May Star Party

Visit the far reaches of the universe in the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan planetarium, catch a glimpse of the diversity of life on Earth, travel back in time to meet a woolly mammoth, tour the entire state of Minnesota, learn about U of M researchers and citizen scientists imagining a better future, and explore our outdoor living laboratory... all at Minnesota's official natural history museum on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus!

Bell Museum

Join us at the Bell for our next star party!  Outside, we'll have our telescopes set up to observe our favorite deep space objects (weather permitting). Inside, our expert astronomy team will guide you through the night sky and highlight cosmic sights in our planetarium and you can explore different hands-on activities.  PLEASE NOTE: Your EventBrite registration is not a planetarium show ticket. You can retrieve a planetarium ticket from the front desk at the Star Party. FAQWhat is a Star Party?A Star Party is an evening of astronomical celebration, exploration, and fun. At a Star Party, you’ll find hands-on activities and demonstrations from Bell educators and community partners throughout the museum. If there are clear skies, you will be able to look through high-powered telescopes at astronomical objects. Additionally, there are typically free planetarium shows that are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Oftentimes, Star Parties have special themes or topics.What time should I be there?There is no official “start” to the party—you can drop in anytime during the window of time listed above.Will there be planetarium shows?Yes, tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. PLEASE NOTE: Your EventBrite registration is not a planetarium show ticket. You can retrieve a planetarium ticket from the front desk at the Star Party.Is the event weather dependent?The event is rain or shine, however, the telescopes are not. If there is rain or cloudy skies, there will not be telescopes outside—but there will be plenty to see inside the museum!Will this event also be offered virtually?This event is only offered in-person and not virtually. If you are looking for virtual astronomy content, you can check out some of our pre-recorded Virtual Star Parties on our YouTube channel!Is there parking?Alternate parking for star parties is available in lots SC171 and SC175, with a shuttle running between those lots and the Bell.

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May Star Party

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May Star Party

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Discover more events from Bell Museum, from Science & Tech to other experiences you might love.

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