The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History invites the public to journey beyond our atmosphere with the debut of Our Cosmic Coast, a new, hands-on Space Sciences exhibit opening Saturday, July 12.
With a community increasingly captivated by the cosmos, thanks to the Rubin Observatory’s groundbreaking photos, local NASA Solar System Ambassador-led classes, and a free talk about the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter at the museum July 10, the exhibit comes at an appropriate time.
Visitors to Our Cosmic Coast can explore the wonders of the solar system and their connection to Earth’s own history.
“The exhibit title invokes both the Central Coast as a longtime site of human wonder and appreciation for the cosmos, as well as Carl Sagan’s memorable
metaphor “the surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean,” the museum said.
The exhibit’s interactive displays invite viewers to wade into that ocean to explore the astronomical forces behind the tides, seasons, and moon phases.
“Experiential stations play the unexpected sounds of space and spark awe with authentic meteorites older than Earth’s oldest rocks,” the museum said. “Scale models of the planets convey the striking contrast in size between the rocky planets closer to the Sun and the giants of gas and ice further beyond.”
The exhibit, open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is included with regular museum admission. Members enjoy free admission year-round and a first look during the annual Members’ Party, Friday, July 11.
“Our Cosmic Coast is a collaborative effort between museum staff and astronomy experts in the community,” said Melinda Morgan-Stowell, the museum’s director of exhibits. “We’re grateful to Krissie Cook and Chuck McPartlin of the S.B. Astronomical Unit, and to Sandy Seale with Las Cumbres Observatory for their help.
“The exhibit features the amazing design and technical talents of Museum exhibits team members Dawson Escamilla, Charles Mitchell, and Jenna Savage-Davis.
“A shout out to our external partners as well, Flexhibit, Gizmo Art Production, Image Source, and Islay Events for their expert assistance.”
“Our community is more space-minded than ever,” said Luke Swetland, the museum’s president/CEO. “This exhibit brings space exploration home in a way that’s personal, playful, and deeply meaningful for all ages.”
To deepen the cosmic experience, museum visitors can attend scheduled shows in the adjacent Gladwin Planetarium and participate in solar viewing (weather permitting) at Palmer Observatory, daily 2-4 p.m. through Aug. 1.
“Whether it’s exploring black holes, tracing constellations, or traveling to distant exoplanets, I want every planetarium show to be an unforgettable journey,” said, la Jade Komasa, astronomy programs manager. “My goal as an educator is to help others see the beauty of the cosmos and our place in it,” an aim now supported by the new exhibit Komasa helped to create.
For more, visit sbnature.org/astronomy.