JUNE 17, 2021 - Tomorrow, June 18th, marks 38 years since astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel in space. The National Air and Space Museum is honoring her legacy with Sally’s Night, a virtual event aimed at encouraging participants to show that you, too, can “shine like Sally.”

Having posted the event to social media, the National Air and Space Museum hopes to motivate others to share what they love about space and the sciences. Sharing is easy. Simply post what excites you about space and include the hashtag #ShineLikeSally. To take part in the Sally’s Night virtual celebration, sign up with your email address to receive the Sally’s Night Celebration Guide. Guides will be emailed to participants, allowing you and your family to join the festivities and share together a love of science and - of course - space.

A second post featured something that should catch the attention of Star Trek fans. The post featured a photo of a very special Starfleet communicator, along with the caption, “Another way to [Shine Like Sally]: Watching or reading science fiction! Sally Ride was a [Star Trek] fan, and this communicator badge prop from Star Trek: Voyager was given to her by Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway.”

Following her career at NASA, Ride taught physics at the University of California, San Diego and served as the director of the California Space Institute. In 2001, Ride co-founded the company Sally Ride Science, producing literature and programs aimed at encouraging children (primarily girls) to pursue the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Ride passed away in 2012.

Whether it’s the exploration of other planets, looking up at the stars, enjoying Star Trek, or even that other “Star” franchise, remember to use the hashtag #ShineLikeSally on social media tomorrow to share what you love about science and space. For more information about Sally Ride and to sign up for the Sally’s Night Celebration Guide, visit airandspace.si.edu.