Saturdays & Sundays* | March 8-23 | 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain
Free to attend | No registration required
*Supplemental programming available on alternate days. See full schedule below.
Join us for an exciting and educational journey through the stars at A Universe of Wonder! This family-friendly astronomy event is designed to inspire curiosity and awe as we explore the vast and mysterious universe together. Whether you're a seasoned skywatcher or new to the world of astronomy, this event offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience of exploration and wonder for the whole family. We can’t wait to see you under the stars!
This exhibit is open for self-guided exploration from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, March 8-23. This event is FREE and requires no registration. Exhibit highlights include educational displays, interactive sky tours, a planet-builder experience, and family activities. For even more space exploration, supplemental programs, including a Speaker Series, Night Sky Viewing, and children’s programs, will be offered on alternate days. See the full schedule below!
EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Open Saturdays & Sundays, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
The exhibit is open for self-guided exploration from 1:00-5:00 p.m. During this open-house-style event, visitors can enjoy all of the following:
Educational Displays - Discover the wonders of space through engaging displays focused on our solar system, the moon, the stars, and the universe. Learn fascinating facts, see stunning visuals, and deepen your understanding of the cosmos in this interactive experience! Plus, take a walk through our Solar System and explore the planets of the Milky Way! This immersive experience brings the scale and beauty of space to life, guiding you through fascinating facts about each planet and their place in our cosmic neighborhood.
Interactive Sky Tours - Experience the night sky like never before with a Giant Augmented Reality Telescope! Courtesy of RGI Creative, this interactive telescope rotates 360° and helps you identify constellations from your location. Don’t miss this unique stargazing adventure!
Planet Builder Experience - Unleash your creativity and design your own unique planet! This interactive experience lets you customize a world, then compares its characteristics to real planets. Discover how your creation stacks up and explore the wonders of planetary science!
Family Activities - Enjoy a variety of space-themed activities for all ages! Explore the book nook (courtesy of the Lorain Public Library System), get creative with crafts, and bring the cosmos to life with coloring pages. A perfect way for families to discover the wonders of the universe together!
In addition to these activities, Starlab Experiences and Guided Learning Station activities will also be available during the event. More details and start times are listed below:
Starlab Experiences
Saturdays & Sundays,
1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m.
Crawl inside our portable planetarium to learn about space and its unique elements! Programs will focus on a new topic each weekend (The Solar System, The Moon, and Constellations & Star Stories) and will be offered with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guided Learning Stations
Saturdays & Sundays,
1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.
Engage in fun and educational kids’ crafts and activities, from creating star maps and learning about the phases of the moon to taking a hike along the Solar System Walk.
Join the Lorain Public Library on March 8 and 22 for a story about space and have some fun with hands-on activities. Join Fran Rifici from Cleveland Astronomical Society on March 9, 16, and 23 to explore space concepts through family activities. Join Suzie Dills, planetarium director at Hoover-Price Planetarium on March 15 for some moon-themed family fun.
SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS
Guest Speaker Series
“Star Lore and Night Sky Highlights”
Fri., March 7 | 3:00 p.m.
Suzie Dills (Hoover-Price Planetarium, Cleveland Astronomical Society)“Observing with Binoculars”
Fri., March 7 | 6:00 p.m.
Dan Walker (Black River Astronomical Society)“The Moon: Past, Present, Future”
Fri., March 14 | 3:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Mitch Luman (Richland Astronomical Society)“Viewing the Night Sky”
Fri., March 21 | 7:00 p.m.
Trevor Braun (Cuyahoga Astronomical Association)
Join us for an in-depth presentation about our solar system and planets. Our speaker will share their knowledge in this presentation geared to older children and adults. This program is free, and no registration is required. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the listed start time.
Night Sky Viewing
Fri., Mar. 7 | 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 21 | 8:00 p.m.
Join the Black River Astronomical Society on Friday, March 7, to see the beauty of the night sky through their powerful telescopes while BRAS members explain what you are seeing and answer questions. This program is free.
Join the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association on Friday, March 21, to see the beauty of the night sky through their powerful telescopes which may include views of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Orion and even some colored stars! CAA members will be on hand to explain what you are seeing and answer questions. This program is free.
Storytime
“The Solar System”
Fri., Mar. 7 | 10:30 a.m.“The Moon”
Fri., Mar. 14 | 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 3-8 and an adult companion are invited to join a naturalist for a story, game, and craft related to the topic of the week! As part of A Universe of Wonder, there will also be a short demonstration of the night sky and planets inside the Starlab inflatable planetarium (only for ages 3 and up). Meet at Lakeview Park's Sunset Terrace at 10:30 am. This is a free program and registration (CHILD ONLY) is required.
Full Moon Hike
Fri., March 14 | 8:00-9:00 pm
Join us during our moon-focused weekend for a full moon hike. We will meet in front of the main building, the Sunset Terrace. No registration is required. If it is cloudy, we will treat it as an after-hours night hike and hope that the moon will briefly make an appearance through a break in the clouds. If it is storming, the hike will be canceled. Due to the park being on the lake, please dress for windy weather and bring a flashlight or headlamp if you think you may need one. This hike will take place on both pavement and sand (on the beach), so please choose appropriate footwear.
Special thanks to these partnering organizations:
Black River Astronomical Society
Cleveland Astronomical Society
Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Hoover Price Planetarium
Lorain Public Library System
RGI Creative
Warren Rupp Observatory