Trenton, NJ - The New Jersey State Museum presents “Science Under the Stars,” a free monthly lecture series held on Saturdays in the Planetarium. Experts from throughout the region share their work in astronomy, earth science and other science topics. All talks begin at 4:15 pm. Although the programs are free, space is limited. Those interested in attending should complete the registration form, available on the Museum website under the Events/Upcoming Events page at statemuseum.nj.gov.

Assistant Curator of Planetarium Education Dr. Jacob Hamer organized the series as a way to engage the public through informative talks on current science topics, especially those related to astronomy. According to Dr. Hamer, “The planetarium brings astronomy to life and allows us to provide an immersive visual experience for the topics covered in this series. In this setting, I wanted to give local experts the opportunity to share the work they’re passionate about with the public, and give the public the chance to meet experts and ask them any burning questions they may have.”

The next talk will be on June 29; Zachary Gelles of Princeton University will discuss what can be learned from images of black holes. Additional dates and topics are available on the Museum website.

The New Jersey State Museum is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:45 pm; closed on all State holidays. General admission is free; there is a fee for Planetarium shows. For additional information visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov, like the Museum’s Facebook page (@NJStateMuseum), and follow us on X (njstatemuseum), Instagram (nj_statemuseum), Threads (nj_statemuseum) and YouTube (@newjerseystatemuseum1895.)

About the New Jersey State Museum
Located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, the New Jersey State Museum encompasses three buildings including a state-of-the-art Planetarium and holds over 2 million artifacts in its collections in Archaeology/Ethnography, Cultural History, Fine Art and Natural History. The New Jersey State Museum is a center for the exploration of science, history and the arts. We preserve and share stories that inspire curiosity and creativity for the enrichment of our communities. The New Jersey State Museum is a Division of the New Jersey Department of State, and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

About the New Jersey State Museum Foundation
The New Jersey State Museum Foundation was founded in 1968 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to support the Museum's collections, exhibitions and programs through fundraising, volunteerism, advocacy and marketing. In recent years, the Foundation has received generous support from the PNC Foundation, NJM Insurance Group, Department of State/New Jersey Historical Commission, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, The Henry Luce Foundation, The Capstone Foundation and Princeton Area Community Foundation. The Foundation also operates the Museum membership program, as well as the Museum Shop, which sells merchandise related to the Museum's exhibitions, collections, and New Jersey history and culture. Proceeds support the New Jersey State Museum's collections, exhibitions and programs.