consistently cold weather of the year. Following the shortest daylight of the year, the lengthening days are hardly enough to off-set the polar region’s continual loss of heat, helping… Read More

One Step Closer

Posted: December 23, 2020| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Museum News, What's Happening

Andrew McGregor in the Caledonian-Record: The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium is one step closer to building the first major expansion on the historic building dedicated to natural sciences. The Museum Trustees voted earlier this month to move forward with the nearly $2.5 million addition that will create a 6,000… Read More

Holiday Cheer Kits – Free to You!

Posted: December 2, 2020| Category: Fairbanks Museum

This holiday season, the Fairbanks Museum and Planetariums wants to say a heartfelt thank you to our community for your support over the past year. Through all of the uncertainty, you have continued to make this museum a place for discovery and appreciation of the natural world. Even when our… Read More

December Weather

Posted: December 1, 2020| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Skywatch Almanac Weather, What's Happening

The darkest days of the year are not helped by the fact that they are also the cloudiest. This darkness is complete across the arctic regions, and nearly so in the sub-arctic, providing an increasing source of cold air that causes the average temperatures to drop nearly 15 degrees, and… Read More

December Astronomy

Posted: December 1, 2020| Categories: Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy, What's Happening

The most stunning sight in the skies will be the “great conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn, low in the southwest in the early evening, the closest visible in 800 years! Mars remains prominent, cresting high in the south. Early risers see Venus lowering toward the horizon, lost in the Sun’s… Read More

COVID-19

Posted: November 13, 2020| Category: Fairbanks Museum

Your safety is our priority. Our doors are open to Wednesday – Sunday, 10AM – 5PM. When you visit, we ask you to wear a face covering, wash your hands, and maintain 6-feet distance from anyone who is not part of your group. We also ask you to fill in… Read More

Great Conjunction

Posted: November 10, 2020| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Planetarium News, Programs and Events, StarGazing

December 21, 4:00 – 5:00PM A live-stream celebration with astronomy educator Bobby Farlice-Rubio! This evening, Winter Solstice, the two largest planets in the Solar System — Jupiter and Saturn — will look closer together than they have since 1623. Once every twenty years, these giant planets come together in our… Read More

November Weather

Posted: November 2, 2020| Category: Skywatch Almanac Weather

November’s beauty is an acquired taste. After all, it would not be possible to compare it side-by-side with the foliage of October, nor of the post-card scenes of December. November’s attributes are more subtle as it truly is the transition month between fall and winter. Only the bronze of beech… Read More

November Astronomy

Posted: November 2, 2020| Categories: Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Jupiter and Saturn settle lower into the southwest, inching lower toward the horizon through the month. Mars fades a little, but continues its excellent display, climbing higher into the southeast. Just to the right of Jupiter and Saturn, Milky Way extends up to the Summer Triangle, then overhead, while the… Read More