Astronomical Society of the Pacific

💫Conference sponsor appreciation post!💫

These two organizations both have fantastic missions and we'd like to thank them for sponsoring our annual conference, Astro Society 2026: Astronomy@250.

DarkSky International is a prominent player in protecting our ability to view and enjoy dark skies free from intrusive light pollution. They certify and help conserve starry sky parks and other places around the world. Dark Sky also informs the public about how excessive light pollution can harm humans, wildlife, and our climate. 🌌

Our second sponsor today, the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), advances understanding of the solar system by providing exceptional science, service, and inspiration to the world. They serve as a scientific forum, attracting world-class visiting scientists and providing information to support NASA's exploration of the solar system. 🪐

Join Dark Sky and LPI for our virtual conference, August 27-29 - registration is open until we begin on August 27! 📲

Today we're spotlighting the second of our five conference tracks - People Who Changed Astronomy. This track highlights the individuals, communities, and collaborations behind American accomplishments and discovery 🔭

One panel in this featured track is "Who Gets to Do Astronomy? Expanding Discovery Through Inclusion & Innovation" moderated by Dr. Raquell Holmes of Sonoma State University. We are very much looking forward to this insights and thoughtful discussion from Dr. Holmes and expert panelists! 🌠

Please note that this is a virtual conference, so you can participate from the comfort of your home, office, or classroom. Visit the l!nk in the comments below to register today💫

🙌🏻Annual conference sponsor appreciation post🙌🏻

The Astro Society thanks Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc for being one of our amazing sponsors this year. Digitalis manufactures and sells digital planetarium systems for portable and fixed domes. They believe strongly in the power of interaction, and their interfaces are designed for participatory programs. Digitalis is the leading provider of digital planetarium systems worldwide. 🔭💫

Join Digitalis for our virtual conference, August 27-29 - registration is open until we begin on August 27! 📲

What if Mars wasn't always the "Red Planet?" 🌊🔴

Billions of years ago, Mars may have looked more like Earth—a world with a vast northern ocean, flowing rivers, sandy coastlines, and perhaps even environments where life could have begun.

In this episode, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi explores the latest scientific evidence suggesting that Mars once hosted an Arctic-sized ocean. He also discusses what this ancient ocean means for the search for past life on Mars.

In this video:
⭐Why scientists now think Mars had a true ocean
⭐The latest evidence from Zhurong, orbiters, & global topography
⭐What ancient Martian coastlines reveal about the planet's past
⭐Could Mars once have supported life?
⭐What Mars teaches us about habitable exoplanets

Click the l!nk in the first c0mment below to watch this new explainer video!

If you enjoy deep dives into astronomy, planetary science, and the search for life in the universe, be sure to like, subscribe, and share!

FREE panel event to kick off our conference on Thursday, August 27 at 5pm PT/8pm ET - sign up now to secure your spot and add to your calendar!

The Astro Society is celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Nancy Grace Roman with a panel moderated by Dr. France Córdova. The panel will explore Dr. Roman’s scientific vision, leadership, philanthropy, and enduring influence on astronomy. Our esteemed panelists:

🌌Dr. Rachel Beaton of the Space Telescope Science Institute and one of our fabulous Board members
💫Jessica A. Harris, owner/founder of Jessica A. Harris, LLC, where she focuses on science education and outreach
🌒Dr. Linda Shore, former Astro Society Executive Director
🪐Dr. Meg Urry of Yale University
✨Dr. France Cordova, former National Science Foundation (NSF) Director

Join us - this panel takes place just a few days before the scheduled launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, so let's raise a glass to our next great window into the cosmos! L!nk in comments to our Zoom Webinar signup page📲

🙌🏻Annual conference sponsor appreciation post🙌🏻

The Astro Society thanks STARtorialist for being one of our amazing sponsors this year. Their clothing, accessories, home, & office items let us show off our passion for astronomy in style! 🔭💫

Join Startorialist for our virtual conference, August 27-29 - registration is open and early bird pricing is in effect until July 31! 📲

Today we're spotlighting the first of five conference tracks - Ancient Skies, New Nation. This track highlights the culture and knowledge present at the founding of the United States, focusing on Indigenous traditions and knowledge surrounding astronomy and still-practiced techniques for wayfinding and other uses of the stars. Pictured below, the Scorpius constellation is bright, easy-to-spot, and points in a south/southeast direction, and is a prominent wayfinding navigation tool.🔭

One panel in this featured track is "Knowing the Sky: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Many Ways We Came to Understand the Cosmos," and so far includes host Jameeka Marshall of UC Santa Cruz, Ka'iulani Murphy of the University of Hawaii, and Hilding Neilson of Memorial University of Newfoundland. We are very much looking forward to their insights and thoughtful discussion! 🌠

Our last day for early bird registration is this Friday, July 31. Get your tickets before prices increase! Please note that this is a virtual conference, so you can participate from the comfort of your home, office, or classroom. Visit the l!nk in the comments below to register today💫

TOMORROW! Free live YouTube webinar from the NASA Night Sky Network on how to host your own International Observe the Moon Night event - chat with our experts at 6pm PT/9pm ET!

🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘

In five days, join the NASA Night Sky Network and our staff for a FREE webinar on International Observe the Moon Night 🌖🌝

On Tuesday, July 28, at 6:00pm PT/9:00pm ET, experienced event hosts will provide all the info about this global observing program, how you can get involved, and program resources available to event hosts this year. This webinar will prepare you to hold a great International Observe the Moon Night event on September 19, 2026, when we invite the world to look up and celebrate Moon joy!

There are many ways to observe, and many ways to get involved - this year there are new Moon maps, advertising materials, and social media shareables. Don't miss out 💫

L1nk below to the NSN YouTube channel 📺 so you can mark your calendar!

A new episode of Astro Beat is live on YouTube! 📣📣

If there is water...is there life? Astro Society CEO Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi takes a look at our local neighborhood (our solar system!) and which celestial bodies contain water. Scientists now believe that Mars once held a giant ocean, and with it, the possibility of life. 🌏💧

Come with us and dive into the evidence that the Red Planet was once a blue world — and what that means for the search for life, not just on Mars, but on planets across the galaxy.

Be sure to like and subscribe on our new channel - as always, the direct l!nk is in the comments. Happy Friday! ✨🌌