HUNTSVILLE – Here are some of the upcoming events at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. For more information, go to www.rocketcenter.com.

Star of Bethlehem

Dec 20, 7 P.M.

Dec 27, 7 P.M.

Experience the wonders of the season as we explore the Star of Bethlehem in an astronomical context on our captivating 67-foot dome screen. Balancing both science and religion, we’ll explore theories on what celestial phenomenon may have led the Magi to the Nativity more than 2,000 years ago.

https://www.rocketcenter.com/calendar/2019-12-20/star-bethlehem

A Christmas Story

Dec 21, showing at 4:30 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

Join us for our “drive-in” holiday movie series in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium, beginning Saturday, December 7th, and each Saturday evening through December 28th. Enjoy classic films in the planetarium under a dome full of stars — just like a classic drive-in movie night – only it will be warmer inside! Bring your friends and family for a cozy holiday drive-in throwback night!

“It’s the final days before Christmas in early 1940s Cleveland, and 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing from Santa Claus more than anything else: a Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle. As he trudges through the snow to school, faces the neighborhood bully and visits a malevolent department store Santa Clause, Ralphie connives, conspires and campaigns for the most fabulous Christmas present ever in this heartwarming, hysterical and sweetly nostalgic holiday film. Based on stories by Jean Sheppard.”

https://www.rocketcenter.com/holidaymovies

It’s A Wonderful Life

Dec 28, showing at 4:30 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

Join us for our “drive-in” holiday movie series in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium, beginning Saturday, December 7th, and each Saturday evening through December 28th. Enjoy classic films in the planetarium under a dome full of stars — just like a classic drive-in movie night – only it will be warmer inside! Bring your friends and family for a cozy holiday drive-in throwback night!

“A banker learns what life would have been like without him in this holiday classic.”

https://www.rocketcenter.com/holidaymovies

Apollo 8 Memorial

December 22, 2019, from 4 to 4:30 p.m
Included with admission or membership

Join the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, from 4 to 4:30 p.m., for music, carols and a candlelight reflection as we celebrate the anniversary of Apollo 8, the “Christmas Mission.” On that mission, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders became the first humans to orbit the moon. From their command module, the astronauts each read from the book of Genesis, broadcasting a message of peace and goodwill to a worldwide audience.

https://www.Rocketcenter.com/apollo8

Cocktails & Cosmos: Stars

January 10, 7 P.M.
Join us for the premiere of “Stars,” our exciting, new daily show that will begin in February. Here on Earth, stars appear as a small and faint flicker of light, but they are actually enormous balls of hot plasma whose life cycles begin and end in spectacularly violent fashion. In this show we’ll explore faraway stars as well as our own star, the sun, and the solar processes that provide us with life-sustaining necessities on Earth. Enjoy this extended cut of the show as we discover more about nebulae, supernovae, pulsars, black holes, and, of course, stars!

https://shop.rocketcenter.com/SelectEvent.aspx?Eventid=1002498

Astronomy for All: Crash Course Astronomy

January 17, 7 P.M.
Attention, beginner astronomers and amateur stargazers! If you aspire to study complex concepts and theories but need some groundwork in the nuts and bolts first, this is the show for you. You’ll learn how to find points of interest in the night sky such as constellations and deep sky objects, and then we’ll take off from Earth and explore the major bodies of our solar system up close and personal. Come explore with us as we get back to the basics.

https://shop.rocketcenter.com/SelectEvent.aspx?Eventid=1002498

Crash Course Astronomy Trivia

January 24, 7 P.M.
This month the planetarium will host a trivia night themed after our “Crash Course Astronomy” show from the previous Friday. Questions will focus on the fundamentals of astronomy—basic navigation of the night sky, any of the major bodies in the solar system, constellations visible in the winter season, etc. Anything we discuss in our crash course the week before trivia night will be fair game, so come both nights to get a leg up on your opponents!

https://shop.rocketcenter.com/SelectEvent.aspx?Eventid=1002498

Mad Scientist Bash

Jan 25, 6:30 P.M.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation proudly presents the annual Mad Scientist Bash where geek is chic! Join in the mad fun of meteorology with this year’s official mad scientist, Bob Baron. As bright as the most brilliant lightning strike, his critical weather intelligence technologies allow weather professionals to ensure improved safety, while helping private industry achieve increased efficiency through accurate weather-related decisions. In 2010, Baron received the distinguished American Meteorological Society Fellow award for outstanding contributions to atmospheric sciences.

The annual Mad Scientist Bash includes live music, themed cuisine and laboratory inspired libations fitting for the community that sent mankind to the moon. Back by popular demand, dance and show band Big Night Dynamite promises to keep guests in the groove. Proceeds from the Mad Scientist Bash benefit STEM-based children’s programs and exhibits and scholarships for Space Camp, Aviation Challenge, Space Camp Robotics and U.S. Cyber Camp.

The MSB is an event for adults.

Dress is snappy casual or Mad Scientist!

https://www.rocketcenter.com/bash

Pour Your Heart Out

Feb 14, 7 P.M.

The hottest Valentine event in town, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s sixth annual “Pour Your Heart Out” celebration, Friday, Feb. 14th. Celebrate with an evening of food, drink and live music in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, then step outside where our partners from Sloss Furnaces of Birmingham will help you create your own Valentine keepsake.

https://www.rocketcenter.com/heart