Pacific Science Center

#ThrowbackThursday to ringing in the New Year with a spectacular light show at the Space Needle, shining above our iconic arches! The way they gleamed against the night sky was the perfect way to welcome 2025 with hope, wonder, and creativity. Here's to another year of discovery and curiosity at Pacific Science Center! #PacificScienceCenter #Throwback #NYE #Arches #NewYearsMagic #Seattle #TBT #SpaceNeedle #SeattleCenter #ScienceRocks

Unveiling the Mysteries of NGC 346 with Hubble and Webb! 🌌 The massive star cluster NGC 346, located in the Small Magellanic Cloud, has been captured in stunning detail by both the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. In Hubble's view, ethereal nebulosity dominates, while Webb's infrared capabilities pierce through the clouds, revealing intricate structures resembling twisted fibers. Notably, NGC 346 has a relative lack of elements heavier than helium and hydrogen, making it a good proxy for stellar environments in the early, distant universe. Explore more breathtaking images from Webb's mission at https://lnkd.in/eY-rQWA5. 📸 : @NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Olivia C. Jones (UK ATC), Guido De Marchi (ESTEC), Margaret Meixner (USRA), Antonella Nota (ESA)

The Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the northern U.S. this New Year's Eve! A solar storm is expected to reach Earth today, potentially illuminating skies in states like Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas. For the best chance to see this natural light show, find a dark area away from city lights during the early morning hours of December 31. However, in Seattle, the forecast predicts cloudy skies with a high of 46°F (8°C) and a low of 39°F (4°C), which may hinder visibility. Remember, the Northern Lights can sometimes be captured by smartphone cameras even when not visible to the naked eye. This phenomenon is due to the Purkinje effect, where cameras can detect colors in low-light conditions better than human eyes. Learn more in this #SeattleTimes article: https://lnkd.in/gP2Auz6C

Exciting celestial events await skywatchers in January 2025! Here's what to look forward to: Jan 3 – Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks: Anticipate 20 to 30 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies. With minimal moonlight interference, it's an excellent opportunity for meteor enthusiasts. Jan 13 – Moon Occults Mars: Observers in the continental U.S. and Eastern Canada will witness the Moon passing directly in front of Mars, temporarily hiding the Red Planet from view. This event offers a unique chance to observe lunar motion in real-time. Evening Planetary Lineup: Throughout the month, enjoy a spectacular view of four bright planets—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars—aligned across the evening sky. This alignment provides a stunning visual treat for stargazers. For more details and skywatching tips from NASA, visit https://lnkd.in/gW27eYtV ✨ Happy stargazing! ✨

📚🧠 #DidYouKnow people who are good at reading have different brains? According to new research, active readers show unique brain structures and connections that make them better at processing language, recognizing patterns, and even solving problems. Here’s what sets their brains apart: ✅ More connectivity between language, memory, and visual areas. ✅ Denser gray matter in regions tied to cognition. ✅ Brain pathways strengthened by regular reading. Reading isn’t just a skill — it’s a method that unlocks creativity, empathy, and lifelong learning. Learn more in this article: https://lnkd.in/ejd9Fjme #PacificScienceCenter #ScienceNews #Neuroscience #ReadingMatters #LifelongLearning #Neuroplasticity #BrainyBodies #ScienceRocks

🧠✨ Think memory is just for brains? Think again! Scientists have discovered that other cells in our bodies can "remember" past experiences too. From immune responses to cellular behaviors, your body stores memories in more ways than one. Explore how memory extends beyond the brain in this fascinating article: https://lnkd.in/gEgxmBmU And be sure to visit our new Brainy Bodies exhibit, now open at Pacific Science Center! #PacificScienceCenter #ScienceNews #BeyondTheBrain #CellularMemory #HumanAnatomy #BrainyBodies #Neuroscience #ScienceRocks

🏀 Exciting news, PacSci fans! As of last month, our address officially changed to honor Seattle’s basketball legend, Sue Bird. While our physical location remains the same, our address now celebrates this incredible icon. It’s a slam dunk—visit us and experience science in action! 📍 Pacific Science Center is now located at: 200 Sue Bird Court N., Seattle, WA 98109 First photo courtesy of Seattle Storm. #PacificScienceCenter #SueBird #SeattleStorm #Community #SeattleCenter #ScienceForAll #ScienceRocks

This week, our Science on Wheels (SOW) team rolled into Lake Grove Elementary, bringing the wonders of outer space to life! A huge THANK YOU to our amazing SOW educators for sparking curiosity and creating an unforgettable day of learning for the students. We also want to give a shout-out to Senator Claire Wilson for stopping by to join in the fun. Your support for hands-on science education means the world! Science on Wheels is all about igniting a love for STEM wherever we go—stay tuned to see where we’re heading next! #PacificScienceCenter #ScienceOnWheels #50thAnniversary #STEM #Education #OuterSpace #Adventures #ScienceRocks

Pacific Science Center has taken a major step toward building a world-class Maker & Innovation Lab thanks to a generous $1.1 million investment from King County, WA's cultural access program, Doors Open. This project will advance creativity, hands-on learning, and innovation within our community. I encourage my LinkedIn connections to be curious about the Maker & Innovation Lab as well as the Science on Wheels outreach program that additional operating support from Doors Open will help sustain and grow. My PacSci colleagues and I are grateful to County Executive Dow Constantine, the King County Council (Rod D., Girmay Zahilay, Sarah Perry, Jorge L. Barón, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, Claudia Balducci, Pete von Reichbauer, Teresa Mosqueda, and Reagan Dunn), 4Culture Director Brian J. Carter, Inspire Washington Executive Director Manny Cawaling, and everyone who worked hard for years to make Doors Open a reality. Thanks also to Margo Vansynghel and The Seattle Times for continuing coverage of the cultural sector. Visit PacSci.org to learn more about our work to ignite curiosity throughout King County and the Pacific Northwest.

Our new #BrainyBodies exhibit is officially open to the public! 🧠✨ A heartfelt thank you to the Allen Institute, UW STEM Pals, and faculty fellows from the Quantitative Imaging for Learning, Language, & Speech (QuILLS) Lab at UW for helping us bring neuroscience to life at Pacific Science Center last weekend. It was truly inspiring to see scientists engaging with curious minds of all ages, sparking conversations about the incredible complexities of the brain. We’re thrilled to have partnered with these amazing organizations to celebrate the opening of Brainy Bodies—a hands-on exhibit that explores the wonders of the human brain. Your enthusiasm and dedication make events like this possible. Thank you for helping us share the marvels of neuroscience with our community! Sydney Floryanzia, M.S. #PacificScienceCenter #AllenInstitute #UW #STEM #MeetAScientist #BrainyBodies #Exhibit #CommunityPartners #Education #BrainPower #Neuroscience #ScienceRocks