Join us for Mission: Mars, an Astronomy Viewing Opportunity and our limited-time Planetarium show |
On Feb. 18, NASA’s space rover Perseverance is scheduled to touch down on Mars, seeking signs of ancient life as it explores Jezero Crater. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is celebrating this historic mission all week long. Starting around 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, guests can watch the NASA livestream of the Mars landing in our West Hall. Then join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20 for Mission: Mars at the Museum. Visitors can enjoy space- and engineering-related games like an outdoor obstacle course around the solar system; a flight experiment with paper helicopters; “Shores of Jezero,” a limited-run show in The Planetarium at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; viewing the sun safely through a solar telescope and more! Guests can even have their photo taken standing next to an augmented reality projection of Perseverance! The day’s special activities are included in the price of admission. |
“The Perseverance mission is really exciting,” said Howard Hochhalter, a NASA Solar System Ambassador and Manager of The Planetarium at The Bishop. “The rover carries the most sophisticated technology we have used yet to look for evidence of life on another planet. And if the flight experiment with the Ingenuityhelicopter is successful, it will be the first time that powered, controlled flight has been attempted on another planet.” Perseverance will be exploring the 28-mile-wide Jezero Crater, which was once at the end of a large watershed that included a delta that looks remarkably like a river delta on Earth. Mission scientists chose this site because the lake that once filled Jezero Crater might have been home to microbial life billions of years ago. | Join Us for Mission: Mars >>When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 >>Where: At The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton >>Cost: Included with admission |
Don’t Miss “Shores of Jezero” |
In “Shores of Jezero” — a new Planetarium show created by The Bishop to celebrate the Perseverance landing — Museum visitors will have the opportunity to explore Jezero Crater, the site where NASA’s Perseverance rover will land. Could we find the remains of microbes that lived in the lake that was there more than 3 billion years ago? Only time will tell! The show runs Feb. 17-21 only. Don’t miss it! Showtimes10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday |
The Bishop Will Have You Seeing Stars at this Astronomy Viewing Opportunity |
Opportunities abound for astronomy fun in February! Guests are invited to join us at one of these evening viewing sessions in The Bishop’s North Plaza to use our telescopes (and the help of our astronomy experts) to view the stunning Orion Nebula, the jewel-like Pleiades star cluster, and the beautiful double-star Almach! What: Astronomy Viewing OpportunityWhen: Saturday, Feb. 20 (Rain date is Sunday, Feb. 21.)2 Start Times: We’re hosting two sessions to stay within social distancing guidelines.7-8 p.m. Registration8:15-9:15 p.m. RegistrationCost: $8 per person for members of the Discovery Society; $10 per person for all others. |
Please note: Masks are required at all in-person events for staff and guests, and we will adhere to social distancing measures. |
As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly South Florida Museum) offers fun and engaging exhibitions and programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit — and Pathways, a custom, interactive app that offers guests specially curated tours of the Museum. The Bishop includes an all-digital Planetarium — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we help rehabilitate sick or injured manatees for their return to the wild, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe, built especially for young children and their families. Our Mission: To inspire the joy of discovery and wonder for all ages through excellence in stewardship and engagement. Visit www.BishopScience.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131. |
Adults 18-64, $20 | Seniors (65+), $19 | Youth 12-17 and College Students with ID, $16 | Children 5-11, $12 | Children 4 and younger admitted free with a paying adult. Free Admission for Discovery Society Members | Florida Teachers and Active Duty military (with ID) | Museums for All participantsThanks to Our Corporate Partners:Blake Medical Center | BMO Harris Bank | Bradenton Herald | Manatee Herald-Tribune | Mosaic | NetWeave Social Networking | Northern Trust | SRQ Media | WUSF Public Media |