Throughout the United States of America this week, excited eyes are gazing into the sky, and curious minds are exploring the reaches of the cosmos during World Space Week 2015. Declared by the UN in 1999, the annual celebration is the largest public event on the planet inspired by space exploration, space science and technology. Celebrations large and small are being held on all 7 continents, as well as online, and all space enthusiasts, professionals, students, and hobbyists alike, are invited to join an event or create one inspired by the 2015 theme “Discovery”.
World Space Week exists to foster international cooperation in space outreach and education, to educate people around the world about the benefits they receive from space, to encourage greater use of space for sustainable economic development, to demonstrate public support for space programs, and to inspire youth.
Some highlights of World Space Week planned throughout the US include:
– Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, FL hosts hands-on and educational activities Oct 2-11, including two special NASA speakers on Oct 5 and 6.
– Special screenings and the American openings of two space-themed feature films The Visit, An Alien Encounter and The Martian.
– ‘Breakfast with an Astronaut’ Dr. Leroy Chiao, Oct 10, one of several Space Foundation events.
– Journey to Mars virtual 5K Organized by the Sea, Earth, and Space Summit. First 100 people to register save $5 by entering code ‘Bootprint’ during registration checkout.
– Hack the Moon Hackathon and 5th International Lunar Cubes Workshop San Jose, CA. Oct 10-11 and Oct 6-9.
Global highlights include: screening The Visit at the Antarctic Concordia Station, for a research crew that is investigating some of the stressors that will be common to long-duration human spaceflight missions; and for the finale of the week, explore diverse perspectives by joining participants from around the world asking questions on Twitter about space discoveries with the Executive Directors of World Space Week and Space Generation Advisory Council #WSW2015 finale Tweet-up Oct 10, 13:00-15:00 GMT.
About World Space Week: World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations with the support of the World Space Week Association (WSWA).
