Well friends, it’s the end of an era.
In May of 1977 I was 8 years old…I would not turn 9 until November. I was not yet the space science geek I am today…in fact, my parents loved to watch Space 1999 on television, and frankly, the creepy theremin music of that show drove me to fits. I would hide whenever it was on.
So it was not until May 1980 (when I was the ripe old age of 11 and very, very excited about space) that I saw my first Star Wars movie – The Empire Strikes Back. My friend Debbie dragged me to see it.
I was hooked. I immediately went back and saw A New Hope. I saw Empire Strikes Back in the theater over and over again (back then a matinee could be had for $3!) – George Lucas made a significant amount of money off me. I bought action figures, trading cards, fan magazines and anything else Star Wars I could get my hands on. I became a huge Luke Skywalker fan – all my friends were totally into Han Solo, but Luke was the guy for me.
At this time in my life, I was becoming a huge space geek. I fell in love with Star Wars, Star Trek, the original Hayden Planetarium (now the Rose Center for Earth and Space) and stargazing. I was just starting out in a hobby that would eventually become my career – learning about and sharing my love of the universe.
So as Rise of Skywalker wraps up its time in theaters, and the Skywalker saga comes to a close, it seems a fitting time to celebrate. And a great chance for me to bring together my current career and the original force that led me to it.
Join us on Saturday February 8 for a special Stargazing and Laser Light Night! We will of course have all the usual things – FREE night sky observing (weather permitting) and cool laser and planetarium shows throughout the evening ($6 per person each show, or see any 2 shows for $10 – members half price!), but we will also have some special costumed characters on hand from everyone’s favorite sci fi saga. Don’t miss out on the fun! And may the force be with us!
Kelly
