'Strange Things in the Sky' theme for Halloween Earth and Space Open House

"Strange Things in the Sky" is appropriately the theme for ASU’s next Earth & Space Open House, set to take place from 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 31, at the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV (ISTB 4) on ASU’s Tempe campus.

Visitors to the free event can attend a pair of public lectures, take in a planetarium show, gaze at the sky through telescopes, watch science demonstrations and explore the interactive displays in ISTB 4, which is located at the corner of McAllister and Terrace.

The public lectures and planetarium shows will be held in the Marston Exploration Theater. All seating is on a first-come basis.

The first public talk, given at 7:30 p.m., in room 240, is "Spooky Things in the Universe," by Teresa Ashcraft, School of Earth and Space Exploration graduate student.

The second public talk, at 8:15 p.m., in room 240, is "Ominous Comets," by Vincenzo Cataldo, School of Earth and Space Exploration graduate student.

The planetarium show is titled "Nefarious Nebulas," and is given at 7:15 p.m., and again at 8:45 p.m. in the Marston Exploration Theater.

In addition, there will be a family-friendly Halloween Costume Contest (the winner will receive a prize of a small telescope) and an opportunity to get your picture taken on Mars. Sky viewing telescopes will be set up from 8 to 10 p.m. outdoors, next to the Skyscape art installation.

To get to the open house, go to the main entrance of ISTB 4, located on the building’s north side.

The monthly open house is partially sponsored by the School of Earth and Space Exploration, GeoClub and AstroDevils: ASU Astronomy Club. For more information, visit http://earthspaceopenhouse.weebly.com or visit the school's Facebook page. The next Open Houses will be on November 21, 2014 and February 20, March 27, and April 24, 2015.

The School of Earth and Space Exploration is an academic unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.