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Astronomy Night – Blast Off! Physics of Space Travel and the New Moon
April 17 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, April 17, 2026
6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Discovery Theater and Great Lawn
Prepare for an out-of-this-world experience at Astronomy Night – Blast Off! Physics of Space Travel and the New Moon. This exciting evening program invites guests of all ages to explore the science behind space travel while celebrating the wonders of the night sky in anticipation of the upcoming Artemis II launch.
Guests will witness an explosive liquid nitrogen rocket demonstration and then design, build and launch their own water-powered rockets. Inside the Discovery Theater, attendees can enjoy an engaging program focused on the phases of the Moon and the history of lunar exploration. The evening will also feature presentations from Dr. Lionel Crews and Dr. Jason Alexander of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s astronomy and physics departments, offering expert insight into the science of space. In the event of rain, rocket activities will move indoors, where participants will build rockets to take home and launch later.
Program Times:
New Moon in the Discovery Theater
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Physics of Rockets in the Great Lawn
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
You will discover:
- The physics principles behind space travel and rocket launches
- How to design and build a water-powered rocket
- The phases of the Moon and the history of lunar exploration
- Insights from university astronomy and physics experts
This event is part of Passport to the Universe, Discovery Park’s ongoing astronomy series. This is the fourth class of the year, and guests who attend five or more classes in 2026 will receive a commemorative patch. Participants are encouraged to bring their passports if they already have one.
Passport to the Universe is a free program and open to all.