NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Some 400 attended the Goddard Space Flight Center's third annual Yuri's Night party on April 10, celebrating humankind's achievements in space exploration.

Guests danced to beats from DJ Scientific and live music from regional music stars Bellflur. Other activities included an "Are You Smarter Than an Astronaut?" gameshow, an intergalactic fashion show, Science On a Sphere presentations, and telescope-assisted stargazing in Goddard's Rocket Garden. Special guests included retired astronaut Roger Crouch and some 20 characters from the Star Wars universe, including Imperial officers, stormtroopers, Jedi, Naboo security, Tusken raiders, a Jawa, Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and R2-D2.

Yuri's Night Photograph Sampling

Michelle Thaller, Goddard's assistant director for science communications, and R2-D2 pose in front of the Visitor Center's Science On a Sphere exhibit. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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Guests were encouraged to don "interstellar" attire for Yuri's Night. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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More Yuri's Night guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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More Yuri's Night guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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Star Wars costumers were a big hit with Yuri's Night participants. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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An Imperial officer (left) and Darth Vader stand outside the Visitor Center entrance to greet guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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Local indie rock band Bellflur. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Ed Campion
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Goddard Web Team members Rob Garner and Holly Zell dressed as Star Trek's Mr. Spock and Ensign Ro Laren. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Ed Campion
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Retired NASA astronaut Roger Crouch (right) was the special guest for the evening's trivia contest: "Are You Smarter Than a NASA Astronaut?" Credit: NASA/Goddard/Ed Campion
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The Star Wars costumers, such as bounty hunter Boba Fett, were popular subjects of guests' group photos. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum
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DJ Scientific, a.k.a. Goddard aerospace engineer Mark Branch, energized the dance floor with hip-hop music. He is pictured here with his wife, Goddard Education Specialist Trena Ferrell. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum
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Yuri's Night guests dance to music provided by DJ Scientific. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
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Star Wars Stormtroopers added an extra level of interstellar security at Yuri's Night proceedings. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum
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The dance floor was packed with space enthusiasts by the end of the evening. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum
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