George Mason University host its third annual Space Day this weekend, offering guests the chance to hear about space exploration and the science of aerospace development from experts in the field. The event will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 28.
During this educational event, several aerospace experts will speak on topics ranging from the impacts of light pollution to the exploration of Mars, culminating in a panel that tackles the question “How do you become a space expert?”
Among the lecturers are two representatives from NASA: astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren and engineer Oleg Gouscha. Lindgren, who attended high school in Fairfax, has worked with NASA since 2007. He spent 141 days in space on Expedition 44/45 in 2015, then later commanded the Space-X Crew-4 mission in 2022, spending an additional 170 days in orbit.
Other speakers include Peter Plavchan and Peter Pachowicz, both of whom made news this summer for their work on a project that will launch an artificial star into orbit around the Earth.
Several other GMU professors, plus representatives from anti–light pollution nonprofit Dark Sky Friends and high school aerospace nonprofit Caelus Rocketry, will hold lectures throughout the day.
In addition to lectures from speakers, Space Day will have even more space-related events, such as planetarium shows, bottle rocket launches, sun viewing, and tours of the observatory.
Attendees can win raffle prizes like a new telescope, a skylight projector, and more.
Register online for the free event.
Dewberry Hall at George Mason University’s Johnson Center: 4400 University Dr., Fairfax
Feature image by Evan Cantwell, George Mason University
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