Our signature event! Browse our exhibits, enjoy an astro talk with Q&A, and view the sky through the historic Seyfert Telescope.

Mars is a familiar locale for enthusiasts of science fiction and space exploration. It has been seen as an omen of war, a lost civilization, both utopia and dystopia, and as a hope for humanity’s future. Ray Bradbury said, “Mars was a mirror, not a crystal…” a site for science fiction to reflect on society instead of predicting its future.

This talk will take a look at a few of the many fictional faces of Mars, starting with The War of the Worldsand ending with The Expanse; discussing how the way we look at this mirror is shaped by our scientific understanding of the planet, the society doing the looking, and the layers of stories we have already told.

Girish M. Duvvuri is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University. He likes to read and think about possible worlds and found a way to get paid to do it from a scientific perspective, researching how the light from small stars shapes the evolution of their planets. He indulges the literary perspective off the clock by reading, watching, and playing with speculative fiction narratives.

This talk will be held on our lovely tented back patio with the jumbo video screen. Dress for outdoor temperatures. The seating is shaded, and Dyer often enjoys a light breeze and cooler temperatures than other parts of town due to our elevation and wooded surroundings. Other evenings with similar forecasts have been quite pleasant. The talk is recommended for teens and adults.

Telescope viewings follow when weather permits.

LIVESTREAM the talk for free: https://www.youtube.com/@dyerobservers

A PROMO CODE is available for Vanderbilt students for free tickets. Please email the organizer from your vanderbilt.edu email to get the active code. Others may register without the code.

Tickets for Meet the Astronomer often sell out quickly, so please plan accordingly.

Please read carefully:

• You do not need to bring a printed ticket; there will be a guest list at the gate.
• Because this is a historic museum setting, we ask attendees to be mindful of the delicate nature of our exhibits and equipment and watch your children carefully. No running or climbing is permitted anywhere on the grounds or in the building.
• Dress in layers for maximum conformt because the telescopes are in an open dome and outside. Closed-toe footwear is suggested because of gravel on the grounds and on the roof.
• The roof is delicate. Please do not play with the gravel or drag your feet through it. Damage can easily occur.
• If your plans change and you cannot attend, you may invite someone you know to use your tickets/names for entry OR notify observatory staff to release your ticket for others.
• You and members of your group understand that we may take photos that include you for social media or other uses and that we cannot prevent you from being photographed by others.
• Please be considerate of other guests and do not hold up the line with photos through the telescope. With the attendant’s permission, you may attempt a photo after the line clears.
• Because this is Vanderbilt University property, firearms and smoking are not allowed.
• Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Accessibility:

• The exhibits on the main floor are easily accessible.
• The Seyfert Telescope is on the second floor and is only accessible by twenty steps, split by a large landing.
• Please let us know when you get your tickets if someone in your group cannot climb the stairs, so we may attempt to make some accommodation with another telescope if skies are clear enough for viewing.
• Notify the gate attendant if you have special parking needs.
• There is ample seating in the library for resting.

Address: 1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 (NOT on the main Vanderbilt campus).

Cost: $5 plus handling fees. Each person must have their own reservation. Infants do not require tickets.

There is a limit of 10 tickets per order, but you may create another order to buy more tickets.

NO TICKETS ARE SOLD AT THE DOOR. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES. THIS IS A CLEAR OR CLOUDY EVENT.

Source for graphic:NASA/ESA, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

—–FAQs—–

Should I still come if it is cloudy or bad weather?

Yes! We will only cancel the event if the weather is dangerous. We will give you the option of attending a make-up date or your money will be refunded. We always recommend checking our website before heading up for last-minute announcements.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

All ages are welcome, but we recommend age 12 and up because of the level of the talk and the fragility of the historic exhibits and instruments.

What are my transportation/parking options?

We have a large gravel parking lot in front of the observatory. There is no fee to park. We have parking attendants on hand to direct you to a spot. Ride share services are welcome.

How may I register a large group?

PUBLIC ATTENDEES: We do not have a way to register large groups and collect payment. You may have one person from your group order all of the tickets while registration is open or have each member of your group register individually. Please note that tickets sell out quickly, sometimes within hours, so plan accordingly.

VANDERBILT ATTENDEES: Please contact us BEFORE registration opens to discuss entry options.

What can I bring?

Curiosity! We also encourage a camera for taking photos which you may share to social media @dyerobservers. We ask that you not bring in food or drinks.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You may message us through Eventbrite or email dyerobservatory@vanderbilt.edu

What’s the refund policy?

Due to our fixed costs, we cannot offer refunds, but you may invite someone else to use your name at the gate for entry if you are unable to attend. We cannot transfer your ticket to another date.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. Just give the name(s) you registered under for entry. We will have a guest list at the gate.

Do you have free tickets?

We charge a small entry fee to cover our staff, supplies, and parking costs, but if the cost is burden to you or your family, we welcome you to contact us so we may arrange acommodation. Please contact us before an event sells out.

We also are frequently asked if there is a dress code. We do not have one, but we ask that you wear what would be appropriate in a setting with children. Dress comfortably. We suggest closed-toe shoes for walking through the gravel parking lot and on the roof. As the telescope domes are not heated/cooled, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. The exhibit area in the main building is climate controlled.