Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

[CANCELLED] Carolina Skies
2026-01-31 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-02-01 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)

[CANCELLED] Solar System Odyssey
2026-02-01 13:30 - 14:30

[CANCELLED] The Longest Night: A Winter's Tale
2026-02-01 15:00 - 16:00

Carolina Science Cafe: The Big Bang
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Reaching back to the Big Bang from one of the highest places on Earth

Scientists are pushing to the most extreme observing sites in the world to study the universe’s most ancient light. New telescopes and cameras harness cryogenic cooling power to deploy pixels chilled to near absolute zero to study the remnants of the Big Bang. During February’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Eve Vavagiakis will introduce the cosmic microwave background and shine some light on how we use the universe as a laboratory for fundamental physics. In addition, she will discuss exciting new telescopes and what it’s like to deploy cutting-edge technologies on ancient stratovolcanoes in the Chilean Atacama Desert.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines, offering the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Eve Vavagiakis (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at Duke University and a previous postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University. In her spare time, she enjoys anything active and outdoors, especially climbing mountains, even when there aren’t telescopes on top.

See the speaker’s work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Yoga Under The Stars
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00

Supermassive Black Holes
2026-02-06 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-13 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-14 12:00 - 13:00

One Sky, Many Eyes
2026-02-06 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-02-13 16:30 - 17:30

Science For All: A Sensory Friendly Science Night
2026-02-06 18:00 - 20:00

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2026-02-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-14 10:30 - 11:30

Star Families: Celebrate the Night
2026-02-07 12:00 - 13:00

The Longest Night: A Winter's Tale
2026-02-07 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-02-08 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-14 13:30 - 14:30

Messengers of Time & Space
2026-02-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-14 15:00 - 16:00

Carolina Skies
2026-02-07 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-02-08 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-02-14 16:30 - 17:30

Solar System Odyssey
2026-02-08 13:30 - 14:30

Carolina Skies: Valentine Edition
2026-02-13 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-13 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-14 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-14 20:00 - 21:00

Saturday Science Sparks: The Science of Puppy Love
2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
(Megan Mendenhall / Office of Research Communications)

Can humans love robotic dogs?

This Valentine’s Day, experience puppy love with Spot, UNC-Chapel Hill’s very own robot dog! Take the reigns and bring this computerized canine to “life,” while discovering the inner workings of how it moves and “thinks.” With the help of UNC’s Experimental Engineering Lab (EEL) and the Interactive Robotics and Novel Technologies (IRON) Lab, you’ll be able to explore how scientists and engineers craft robots to engage with the world. Join us as these incredible labs share their work, answer your burning questions, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at life as a scientist!

Located in the Ivan R. King Gateway Gallery.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of each month!

Learn more about Saturday Science Sparks
