April 2016: Programs and Events at the California Academy of Sciences

Big Bang: Party After Dark 2016
​Thursday, April 28 | 8:30–midnight
Ages 21 and over
​Join the California Academy of Sciences for San Francisco’s biggest party of the year! Enjoy an unforgettable night of music, dancing, entertainment, cocktails and food. This annual fundraiser supports the Academy’s mission to explore, explain, and sustain life. Tickets start at $75, but purchase by March 28 and save $25! Buy tickets here.

Incoming! New Planetarium Show
Now playing!
Morrison Planetarium
​In this brand new show narrated by George Takei, audiences will discover how asteroids and comets have collided with our planet throughout history, changing the course of life on Earth and shaping the world we know today. From the comfort of a planetarium seat, viewers will embark on a dynamic journey on the trail of asteroids and comets, get an up close look at the advanced technologies that allow scientists to detect asteroids before they reach Earth, and visualize historic space events billions of years in the making—all within an immersive, all-digital dome that brings the captivating story of our cosmic origins to life like never before.

Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lecture
​Tiny Moons around Asteroids
​Monday, April 4 | 7:30 pm
​Morrison Planetarium
​Dr. Franck Marchis, SETI Institute
​After decades of speculation, the existence of multiple asteroids—asteroids with one or several companions around them—has been observationally confirmed. Today more than 200 companions of asteroids are known, and half of them were discovered by large worldwide network of professional and amateur astronomers equipped with small and medium size telescopes. Dr. Marchis will briefly describe the technology used today that make it possible to image several multiple asteroid systems and present several NASA and ESA space mission concepts dedicated to explore these new worlds in-situ. $8 members, $10-12 non-members.

Ongoing Events at the California Academy of Sciences

​Galaxy of Worlds ​
Every 45 minutes Monday-Friday beginning at 12:40 pm; Sat-Sun beginning at 10:40 am
Hohfeld Hall ​
Learn even more about space in this live, 15-minute program, which explores how studying exoplanets (planets that orbit stars other than the Sun) has changed our understanding of how our own solar system came to be.

3D Earth: Rainforests ​
Daily | Showtimes vary ​
Explore stunning views of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest like never before with 3D Earth: Rainforests, a new, live 3D show in the Academy’s Forum Theater. From towering canopies to the lush forest floor, put on a pair of 3D glasses and follow Academy scientists as they explore the vast biodiversity within these rich, tropical environments.

Asteroid Adventure ​
Daily | 11:30 AM
​Piazza
Asteroids have shaped Earth (and the life on it) in ways that we still see today—just ask the dinosaurs! How did these impacts come to be, and how likely are asteroid encounters in the future? One way to find out is to become an asteroid yourself. Come help us “bombard Earth” and see what happens!

Junior Academy
​Monday – Friday | 10:30 am
​April 11 – May 19
​Junior Academy programs are designed to foster a curiosity about science and nature in the youngest Academy visitors! With age-appropriate programs created for toddlers and preschoolers, young learners participate in engaging, hands-on activities with the hope of creating interest that will last into their school years and beyond.The spring season of Junior Academy is for preschoolers on Mondays and toddlers (18-36 months) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Registration and program fees required. Please visit www.calacademy.org/junior-academy.