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Outreach Activities

The Department of Astrophysics and Astrophysics is committed to fostering community engagement and supporting a diverse range of outreach initiatives that bring the wonders of astronomy to the public.

Examples of our outreach activities include:

  • Astronomy on Tap : Connect with the community in a relaxed setting, sharing fascinating insights into astronomy over beverages.
  • EXPO Day : Showcase the excitement of astrophysics at local science fairs, offering hands-on experiences for attendees of all ages.
  • Cosmic Tours : Provide guided tours of planetarium shows to K-12 schools in the San Diego County, offering an immersive tour of the night sky and the Universe.
  • BE WISE :Partnering with the Science Fleet Center promotes Women in Science and Engineering, creating a supportive environment for inclusivity in STEM fields.
  • Barrio Logan Science and Art Festival : Engage with the community in a celebration of science and art, fostering creativity and scientific curiosity.
  • Tech Trek : Summer program of middle-school aged kids that visit the campus for activities and demonstrations designed to ignite interest in science and technology.

Everyone in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics is encouraged to participate in outreach events if interested.

People who would like to hear more about events OR receive email requests for volunteers can sign up for the outreach volunteers mailing list by sending an email to astro-outreach@ucsd.edu.

Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024

Join the UCSD Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics for on-campus eclipse viewing on Monday, April 8!  San Diego will have one of the best views of the eclipse in California, with over 50% coverage at totality!  You can see a quick video explainer about the eclipse from our department here!

Members of the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics will be set up around campus with telescopes and free eclipse glasses (first-come-first-served).  The map points out the locations where you will be able to find us in red circles (Matthews Quad, Sun God, and Revelle Plaza).  You can also join the Undergraduate Astronomy Club on Library Walk for a real-time view on a video screen (yellow circle).  Feel free to stop by, take a look through a telescope, and talk about astronomy!

The eclipse starts just after 10:00 am.  Maximum coverage occurs at 11:11 am.  The eclipse ends around 12:20 pm.

Remember, do not look directly at the sun!  Make sure to use eclipse glasses or a special eclipse viewer.  Here’s a link to some ideas for how to safely view the eclipse!

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Map courtesy of maps.ucsd.edu

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View of the eclipse from San Diego courtesy of time and date