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

February Weather

Posted: January 30, 2019| Category: Skywatch Almanac Weather

While there are signs hinting at Spring – longer, sunnier days, and warmer afternoons urging the first run of maple sap in the milder sugar woods – the weather does its best to disguise such phantoms of hope. Permitting a day or two of blue skies and light winds, the… Read More

Fairbanks Museum Star Party with Kingdom Trails Association

Posted: January 25, 2019| Categories: Learning, Observing, Programs and Events

Even though the museum and planetarium are closed this week, you can still see the stars with museum staff up at Kingdom Trails this weekend. Join Bobby Farlice-Rubio and Jody Hopp after a snowshoe to share hot chocolate and take a look at the stars through telescopes on the aptly… Read More

January Weather

Posted: January 8, 2019| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Skywatch Almanac Weather

The month of January is named after the Roman god “Janus”, the two-faced deity, often associated with doors. Of course we could also apply this to January’s weather, which commands the coldest and snowiest weather most every winter. Yet within the month is winter’s contradiction, the January thaw. Though it… Read More

January Astronomy

Posted: January 8, 2019| Categories: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy, StarGazing

This month’s highlight, a total Lunar Eclipse on the night of the 21st into the 22nd. 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,… Read More

STEM Lab

Posted: January 7, 2019| Category: Learning

Grand Opening January 17! What happens when you introduce real science equipment and methods to middle-school students in a new Fairbanks STEM Lab created in partnership with New Hampshire Academy of Science? A fabulous combination of cutting-edge practices with curiosity is launched in St. Johnsbury! With support from the Argosy… Read More

Reopening February 2!

Posted: January 7, 2019| Category: Museum News

Our doors have been closed for the month, but we’ve been busier than ever making changes to our displays and our building. We do this work every year to bring out the dazzle in our exhibits and enhance your visit. We have been working on installing a lift to the… Read More

Stellar Seating

Posted: December 4, 2018| Categories: Planetarium News, What's Happening

How would you like to see your name on plush, new seating in our Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium? Your gift of $200 or more now through February 28 gives you a chance to place your name — or the name of someone you want to honor — on a fabulous… Read More

December Astronomy

Posted: December 4, 2018| Categories: Fairbanks Museum, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Through the month, Orion rises earlier each evening, and dominates the eastern sky, often identified by his line of three “belt” stars. Extending this line to the upper rights leads to the red star Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus, the Bull, while looking to the lower left, the brilliant star… Read More

December Weather

Posted: December 4, 2018| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Skywatch Almanac Weather

More so than any other month during the winter, snow is welcomed by most in December. Perhaps it is because the cliché of a white Christmas is thrust upon us with every greeting card and every holiday advertisement. But I suspect there is more to it than that. Consider the… Read More

Planetarium

Posted: November 19, 2018| Categories: Planetarium News, Programs and Events

Winter hours: Shows at 12:30 PM every day, and 3:30 PM Saturdays and Sundays. Shorter days mean more night sky and fantastic stargazing. Whether you’re seasoned or just starting to explore, take a tour through the cosmoses in our Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium. Our live presenters guide you through the visible… Read More