50th Anniversary of the Apollo 1 Spacecraft Commemorated With Vatican Observatory Director Coming to Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced some exciting news. The Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy Consolmagno is coming to Grand Rapids for a  presentation of “Discarded Worlds, Astronomical Ideas that were Almost Correct" on Saturday, February 11 at 11 a.m. Tickets are on sale now!

Astronomy is more than just observing; it’s making sense of those observations. A good theorist needs to blend knowledge of what’s been observed with a good imagination, with no fear of being wrong. Many key astronomers of the past rose to the challenge, and they were “almost” correct, which is to say, they were wrong - sometimes hilariously, sometimes heartbreakingly so. What lessens can 21st century astronomers take from these discarded images of the universe? We will all learn this and more through this presentation.

Brother Guy Consolmagno’s presentation is part of the “Roger That” Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire where, left to right in picture above, Edward White, Gus Grissom, and Grand Rapids astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, died. This event put on by the GRPM, Grand Valley State University, and Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association.

Additionally on Saturday, February 11, the Museum will offer hands-on programming
and activities for visitors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn more about space, space travel and Roger B. Chaffee. See real stellar and lunar material from NASA’s traveling education collection, including samples of the moon from Apollo astronauts, and various types of meteorite samples. Grand Valley State University Padnos College of Engineering will be interacting with visitors offering various hands-on STEM themed activities. Visitors can also see a planetarium show for a special discounted price of $2!

To learn more about all that is happening during the Roger That! Event, please visit grpm.org and gvsu.edu/rogerthat/.