Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium

10/08/2026

Do you know an artist who would love a very large canvas?

Our entrance hallway is getting new murals, and we’re inviting professional artists, illustrators, graphic designers, and secondary art classes to design them. We have two curved walls, each about 36 feet wide, to fill with the most spectacular sights in deep space. Submissions are due November 1, so if you know someone who loves both art and the night sky, send this their way.

More details: https://friendsoftheplanetarium.org/Hallway-Redesign-Project

Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

10/08/2026

From ancient impact basins and volcanic landscapes to new vantage points for observing the Universe, future human explorers on the Moon will have immeasurable opportunities for scientific discovery. Join the National Academies on Wednesday, October 21 from 1-2:30pm ET for a public briefing webinar on our new report, Human Exploration Across the Moon. During the webinar, the study committee chairs will present priority destinations for human missions beyond the lunar poles, with a focus on achieving high-value science and paving the way for future exploration.

The National Academies is convening an ad hoc committee to prioritize high-value lunar destinations—excluding the poles—for human exploration. The committee will develop a strategy that identifies key human sortie destinations and outlines the necessary in-situ measurements to achieve the goals ...

10/07/2026

October show weekend is coming up and tickets are on sale now.

Saturday, October 17
6:00 pm: Mars: The Ultimate Voyage.
What will it really take to get astronauts to the Moon, Mars, and beyond? Find out what they'll face on the journey, from staying healthy and motivated so far from home to the technical challenges of the trip and the harsh Martian environment.
https://events.humanitix.com/mars-ultimate-voyage-2026-10?c=fb

7:30 pm: Halloween: Celestial Origins.
Halloween is an astronomical holiday. This film traces its history, shows how it fits into the seasons as a "cross-quarter day," and previews which constellations and stars will be out on Halloween evening. **Premiere! This is the first screening of this film at the David M. Brown Planetarium.
https://events.humanitix.com/halloween-celestial-origins-planetarium-show?c=fb

Sunday, October 18
1:30 pm: Traveling with Light.
Light from the Sun, other stars, and galaxies is how we learn about the universe. Explore how we depend on sunlight and how we use artificial light in our daily lives.
https://events.humanitix.com/travelling-with-light-2026-10?c=fb

3:00 pm: We Are Guardians.
See how climate shapes ecosystems around the world, how satellites help us monitor our planet, and what we can do to help keep Earth healthy.
https://events.humanitix.com/we-are-guardians-2026-10?c=fb

10/07/2026

The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium is seeking to fill three vacancies on its 2027 Board of Directors. Interested candidates seeking information and an application can click to find details at the FOAP Elections web page. The deadline for submission is Nov. 15, 2026.

Promoting and supporting Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium as an accessible community resource for all people to learn, engage, and be inspired by the wonders of science and the universe. 

10/06/2026

Early this morning, the Moon passed between the Earth and Jupiter, covering, or occulting, the planet from our viewpoint. Here are a few photos taken shortly after Jupiter re-emerged from behind the Moon. In some of the images you can also see the Galilean moons in orbit around Jupiter - but you will need to enlarge the images.

10/05/2026

Tickets are now available for An Evening of History Under the Stars.

Join Arlington Historical Society and Friends of Arlington's Planetarium on Friday, October 16, from 6 to 9 pm for an evening where the past and the night sky share the spotlight: historical displays, a lecture on the planetarium's history, a fulldome film in the planetarium, and more.

Come for the history, stay for the stars, and help support both organizations' work in the Arlington community.

Tickets available at: https://events.humanitix.com/history-under-the-stars?c=fb

10/04/2026

🚀 Your weekly space updates. Read more 👇🏻

Starship: https://sou42.co/3U76XV5
FAST: https://sou42.co/3VKTqTx
X-ray: https://sou42.co/47xBJcJ
Black Hole: https://sou42.co/3TH9m8F
JUICE: https://sou42.co/4yyJWtg
Saturn: https://sou42.co/4jDhHVx

This Week in Space (Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2026)

10/04/2026

This Week In Science (September 26 – October 2)

Cancer-causing infections, a lightning-fast quantum computer, a feathered dinosaur, and much more!🧪

Links to the full articles
Cancer infections https://buff.ly/pkhhWft
IBM quantum computer https://buff.ly/eM5BlW1
Creatine strength without exercise https://buff.ly/JFPOTUx
New feathered dinosaur https://buff.ly/rmx1Sb1
Aspirin and dementia risk https://buff.ly/rD8bDGM
Superconductor for quantum computers https://buff.ly/KUnSGLE

Want the week's science news in your inbox? Sign up for Spark, our free, fact-checked newsletter here: https://buff.ly/K9L3jSv

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10/02/2026

Tonight's the night! Join us for our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with Latinas Leading Tomorrow. Tickets still available at the door and online at https://events.humanitix.com/under-the-mayan-stars?c=ig

09/28/2026

One part of our Under the Mayan Stars evening we're excited about: informal conversations with STEM professionals. This is a chance to learn about interesting STEM career paths and ask your questions in person. It's just one portion of our Hispanic Heritage Month event with Latinas Leading Tomorrow that also includes a dance performance, Spanish-language planetarium shows, and stargazing on the plaza (weather permitting). Join us on October 2, tickets available here: https://events.humanitix.com/under-the-mayan-stars?c=fb