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BoBfest 2024

January 27th

Calling all amateur astronomers! BoBfest is a FREE in-person event open to any and all who have an interest in astronomy.

This is the 32nd Annual BoBfest! BoBfest is a place for regional astronomers to gather and share in their mutual love for the stars and beyond.

BoBfest Pre-registration is now open at http://bobfest.catawbasky.org!

2024 Schedule of Events

8:30 am Doors Open


9:30 am Welcome Announcements


9:45 am Keynote Speaker #1 — Joe Heafner
Unistellar Telescope for Public Outreach!


10:30 pm Club Announcements


10:45 am Keynote Speaker #2 — Johnny Horne
The Eclipse! & Other Astrophoto Stories


11:30 am Lunchbreak Shuttle Van Available

  • Solar Viewing in Multiple Wavelengths for the April 8th, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on North Lawn weather permitting


1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Table Top Talks Round #1

  • Starscape Photography with iPhone in West Room 4 Beginner
  • Virtual Tour of Charlotte Observatory in West Room 5  Beginner or Advanced
  • Meteorite Vs. Meterwrongs in West Room 5 Beginner


2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Table Top Talks Round #2

  • Digital Astrophotography in West Room 6 Advanced
  • Hercules: A Star Story in West Room 4 Beginner
  • Solar Imaging on North Lawn or in Room #6 Beginner


3:30 – 4:00 pm Barre Spencer Memorial Astrophotography Contest

4:00 – 4:30 pm Door Prizes/Closing Remarks

Catch a Planetarium Show in Catawba Science Center's Millholland Planetarium. BoBfest attendees receive 50% their admission! Click below for times and shows available during BoBfest!

Showtimes!

Click below to check out this year's Speaker lineup!

BoBfest Program!

3:00 – 3:45 pm Barre Spencer Memorial Astrophotography Contest


4:00 pm Closing Remarks

Family Activities

Family Activities will be provided by CSC Staff & Volunteers and Patrick Beaver Memorial Library from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the West Wing Building Room 1!

Food Trucks

Learn More

Big Daddy's Kountry Cookin'

Learn More

JB's Bistro

Learn More

Dipperz Mini Donuts

For more information visit http://bobfest.catawbasky.org

Sponsored by:

Catawba Science Center

Cleveland County Astronomical Society

Catawba Valley Astronomy Club

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

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NC Science Fest SEMC ASTC
Catawba Science Center
243 Third Avenue NE
PO Box 2431
Hickory, NC 28603
Phone: (828) 322 8169
Fax: (828) 322 1585
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Catawba Science Center, located in Hickory, provides fun for all ages, and is within a short drive from Morganton, Statesville, Lenoir, Lincolnton, and Western NC.