FROM:           THE INTREPID SEA, AIR, & SPACE MUSEUM
                        West 46th Street and 12th Avenue at Hudson River Park
                        www.intrepidmuseum.org

CONTACT:    Rubenstin Communications, Inc., Public Relations
                      Mike Stouber — (212) 843-9381 / mstouber@rubenstein.com

                       Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
                       Ashley Allen – (646) 381-5292 / aallen@intrepidmuseum.org

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will host their free Family Astronomy Night after-hours stargazing and speaker series from July–October 2017. Family Astronomy Nights are held on July 14, July 28, August 4 and October 20 at the Intrepid Museum located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue). Doors open 6:45pm, talks begin at 7:30pm.

Family Astronomy Nights feature fun-filled and educational experiences for the whole family, including talks from leading scientists and activities from the Intrepid Museum’s Education Department. Local astronomers will be on hand with their high-powered telescopes to help visitors navigate the night sky and answer questions about astronomy and star-gazing. Guests are welcome to bring their own binoculars or look through the telescopes of the experts.

The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited; entry is first come, first served. For more information, please visit www.intrepidmuseum.org.

The 2017 Family Astronomy Night series includes:

Friday, July 14: Amber Straughn Infant Galaxies to Alien Atmospheres: NASA’s James Webb Telescope
Dr. Amber Straughn is an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and a member of the Project Science Team for the James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2018. This next-generation telescope will peer deeper into the universe than even the mighty Hubble. It will search for the first galaxies born after the big bang and look into the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars—unprecedented capabilities that may revolutionize astronomy and our understanding of the universe.

Friday, July 28: Matei Ciocarlie MyHand: A Robotic Glove Prototype
Engineers at Columbia University are developing a robotic glove with applications across a variety of fields and occupations. Hear about their research, and see a demonstration of the latest prototypes. This work is a collaboration between labs in Columbia University’s Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine. Presenters: Matei Ciocarlie, Cassie Meeker and Sangwoo Park (Columbia University Mechanical Engineering Department); Lauri Bishop and Lynne Webber (Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine)

Friday, August 4: Mimi Aung Designing a Drone Helicopter for Mars
Mimi Aung is the project manager for the Mars Helicopter at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). She will discuss the many challenges in designing a helicopter drone that one day may fly on Mars. Researchers at JPL are using advances in drone technology to design a small flying Martian robot to act as a scout flying ahead of the rover looking for safe routes and features to study.

Friday, October 20: Noah Petro Shining New Light on the Moon
Dr. Amber Straughn is an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and a member of the Project Science Team for the James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2018. This next-generation telescope will peer deeper into the universe than even the mighty Hubble. It will search for the first galaxies born after the big bang and look into the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars—unprecedented capabilities that may revolutionize astronomy and our understanding of the universe.

DATE:                 Fridays July 14, July 28, August 4 and October 20

TIME:                 7:30pm; doors open at 6:45pm

LOCATION:      Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
                             Pier 86, (46th Street and 12th Avenue)
                             Manhattan

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About the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery.

The Intrepid Museum fulfills its mission to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth by connecting them to history through hands-on exploration while bridging the future by inspiring innovation.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Museum Hours:
April 1–October 31:
Monday–Friday, 10:00am–5:00pm
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00am–6:00pm


November 1–March 31:
Monday–Sunday, 10:00am–5:00pm

Museum Cost of Admission:
Adult: $33.00
Seniors (65+): $31.00
Child (5–12): $24.00
Children under 5: Free
*NYC Resident Admission (includes five boroughs):
Adults and seniors: $19
Child (5–12): $17
*Retired and Active U.S. Military and U.S. Veterans: Free

Free admission for U.S. military and veterans generously provided by Bank of America.
*Proper ID required.

Tickets are available for purchase on the Intrepid Museum website, www.intrepidmuseum.org.

Location:
Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue), Manhattan

Public Transportation:
Directions by NYC Metro Bus:
Take cross-town buses west. M34 (34th St.), M42 (42nd St.) or M50 (49th St.) to 12th Ave. and Hudson River. Intrepid is a short walk north from the M34 and M42. The M50 drops off directly in front of the Intrepid Museum.

Directions by NYC Metro Subway:
Take the A, C, E, N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3 or 7 train to 42nd St., then walk or take the M42 West bus to Hudson River (12th Ave). Walk north to Intrepid.

Directions from water:
Take New York Water Taxi to Pier 84 and walk one block north to the Intrepid Museum. From New Jersey, take the New York Waterway to Midtown (38th St.) and walk north on 12th Avenue to the Museum.