SpaceFest February 19, 2009

Spacefest is being held in San Diego this year at the Town and Country resort, from February 19-22. It will be the largest gathering of pioneer astronauts in the area, as well as some of the most compelling, charismatic and expert astronomy speakers on the planet. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing by Apollo 11 in 1969, and also Apollo 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 12 successfully flew that year. 2009 is also the International Year of Astronomy.

Two of the Apollo 11 crew will attend, Dr. Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Most of the 9 surviving moonwalkers will also attend.All three Apollo 9 crew members will be there for a long-awaited 40th anniversary reunion, and will also be at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.The San Diego Air & Space Museum is co-sponsor of Spacefest, and is also home to the Apollo 9 capsule (nicknamed "Gumdrop") prominently displayed in the entrance to the museum.

Dr. Carolyn Porco, the popular, outspoken imaging team leader for the Cassini-Saturn spacecraft will give a featured presentation as will Peter Smith, who heads up the Phoenix-Mars lander project. For those who think the moon landings were an elaborate hoax, Dr. Phil Plait-- author and heavily-read blogger will clearly explain the truth. Over two dozen astronomers, spacecraft managers and authors are scheduled to give presentations.

There will also be the world's largest Space Art exhibit, featuring NASA artists, as well artists from TV, movies, documentaries, books, magazines, and digital media.

A reception, banquet, luncheon, autograph show and a Thursday golf tournament will give folks a chance to share a meal and rub elbows with our celebrity guests.

Admission is $30 daily/$65 all weekend (in advance), or $50 daily/$95 for all weekend at the door. Active military cheerfully admitted for only $10/day or $20 for a military family.
Spacefest is produced by Tucson space art and astronaut autograph gallery Novaspace and the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Official Website: http://www.spacefest.info