Pluto is the Planet Featured at October 5th’s $5 First Friday

September 28th, 2018

(Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Almost 800 people learned the latest information about Pluto and the New Horizon mission during PlutoPalooza hosted by the museum Sept. 21 & 22. The scientists and engineers from NASA have left, but the informational handouts, hands-on activities, and videos they brought will be used once more for the $5 First Friday event October 5, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

The whole museum is open late on the first Friday evening of each month. Starting at 5:30 p.m., admission to the museum’s permanent exhibits is $5 per person, a $3 savings off the usual adult price.

NASA Solar System ambassador John Brandt will have a table display where he can answer questions about the dwarf planet and its comparatively large moon Charon. There will also be several fun and educational hands-on activities and videos to enjoy.  More information about the New Horizons probe can be found here: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html

“In 2015, we found out that Pluto is just as fascinating as other planets and moons in the solar system” said NMMNHS space science director Jim Greenhouse. “On Jan. 1, 2019, New Horizons will fly by Ultima Thule.  We are looking forward to our first close-up look at a typical Kuiper Belt object to see what other surprises may be waiting in the outer solar system.”

The DynaTheater will be showing Humpback Whales. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the remote islands of Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how whales communicate, sing, feed, play, and take care of their young. During First Friday, admission to this program is $5 per person. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts one hour. The DynaTheater concession stand will be open before the showing and close when the video begins.

The planetarium will present Fractal Friday at the usual times of 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. with the normal admission of: Adults $10, Seniors $7 & Children (3-12) $5. Shows typically sell out in advance, so get your tickets early on the Fractal Foundation’s website: fractalfoundation.org

The observatory’s telescope will study the planets currently visible in the night sky from 8 – 9 p.m., weather permitting. The Hope Café will be open continuously from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. that day, so you can enjoy dinner while waiting for the museum to reopen (only the café entrance will be open from 5 – 5:30).

About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science: http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org. Established in 1986, the mission of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is to preserve and interpret the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through extraordinary collections, research, exhibits, and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning. The NMMNHS offers exhibitions, programs and workshops in Geoscience, including Paleontology and Mineralogy, Bioscience and Space Science. It is the Southwest’s largest repository for fossils and includes a Planetarium and a large format 3D DynaTheater. A division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the Museum is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 1801 Mountain Road NW, northeast of Historic Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 841-2800.  Events, news releases and images about activities at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and other divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.