Fun Science Friday: Dark Skies

Fun Science Friday is back at the Clark Planetarium on Friday, November 13, as part of the ongoing series of free, drop-in programs for all ages. This particular session is titled Dark Skies, and it's run in partnership with Salt Lake County. The whole thing takes place in the Clark Planetarium Learning Space, 130 South 400 West, in downtown Salt Lake City.

Each Fun Science Friday pairs a science theme with hands-on activities, and Dark Skies is no exception. The session invites you to turn down the lights and rediscover the night sky, with a focus on how artificial light affects our skies, wildlife, and health. From there, it opens up to the bigger picture: how to see the universe and where we fit into it. It's the kind of thing that works as well for a curious adult as it does for a kid, so it's a good one to bring the whole family along for.

If you've been before, you know the drill: it's a drop-in program, so you don't have to be there right when it opens to get the full experience. Each session runs for about four hours, giving you plenty of time to work through the activities at your own pace. The Dark Skies edition is part of a wider series that has touched on everything from bridge engineering to origami and spooky circuits, so if you've missed a few, this is a fine place to jump back in.

It runs from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, with doors opening at 2:30 PM. Admission is free for all ages, and since it's a drop-in, you can come and go as you please within that window. Just keep in mind that while the program itself doesn't cost anything, parking is paid.