Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM) in Washington, D.C., offers visitors a free guided tour of the sky on Saturday, June 22, from 6-11 p.m., and is organized by Dr. Donald Lubowich, Hofstra’s Coordinator of Astronomy Outreach. AFNM features solar, optical, and radio telescope observations; hands-on activities, demonstrations, handouts, posters, banners, and videos; speakers from scientific and educational organizations, and a chance to mingle with astronomers. Dr. Lubowich and local amateur astronomers will set up dozens of telescopes on the National Mall.
AFNM visitors will meet representatives from 40 of the nation’s foremost scientific institutions, organizations, and universities, who will present exciting demonstrations and answer questions about the latest astronomical discoveries and careers in science. Starting at 6 p.m., visitors will be able to view sunspots with the help of specially filtered telescopes. After dusk and until 11 p.m., telescopes will provide close-up views of colorful double stars, nebulae, and star clusters that sparkle like diamonds on black velvet.
