Shanghai Astronomy Museum launched a series of observation events

To meet the public's desire for stargazing experience and to reflect the uniqueness of the science education of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum launched the "Encounter with the Stars" series of branded educational events during the "May Day" holiday to guide the public to observe the sun, moon and stars through telescopes and look up at the vast starry sky.

During the holiday, which coincided with a small peak in solar activity, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum has set up a mobile observation island - "Solar Island" - to provide visitors with the opportunity to observe the characteristics of the sun's photospheric and chromospheric layers. On May 1, 2023, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum was opened for the night and the "Roadside Astronomy" event and the Wang Shu Observatory were also opened simultaneously to the public. Two mobile "observation islands" with different themes to observe Venus and the moon were set up and different types of astronomical telescopes were built to provide the public with the opportunity to enjoy the stars at night. 

Under the guidance of Shi Wei, Director of the Network Science Popularization Department of the Exhibition and Education Center, the visitors observed near the terminator on the moon that day and saw the clear geomorphological state of the lunar surface. The event was centered around the famous Mare Imbrium, one of the largest impact craters in the solar system, and led everyone to learn about iconic landforms such as Hongwan, Jura Mountains, Plato Crater, and Chang'e-3 landing site. After this event, the participating visitors gained new knowledge and understanding of the moon and astronomical telescope observation. 

In order to bring different interactive experiences to different audience, the museum has also launched lively educational events in the Star Exploration Camp and the exhibition hall. The "Little Galileo" classroom and the "Star Partner" picture book story team up to create the "May Day" exclusive astronomy course gift package, knowledge explanation, experimental investigation, astronomical observation and hands-on production to meet the multi-sensory experience. Star Showroom, Flying over the Karman Line, Digital Twins World, Singularity Spaceship, Star Navigation, and exhibition hall events of different themes and forms were staged in turn, bringing the events loved by the visitors.