The Springfield Museums and the Springfield STARS Club present a new season of Stars Over Springfield, beginning Friday, October 4, at 7:30 pm at the Springfield Science Museum. Events continue on the first Friday of each month through May. Admission is $5 for Museum and STARS Club members and $7 for nonmembers (recommended for ages 8 and up).

The long-running beginner’s astronomy program surged in popularity last year, selling out the entire 2023-2024 season. Each evening includes a short talk by a local expert, hands-on activities or demonstrations, a full dome show in the Seymour Planetarium featuring both the historic Korkosz starball and a brand-new Zeiss projector, and stargazing in the rooftop observatory. Due to the popularity of these events, registration is required at SpringfieldMuseums.org.

October’s topic is “Getting Started in Astronomy.” The Science Museum’s astronomy team and volunteers from the STARS Club will share what sparked their love of the night sky and how budding enthusiasts can begin to explore the study of celestial objects like planets, stars, galaxies, comets, and black holes, as well as the phenomena that occur in the cosmos.

The Thursday, November 1, program brings the features of the Moon into focus. Using the Science Museum’s 20-inch rooftop telescope, attendees can zoom in on seas, mountain ranges, and of course, craters. Richard Sanderson, Adjunct Curator of Physical Science, will share his own iPhone photos of the moon and explain what creates the moon’s stunning surface.

On Friday, December 6, the STARS Club will explore the properties of stars along with the shapes and patterns they create in the sky, known as constellations.

Springfield Telescope and Reflector Society (STARS), founded 1934, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Its mission is to inform and motivate people of all ages and backgrounds in the mysteries and science of space at all levels, near and far.

MassMutual is the season sponsor of the Springfield Museums.