When
Science at Sunset: Chased by the Sun
Saturday, June 21, 2025
1601 E University Blvd.
5:30PM to 9:00PM
Join Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium for an immersive evening celebrating the science of our star. Enjoy evening access to engaging science exhibits, hands-on activities, and a special live presentation in the Eos Foundation Planetarium exploring the Sun’s dynamic influence on Earth and beyond. The evening also features a screening of Sunstruck, a stunning planetarium show that traces humanity’s long fascination with the Sun and the science behind its powerful forces. Come to Flandrau for an evening of discovery and solar science.
Image: An X-class solar flare flashes on the edge of the Sun on March 7, 2012. This image was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a type of light that is invisible to human eyes, called extreme ultraviolet light. - Credits: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO
All-inclusive ticket - $18
$12 for Flandrau members!
Your all-inclusive ticket includes:
Planetarium talk: A special presentation from Flandrau staff
Planetarium show: Sunstruck
Exhibit access: Explore all of Flandrau’s science exhibits, including the new Universe of Science
Telescope stargazing: Enjoy guided stargazing after sunset (weather permitting)
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of an X9.0 solar flare – as seen in the bright flash in the center – on Oct. 3, 2024. This is the largest flare of Solar Cycle 25 to date.
NASA
This coronal mass ejection, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, erupted on the Sun Aug. 31, 2012, traveling over 900 miles per second and sending radiation deep into space. Earth’s magnetic field shields it from radiation produced by solar events like this one, while Mars lacks that kind of shielding.
NASA/GFSC/SDO
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare peaking at 4:02 a.m. EDT on April 2, 2017, as seen in the bright flash near the sun’s upper right edge. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is typically colorized in blue.
NASA/SDO
Caption: An X-class solar flare erupted on the left side of the sun on the evening of Feb. 24, 2014. This composite image, captured at 7:59 p.m. EST, shows the sun in X-ray light with wavelengths of both 131 and 171 angstroms.
NASA/SDOEvent Schedule
5:30PM - Science Center Opens
Check in and grab your seat
Visit the front desk to get your tickets or redeem the ones you purchased online.
Please note doors will not open before 5:30PM.
6:00PM - Planetarium Presentation
7:00PM- Sunstruck
Travel back to the beginning of time and experience the birth of the Sun.
8:00PM - Telescopes on the UA Mall
Observe with us!
As long as weather cooperates, Flandrau staff will be working the telescopes aiming at points of interest in the night sky to share with event-goers.
8:00PM - Explore Science Exhibits
See yourself in Science!
9:00PM - Event Ends
Thanks for exploring the wonders of solar science with us!
Look for more Science at Sunset events in the coming months
