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Astronomy Online: Grand Tour of the Universe

Part of Astronomy Online

Friday, March 5, 2021

Rendering of space with circular highlights around specific areas of the universe. © AMNH
We all know we live on the third planet from the Sun, but where are we in the universe?

Blast off from Earth and take a grand tour to the farthest reaches of the observable universe with Assistant Director of the Hayden Planetarium Brian Abbott and astrophysics educator Irene Pease. Along the way, explore the nearby exoplanets, see where Earth is located in the Milky Way Galaxy, and discover why as we look farther out into space, we see further back in time to earlier epochs of the universe.

How to Watch
Join the YouTube livestream on Friday, March 5, at 1 pm ET. 

Assignment Idea for Educators: 
During this grand tour of the universe, Brian Abbott will reveal answers to the following cosmic queries:

  • What is a light-year? 
  • How many miles does light travel in a second? 
  • How long does light take to travel from the following places to Earth?
    • Our moon
    • Our sun 
    • Alpha Centauri 
    • The Andromeda galaxy 
    • The Virgo Cluster

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Support for Hayden Planetarium Programs is provided by the Horace W. Goldsmith Endowment Fund.