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Fourth Annual George Mason University Space Day 2025 Offers Free, Interactive Exploration of Space Science and Technology

Space Day participants looking through solar telescopes.
Space Day participants looking through solar telescopes. 

George Mason University invites the public to attend George Mason Space Day 2025 on Saturday, September 20, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center on George Mason’s Fairfax campus. This free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the latest advancements in space science, technology, and policy. Attendees will also get to interact with keynote Retired NASA astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN who participated in five, and led four, Space Shuttle missions including the historic 1995 Atlantis flight —the first shuttle docking with Russia’s Mir space station. As in previous years, after Gibson’s 1 p.m. keynote, he will interact with the crowd, signing autographs and taking photos for participants in an organized meet and greet.

Event Highlights:

  • Keynote Addresses: Retired NASA astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN who participated in five, and led four, Space Shuttle missions including the historic 1995 Atlantis flight. Also, Eliad Peretz, Deputy Lead Scientist at NASA’s Heliophysics Division at Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • Tours and Shows: Guided tours of the George Mason Observatory, planetarium shows, and satellite dish.
  • Lightning Talks: Short presentations on topics including citizen science, light pollution, artificial intelligence in space exploration, and dark matter simulations.
  • Hands-On Activities: Interactive exhibits such as gravity tables, angular momentum stools, spectral tubes, and solar observations.
  • Arts and Crafts: Space-themed activities for young attendees to foster creativity and interest in space sciences.

Participating organizations include Dark Sky Friends, Dark Sky NOVA, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, ZWO, Smithsonian Associates, SPEC Innovations, various George Mason University STEM-focused departments  and more. 

Interested attendees should register now to reserve a spot and receive more detailed George Mason Space Day 2025 information. 

Astronaut talking at Space Day 2024

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.