By Chelsea Post, Systems Librarian

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and realized just how small you are in the grand scheme of things? No? Just me? Well, whether you’ve contemplated your place in the universe or not, there’s no denying that there is something majestic about outer space and the galaxy we find ourselves in.

That’s why we’re taking this time to celebrate World Space Week from October 4-10. This year’s specific theme is Space and Sustainability, “inspired by how sustainability in space relates to how humanity uses space, most pressingly, the orbital area surrounding Earth-itself a finite resource.”

Below you’ll find some resources and activities that are truly out of this world.

• First off, let’s talk about one of the library’s hidden gems, World News Research Collection, otherwise known as “Newsbank.” Here you’ll find a multitude of newspapers, both local and international, where you can read up on the current news across the globe. However, in honor of World Space Week, Newsbank has created a special report where you can read up on stories from both this planet and beyond.
• Next, there’s a number of fantastic books on astronomy and space, curated in part thanks to Dr. David Bradstreet, our very own binary star expert! You can find them on the upper level of the library in the atrium underneath the Library of Congress call number “QB,” but here’s a few select book covers as a quick sample.

• Did you know that we have a planetarium? The Julia Fowler Planetarium is housed atop McInnis Hall and has hosted public events in the past, including the wildly popular Star of Bethlehem Christmas Show. To find out about any upcoming events, reach out to Steve Sanders at ssander2@eastern.edu.
• Of course, you can always leave campus to find some extra space! Hop on a train and head for The Franklin Institute to see their extensive exhibits on astronomy, or get on another train to go to The Smithsonian. If you head to either museum, take pics and tag us to let us know you went and what you learned!
• Lastly, and this might seem a bit silly, but we suggest simply heading outside at night and looking up. See if you can spot the Cassiopeia and Perseus constellations, or see how many craters you can find on the moon (hint: on Friday, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see Crater Copernicus!). Then wrap up with a good space movie: we recommend one of these.