Transit of Venus Events

Part 1: Sunday, June 3, 2 p.m: A Transit of Venus Walking Tour presented by the Rhode Island Historical Society

Part 2: Tuesday, June 5, 6 p.m: A live telecast of the Transit of Venus and Family Fun Activities at the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. All participants will receive a complimentary pair of eclipse glasses.

On a clear June morning in 1769, a crowd gathered near a tall wooden platform, curiously watching gentlemen like Joseph Brown, his brother Moses, Stephen Hopkins and others using a telescope to observe the Transit of Venus. Two Providence streets now bear the name of their experiment: Transit Street and Planet Street. In June of 2012, don't miss the truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the Transit of Venus; it won't happen again until 2117! First on Sunday, June 3rd, learn more about the 1769 Transit on a walking tour of Providence's East Side, exploring the very site where the Transit was observed almost 250 years ago. Then, on Tuesday, June 5th, join us at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park to view the Transit via a live telecast! Eclipse glasses will be provided.

$12 per person for both events, or $8 per person for the Transit of Venus Walking Tour and $3.00 for the family event at the RWP Museum of Natural History. Kids under 12 free. Reservations for walking tour required. Tickets can be purchased in advance through www.rihs.org.

For more information, please contact Caitlin Murphy at 401-331-8575 x 28 or cmurphy@rihs.org or visit the RIHS website, http://www.rihs.org/events/?p=870.

Summer MNH Space Science Camps

Join us for these exciting space science camps during the Summer vacation!

Cosmic Cadets (Grades K-1)
Monday, July 30 - Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 9am-12pm
Cost: $60/$45 for Museum Members

MNH Space Camp (Grades 2-4)
Monday, August 6- Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Cost: $100/$75 for Museum Members

Astronaut Academy (Grades 5-7)
Wednesday, August 1- Friday, August 3, 2012
Cost: $100/$75 for Museum Members

Geological Outings:

Greenstone, Granite, and Gabbro:
Geology of Northern Cumberland
Join us as we explore the geology of the northern part of our state. We'll examine the three quarter billion year old greenstones of the Blackstone Group and the relationships of the granites and gabbros that intrude them and what they mean for the unique geologic history of Rhode Island. Collecting is allowed. Pre-registration required.

Cost: $4.00 per person
Museum Members: Free (No one under age 7 permitted)
Friday, May 25, 10:00AM
RD: Friday, June 1, 10:00AM

Beavertail Point: Revisiting Avalonia
Avalonia, the name conjuring images of Arthurian legends, is a continent lost in the mists of time. Trapped by Pangea and sundered by the Altantic, we'll see the progression from seas teeming with trilobites to the overturned and crumpled bedrock seen today.

Cost: $4.00 per person
Museum Members: Free (No one under age 7 permitted)
Thursday, June 21, 10:00AM
RD: Friday, June 22, 10:00AM

Nature Walks: Butterflies in the Park
Butterflies fluttering amidst sun-drenched meadows are a sure sign of summer. Start your summer hunting for butterflies in the sweeping lawns and hidden spaces in Roger Williams Park. Our Museum naturalist will help you discover how to find and identify these flying jewels. Pre-registration required.

Families: $5.00
Museum Members: Free
No one under age 4 permitted

Saturday, June 30, 10:00 AM
RD: Sunday July 1, 10:00 AM