Gail Borden to host 'Discover Space: A Cosmic Journey' exhibit opens April 15
Get ready to blast off into another galaxy with an out-of-this-world space exhibit from April 15 through July 5 at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
The "Discover Space: A Cosmic Journey" exhibit will open at 4 p.m. Friday, April 15, with two very special speakers - Elgin's own Hal Getzelman, an Elgin High School graduate and International Space Station Capcom Chief Engineer, and John Palmer, a special effects expert who has worked on space-themed movies such as "The Martian" and "Apollo 13."
At the opening, Getzelman will discuss how a young boy from Elgin grew up to become a fighter pilot, and then on to work for NASA, communicating with the crew aboard the International Space Station. Getzelman was the Lead Capcom for Expeditions 12, 20 and for Shuttle Missions STS 120 and 130.
John Palmer is the director of special projects for Global Effects, which creates props, costumes, armor, miniatures, sets, creatures and makeup effects for TV, movies and museums. Most recently he and Global contributed to "Bridge of Spies" and "The Martian." Palmer will talk about his more than 30 years of work in the film industry. His career has showcased his talent for special and visual effects, tricks, rigs and gags, stop motion and motion control.
"Discover Space: A Cosmic Journey" will give library visitors the opportunity to learn about the search for planets beyond our solar system, asteroids and comets, Mars exploration, the formation of planetary systems, and solar storms and their impact on Earth. This free exhibit for future astronauts and families offers hands-on activities.
Step in front of a green screen to give a weather report from various locations in our solar system at the "Solar System Weather Report Station."
Hosted by an alien, the Discover Space Quiz Show will test your knowledge of space science and astronomy.
Travel on a journey to Mars and back in the "Mission to Mars" kiosk.
There also will be meteorite displays, space rocks kiosk and more.
The exhibit also features from NASA - a lunar sample (moon rock) gathered from the Apollo 15 mission, an EVA space suite sample, a space shuttle tire and many models. Thank you to NASA locations in Cleveland, Ohio and Hunstville, Alabama! There also will be a lunar excursion model interior from Global Effects in California on display as well as Starlab, an inflatable portable planetarium. Starlab's schedule will be published in the next few weeks.
To pair hand-in-hand with the library's summer reading theme, "Mission: Read," blasting off on May 15 through July 30, Gail Borden Library also will have a moon rock on display, an interactive Star Lab, a model of a Lunar Excursion Module, life-size astronaut Buzz Aldrin as he walked on the moon, rocket and other space models as well as an astronaut photo opportunity with an International Space Station background.
Elgin area students can watch a live NASA TV video downlink with astronaut Kate Rubins on the International Space Station on Thursday, June 30. It will stream live on NASA Television.
The community is encouraged to join the library on this exciting journey through space and cosmos.
For more information about the exhibit, visit www.gailborden.info/space.
"Discover Space: A Cosmic Journey," a traveling exhibition for libraries, is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and Afterschool Alliance. "Discover Space" is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Local supporters include: Gail Borden Public Library Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, EFS Foundation, KCT Credit Union, Elgin Lock & Key, City of Elgin and more.