International Astronomy Day Comes to Tubac May 2

Tubac, Ariz. – The Village of Tubac will be a stargazer’s paradise on May 2 as astronomy buffs of all ages turn out to celebrate International Astronomy Day 2009 at La Entrada de Tubac, at the entrance to the Village of Tubac. From 11am to 10pm, the festival will offer free educational demonstrations and fun for the whole family.

Located an easy 30-minute drive south of Tucson on I-19, Tubac is an ideal spot from which to view the heavens, day or night, according to local event organizer Rori Wailes of Tubac Productions. Sonora Astronomical Society of Green Valley will be hosting Solar Observing during the day and a Star Party at Night for public nighttime viewing.

“A long list of internationally noted observatories from Southern Arizona will be participating in this event and we feel very fortunate to be able to ‘bring astronomy to the people’ in this way, just as the entire world celebrates the International Year of Astronomy,” said Wailes.

2009 has been designated the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) by the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations. It is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo. The aim of IYA is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among youth, in astronomy and science under the central theme: “The Universe: Yours to Discover”.

Participating exhibitors include Flandrau Portable Planetarium, Globe at Night/Kitt Peak National Observatory, International Dark Sky Organization, Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory, Mount Lemmon Observatory, University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory/Mirror Lab, Project Astro, Stellar Vision of Tucson, Starizona, Kent Press, Lunt Solar Systems, Meade Telescopes, and Jewelry by Earthly Delights.

In addition to activities for amateur astronomers, the May 2 event will feature Hot Air Balloon Rides, Alien Musicians, Space Food and Beverages, Raffles, Door Prizes, Astronaut Costume Photo Ops for Children, Face Painting, Jumping Space Castle and roaming Space Creatures.

Admission to International Astronomy Day, May 2 in Tubac, is free.

About Tubac
Situated in the lush Santa Cruz River Valley of south central Arizona, Tubac is a favorite destination of nature lovers, diners, shoppers, historians, artists and art collectors alike. Arizona’s original settlement, Tubac has been continuously occupied by Europeans since 1752, when Spanish colonizers established a Presidio, now the site of Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Arizona’s first park.

About La Entrada de Tubac
La Entrada de Tubac, www.laentradadetubac.com, is a collection of art galleries, Southwest specialty shops, jewelry stores, restaurants and offices at the entrance to the Village of Tubac, 30 miles south of Tucson. It is also exclusive host to the Tubac Santa Cruz Visitors Center, the Arizona tourist information center for Tubac and surrounding communities.

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Contact Information

Rori Wailes

Owner

Tubac Productions, LLC

Contact via E-mail