Yuri's Night PortsmouthFriday, April 216-10pmPartially seated$15 Admission

Get "spaced out” at Yuri’s Night Portsmouth: a social, educational, and artistic celebration of humanity's first steps into the “final frontier."

It was April 12, 1961 when the first human (Yuri Gagarin) was shot into space completing one lap around the Earth and firing the imagination of humans around the world. Twenty years later on April 12th, 1981, the first Space Shuttle mission launched! Looking back since that first day, we’ve landed humans on the moon, explored the outer reaches of the solar system, and are talking about the possibility of a real “warp” drive—currently under study at NASA-- that could one day take us to the stars.

So make plans to join us for an evening of fun and exploration featuring real astrophysicists, rocket scientists and astronomers. On tap for the evening are special speakers talking about our future in space, short videos featuring current and future missions to the beyond.

A free giveaway will be held in between speakers, so dress in out-of-this-world attire and bring your friends!

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About the speakers:

Rich Nugent has been an avid amateur astronomer since the 1960’s and has enjoyed observing satellites ever since. A retired chemist/chemistry teacher, he is a past-President of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston and loves to spend time observing all types of celestial objects within the reach of his telescopes.

Observing Satellites

Ever since October 4, 1957 thousands of man-made objects have been circling the Earth. From tiny cube sats to the International Space Station, satellites can be observed nightly from almost anywhere. This presentation gives a brief overview of their history, orbits and visibility, and showcases fascinating examples of satellites visible with the unaided eyes, binoculars and telescopes. While no homework will be given, internet resources will be provided for this interested in observing these amazing objects!

TSgt Nicholas Pack is a Technical Sergeant in the United States Space Force. He has been in the Air Force for over thirteen years, with ten of those years working with aerospace propulsion systems for fighter aircraft! He is an avid traveler with having been to over 20 countries and also lived in Japan for six years.

The Mission of Space Force

While a relatively new branch of the Armed Forces, the work that Space Force has been performing has existed for decades. The United States Space Force is responsible for everything from the US missile warning system, the space surveillance network, satellite communications and even spacecraft. In this presentation, you’ll find out about their primary mission along with cyber operations and exciting launches that are happening this year! The Sky Is No Limit -- Semper Supra!

Stacey Severn has had a rollercoaster of a space career! While currently a manager for a certain local astronaut (along with being a kick-ass award-winning real estate agent), she has previously been a social media coordinator for StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, cofounder of The Spaceflight Group, organizer of the Space Stories program at The Explorers Club and is a freelance space/science writer. Her writing and photos have appeared in Forbes, Bloomberg, The Huffington Post, Space.com among many other platforms.

Astronaut Wrangling

What’s harder than wrangling engineers? Wrangling astronauts! Welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at what goes in to running a show like StarTalk as well as supporting astronauts in their STEM endeavors.

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About the Organizer

Caleigh MacPherson is a local NASA Ambassador and mechanical engineer who previously worked on the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) satellite mission. She is a co-founder of the Astro Advocates and Allies group, which aims to prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the space industry. She has been honored as one of the state’s Rising Star Young Professionals, 40 under Forty, and 10 to Watch award winners for her STEM volunteer work. She currently works as a Program Manager in the defense industry, and attends rocket launches any chance she gets.

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