What to Know
- Astronomy Night at the Columbia Memorial Space Center
- Friday, June 14 from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Free; enjoy the center's telescopes and/or bring your own
The last days of spring seem to boast a particular twinkle around twilight, and even if this special shine is partly imagined, we can still concur that June stargazing is particularly pleasurable.
Maybe that's because go-go-go mode has eased up, those harried days of May and the end of the school year, and breaking out a telescope to view the moon, and maybe a star cluster or two, suits the vibe.
You can usually find a free Public Star Party at Griffith Observatory once a month — the next one is gazing up from the grounds surrounding the hilltop landmark on June 15 — but there's something sparkly afoot in Downey as the weekend begins.
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It's Astronomy Night, another complimentary, pay-nothing, soak-in-the-starshine soirée. But don't turn your spaceship in the direction of Griffith Park; rather, you'll make for the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey.
The two-hour to-do is all about telescopes; the center will erect a few sky-searching scopes, but visitors are also invited to bring their own, if they'd like.
If you can't set your saucer down at the center on June 14, take heart: More nifty happenings are ahead this summer. Not only is the New Shepard Capsule on view — it's "an exact replica of the one that flies humans to space" — but Rocket Fever, a free rocket-themed celebration, lifts off on Aug. 10.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
The center is open Tuesday through Saturday. Check out further details, admission prices, and what's on view now.
