National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian Events Week of September 14-18: Julia Child, Prince Edward, the Global Arts Scene and More!
Monday, September 14Ah, Monday, Monday—can't trust that day. No free special events scheduled. Sometimes it just turns out that way. So check out this site for a listing of regularly-scheduled events happening at the museums. But rest assured, every other day of the week is fine.Tuesday, September ...
September 14, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Events for the Week of September 7-11: Shirley Temple, National Zoo Photo Club, V-2 Rockets and More!
Tuesday, September 8: FONZ Photo ClubIf you’re a shutterbug with a penchant for snapping shots of critters, come on out to the National Zoo and participate in the FONZ (that’s Friends Of the National Zoo for those of you who think Henry Winkler when they see the word, FONZ) photo club’s monthly mee...
September 08, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Go Back to School With the Smithsonian!
Back to school season is upon us! Students are spazzing over course schedules and the teachers they have to expand their minds. Teachers are sure to wonder what young minds they get to contend with over the course of the next school year and parents are prepping for an onslaught of PTA meetings and...
September 03, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Events for the Week of August 24-28: Transformers, Forensics, the Ipswich House and More!
Monday, August 24: Summertime, and the living is easy—there may not be any special events going on today, but there are plenty of regularly-scheduled goings-on around the Smithsonian that are sure to entertain. From animal feedings to museum tours, there’s lots of free fun to be had!Tuesday, August...
August 24, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Orville Wright Turns 137
Today marks the 137th birthday of Orville Wright, the younger and spunkier of the two brothers credited with inventing modern flight. Orville was only 29 years old when the brothers manned the first motorized flight in 1903.Although they were extremely intelligent, neither of the brothers graduated...
August 19, 2009 |
By Abby Callard
Spitzer Telescope Spots Cosmic Destruction
Portions of outer space are filled with gas clouds and dust that obstruct our view. Infrared astronomy, which analyzes wavelengths of light that pass through such obstructions pulls back the veil and allows us to view forms that are invisible to the naked eye.It's given us a clearer look at things ...
August 13, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Caption Writing Contest #5 – The Truth Behind the Mannequin Amputation
We had to sift through nearly 150 entries for the contest, many of them involving Tom Cruise, foot soldiers or exaggerated German accents, but we've finally crowned our winner."Stupid mannequins. ‘Nougat filling,’ my a**."Kudos to Kevin for his winning submission, which he submitted just a few hour...
August 13, 2009 |
By Jeff Campagna
Smithsonian Events for the Week of August 10-14: Peter Lorre, the Wright Flyer, Japanese Folklore and Living Portraits
Monday, August 10Sorry kids, nothing special going on today—but be sure to check out this site for a listing of regularly-scheduled goings-on around the Smithsonian. From animal feedings to museum tours, there's lots of free fun to be had!Tuesday, August 11: Visual Action: The Tale of Shuten DojiCo...
August 10, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Remember the Face on Mars?
Thirty-three years ago this week, in one of the first images sent back from Mars, people thought they detected the likeness of a human face rising from the dust of the red planet. The photo was captured by Viking 1, the first spacecraft to successfully travel to and land on Mars.The image inspired ...
July 29, 2009 |
By Ashley Luthern
Smithsonian Events for the Week of July 20-24: Apollo 11, Shadow Puppets, Ipswich House
Monday, July 20: Book SigningsThe Apollo 11 moon landing was a landmark event and has inspired authors and artists alike. Come on by the Air and Space Museum where several authors will be available to sign their books about the moon landing and tour the museum's recently-opened exhibit, Alan Bean: ...
July 20, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Alan Bean: First Artist on Another World
Today is the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, which carried Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins into history, as humans took their first steps on the moon. The National Air and Space Museum is celebrating this milestone with the opening of a new exhibition: "Alan Bean: Paint...
July 16, 2009 |
By Ashley Luthern
Weekend Events: Skateboarding, Air Force Band and the Real Thomas Jefferson
Friday, July 3: Ramp it up: Skateboard Culture in Native AmericaInterested in flips, grinds and catching air? See the skateboarders of Native America Jam perform on a mini-ramp and show why skateboarding is becoming the most popular sport in Native American culture. Free. American Indian Museum, 12...
July 02, 2009 |
By Lauren Hogan
Smithsonian Events for the Week of June 29-July3: Apollo 11, Attilla the Hun, Animals and More!
Monday, June 29: Mondays with Miss Anita: Flights of Fancy—Stories for ChildrenCome sit with Miss Anita and hear stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Free. Air and Space Museum,, 11:30 AMT...
June 29, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
National Air and Space Museum Cameos in Transformers Sequel
The Smithsonian is having a blockbuster summer, thanks to two sequels.In May, "Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian," premiered. The first feature film to use the interior of the museums has grossed more than $100 million domestically, and continues to draw audiences.Today, "Transformer...
June 26, 2009 |
By Joseph Caputo
Apollo Lunar Module Gets a Facelift
As the 40th anniversary of the moon landing nears on July 20, curators and conservators at the National Air and Space Museum are polishing up the Apollo 11 artifacts. This morning, a three-day project began to replace the gold-colored, aluminized plastic film on the Apollo 11 lunar module, located ...
June 22, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Text President Lincoln
Back in January, the New York Post reported that a 13-year-old girl in Silverado Canyon, California, sent 14,528 text messages in one month. (The average number of texts per month for 13- to 17-year-old cell phone users is 1,742.) And in March, two Pennsylvania men attempted to set a world text-mes...
June 17, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Air and Space Museum Curator Releases Book on Spacesuits
Amanda Young is on a first name basis with the spacesuits stored at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland. And it seems she ought to be. As caretaker of the suits for that last 15 years, Young has worked to preserve "Jack" (worn by Harrison "Jack" Schmitt...
June 16, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Smithsonian Events Week of June 15-19: Stamps, The Wright Flyer, Weddings and Rocknoceros
Monday, June 15: OK, so the Smithsonian is off to a slow start once again. No special, one-time-only events are scheduled for today, but have a look at a complete listing of daily events and tours here.Tuesday, June 16: Preservation in Action: First Day CoversSo, in elementary school I used to keep...
June 15, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Flag Day at the National Museum of American History
Jordan Shelton of Arvada, Colorado, winner of the National Museum of American History's O Say Can you Sing? YouTube National Anthem singing contest, will kick off the museum's Flag Day ceremonies at 10 AM today with her performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner." The museum will also be hosting a ch...
June 14, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Smithsonian Events Week of June 8-12: Night at the Museum, Godzilla and Cantemir
Monday, June 8: So, June isn't busting out all over as far as special events go, sad to say. But there are still lots of regularly-scheduled daily events happening around the mall to enrich your museum-going experience. You can see a complete listing of tours, animal feedings and educational movie ...
June 08, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
