Photographs of Goddard’s 3rd Annual Yuri’s Night

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› Larger image
Guests were encouraged to don “interstellar” attire for Yuri’s Night. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
More Yuri’s Night guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
More Yuri’s Night guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
Star Wars costumers were a big hit with Yuri’s Night participants. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
An Imperial officer (left) and Darth Vader stand outside the Visitor Center entrance to greet guests. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
Local indie rock band Bellflur. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Ed Campion› Larger image
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› Larger image
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› Larger image
The Star Wars costumers, such as bounty hunter Boba Fett, were popular subjects of guests’ group photos. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum› Larger image
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› Larger image
Yuri’s Night guests dance to music provided by DJ Scientific. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Bill Hrybyk› Larger image
Star Wars Stormtroopers added an extra level of interstellar security at Yuri’s Night proceedings. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum› Larger image
The dance floor was packed with space enthusiasts by the end of the evening. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Debbie McCallum› Larger image