Danville Veterans Host Pop-Up Space Museum, Veterans Day Ceremony

DANVILLE, CA — It will be a weekend recognizing both stars and wars at the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville, which is hosting both a traditional Veterans Day remembrance ceremony (with a former astronaut as a keynote speaker), and a pop-up museum on space and robotics.

The Space & Robotics Museum will open Friday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building at 400 Hartz Avenue. The free exhibit will offer a number of astronomically cool lectures and exhibits, including:

• A drone demonstration by the Danville Police Department (1-3 p.m.)
• Las Positas College Physics and Astronomy Professor Jennifer Siders demonstrating how to make a “pocket solar system.”
• Bob Schiff, an astrophotographer who regularly submits his incredible photos to Patch, demonstrating his equipment and how he can photograph planets, comets, nebulae, and galaxies from his backyard.
• Interactive drone of “Star Wars” favorite R2D2.
• Students from local high school and Diablo Valley College robotics programs demonstrate their creations.
• Joe Martinez with American Rocketry Challenge models.
• David Nielsen with a number of space artifacts.
• Hands-on children’s activities from Quest Science Center.
• Display on women in space.
• Display on STEM Barbies.

The museum will be open Friday and Saturday from 9-5, and Sunday from 10-3.

Veterans Day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Building hosted by the Danville Town Council. The Veterans Day observance in the Community Hall will begin at 11 a.m., and feature a talk from James “Ox” van Hoften, a retired U.S. Navy officer, aviator, and former NASA astronaut who spent a total of 338 hours in space. Guests will have the opportunity to ask van Hoften questions.

The Mt. Diablo Beacon Lighting Ceremony will take place Saturday at 5 p.m. outside the flagpole.

For more information, visit vmbsrv.org, call 925-362-9806, or email info@vmbsrv.org.