Join lovers of astronomy from across the city for a week of FREE and family friendly space-themed events.
Our City of Astronomy events return in June 2026 to coincide with the semi-annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society taking place June 14-18 at the Pasadena Convention Center. We’ll be hosting several public science-focused events throughout the week that are free and open to all. Mark your calendars for these events below.
sunday, June 14
City of Astronomy Science Festival
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Pasadena Convention Center
We kick off our week of events with the City of Astronomy Science Festival. This afternoon will feature science demonstrations, hands-on activities, creative displays, interactive VR demos, solar telescopes, and more at the Pasadena Convention Center. Science demonstrations will include “build a comet”, “solar s’mores”, infrared cameras, radio telescopes, gravitational wave experiments, and live views of the International Space Station. We will have representatives from the major astronomy and physics institutes across Pasadena and beyond to educate and engage about the world of physics and astronomy. There will also be public-level science presentations every 30-minutes covering black holes, exoplanets, galaxies, asteroids, and more!
The event will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center. Street parking is available as well as in the paid lot across the street (under the Pasadena Paseo). Event is free and open to the public! No reservations required.
Many thanks to the DSA Radio Telescope, Caltech Astronomy, Carnegie Observatories, American Astronomical Society, and City of Pasadena for their help supporting this event.
Science Presentation Schedule
All science presentations will take place in the Pasadena Convention Center.
1:00 pm - Gabriele Vajente (LIGO)
“When Black Holes Collide”
1:30 pm - Vikram Ravi (Caltech & DSA)
“DSA: Building the World's Most Powerful Radio Telescope”
2:00 pm - Audrey Martin (Caltech)
“NASA's LUCY Mission: Tour of the Trojan Asteroids”
2:30 pm - Cameron Hummels (Caltech)
“Apollo, Artemis, and the Future of the Moon”
3:00 pm - Delina Levine (Caltech)
“Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Universe's Most Energetic Explosions”
3:30 pm - Anjali Tripathi (NASA JPL)
“The Art and Science of Exoplanet Exploration”
4:00 pm - Liam Kennedy (ISS-Above)
“Introduction to Live Earth Observation: 4k Live Video from the International Space Station”
4:30 pm - Jeff Rich (Carnegie)
“Mt. Wilson and the Discovery of Galaxies”
Monday, June 15
Astronomy on Tap
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena
Astronomy on Tap is a global phenomenon where professional astronomers give informal science talks in local bars with accompanying pub trivia and interactions with the public. Each event consists of two 20-minute public science talks, guided stargazing with telescopes, astronomy-themed pub trivia with cool prizes, and we have professional scientists on hand to discuss space science with interested audience members.
Cara Battersby, Professor of Physics, University of Connecticut
”Star Formation and Gas Flows in our Galaxy’s Center”
Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, McDonald Observatory
”Preserving Darkness in an Age of Light”
Tuesday, june 16
Astronomy on Tap
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena
Astronomy on Tap is a global phenomenon where professional astronomers give informal science talks in local bars with accompanying pub trivia and interactions with the public. Each event consists of two 20-minute public science talks, guided stargazing with telescopes, astronomy-themed pub trivia with cool prizes, and we have professional scientists on hand to discuss space science with interested audience members.
Esra Bulbul, Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
”Exploring the X-ray Universe with eROSITA”
Tom Rice, Professor of Astronomy, Research Professor of Physics, George Washington University
”What We Talk About When We Talk About Aliens”
Wednesday, june 17
Astronomy on Tap
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena
Astronomy on Tap is a global phenomenon where professional astronomers give informal science talks in local bars with accompanying pub trivia and interactions with the public. Each event consists of two 20-minute public science talks, guided stargazing with telescopes, astronomy-themed pub trivia with cool prizes, and we have professional scientists on hand to discuss space science with interested audience members.
Kyle Kremer, Professor of Astronomy, UC San Diego
”Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and White Dwarfs in Globular Clusters”
Floor Broekgaarden, Professor of Astronomy, UC San Diego
”Gravitational-Wave Paleontology: Black Holes as Cosmic Fossils”
Thursday, june 18
Tour of the Universe
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Villa Park Community Center
Carnegie Observatories, in collaboration with the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, is hosting a special edition of Tour of the Universe as a part of City of Astronomy week! Designed for kids ages 5-12, this program will feature interactive stations where they can explore space through hands-on activities with support from partners like Giant Magellan Telescope, NASA's JPL, Sky-Watchers USA, and The Planetary Society. Free and no reservations required.
Don't miss your chance to win a telescope!