STEM Café—Stargazing, Space Stations and Solar Eclipses

Aug. 10, 6-8:30 p.m. 

Join us from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, at Open Range Southwest Grill in Sugar Grove, Illinois, for the next STEM Café—Stargazing, Space Stations and Solar Eclipses.

Join NIU STEAM for a dazzling evening of stargazing, talks about space exploration and viewing of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Our panel of experts will introduce us to stellar science subjects. Then we’ll head outside (rain or shine) to observe the night sky with telescopes or the naked eye. We’ll provide a few telescopes, or feel free to bring your own. Food service begins 6:30 p.m., talks begin at 7 p.m.

Speakers:
• Shane Larson, Ph.D. (Research Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University) will discuss solar eclipses – including one coming up in Illinois in 2024.
• Joel Knapper (NASA Solar System Ambassador) will talk about space stations past, present and future.
• Jeremy Benson (Physics Lab Manager, Northern Illinois University) will introduce us to the Perseids and tell us what to watch for in the night sky.

Northern Illinois University STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in our everyday lives. They are offered in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association and made possible with support from Thermo Fisher Scientific and Bayer Fund.