LED Lights

Thousands of carefully planned feet of wires and cables, and approximately 3 million lights make up the Galaxy Lights exhibits. The 200-foot LED light tunnel alone is made of more than 250,000 lights!

Many exhibits like this are able to be created thanks to electrical engineers and designers working with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. These lights use much less electricity and release substantially less heat than more traditional incandescent holiday lights.

The quick description of how LED lights work is that they are illuminated by the movement of tiny particles known as electrons in a specific type of material when electricity passes through them. On a deeper level, diodes contain two semiconductor materials side by side, one with a negative charge and one with a positive charge. The electric current causes electrons to move from the negative side to the positive side, and from the positive side to the negative side. During this process known as electroluminescence, they make the beautiful light we see in the holiday displays!

Coding

If you’ve ever watched a holiday light show set to music, like the 40-foot crystal fireworks show at Galaxy Lights, you also have computer code to thank. While lights that stay on constantly can be controlled by a sample on/off switch, ones that need to activate or change color at a specific moment need instructions to tell them what to do.

This is where computer code comes in. On computer software, lighting show designers are able to create light art, sending commands that control each light in time with the music. Think of it as a digital conductor pointing at each light bulb that it wants to turn on at the right moment. Since the code and commands remain the same each time the code is run, it ensures that the light show looks identical each time.

So if you enjoyed the show the first time, be sure to come back for an identical encore performance!

Digital Design

Many holiday light displays also involve some impressive sculpting. One way that these structures are designed is through Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. These tools allow engineers and designers to digitally sculpt and plan the shapes before they are physically made.

The team at Bright Lights who designs the Galaxy Lights exhibits uses Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, alongside the CAD software SketchUp.

This year I also partnered with Space Center Houston to make my own creation in a CAD software for Galaxy Lights. And it’s one that you can even download and 3D print at home!

I created a space inspired holiday ornament inspired by the idea of a 3D space mission patch. It features a rocket blasting off in front of a snowflake design, perfect for outer space and winter fans in your life.

I originally learned the CAD software SolidWorks while I was getting my mechanical engineering degree, and I’ve loved using it for both engineering and artistic purposes since then. The ornament is a celebration of combining art, engineering, and science! 100 of these were 3D printed for the Galaxy Lights kickoff event, but you can also make your own!

You can get the 3D printable .STL file here to make on your school or home 3D printer.

If you want to see more about the design process, you can watch my behind-the-scenes video on Instagram here.

Additionally, if you want to check out some incredible engineering and holiday light art for yourself, use code LIGHTSEWA for $5 off Galaxy Lights Admission! Redeem online with or in person now through 01/05/25 and receive $5 off regular adult, senior or child Space Center Houston Galaxy Lights Admission. Limit six (6) people per coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.

Happy holidays!

Sources:

https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-do-holiday-lights-work

https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/led.htm

Guest Contributor: Erin Winick Anthony, Founder of STEAM Power Media & Digital Storyteller

The post The Engineering Behind Holiday Light Displays appeared first on Space Center Houston.

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories at Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, as you embark on a cosmic journey with your festive crew. Check out some of our guests’ starlit memories from Galaxy Lights this year–then make your own! Galaxy Lights is open through Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Join a constellation of explorers who have ventured into this big and bright cosmic wonderland to experience the excitement of this celestial time of year.

Why settle for an ordinary holiday when you can indulge in delightful festive treats and witness a stellar space spectacle!

Time is running out to elevate your holiday celebrations to the stars. Gear up and secure your tickets to Galaxy Lights for an astronomical experience.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://spacecenter.org/galaxy-lights/

The post Sparkling Memories at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Lights have always been intertwined with the holidays. What may have started with a few candle flames to celebrate has now evolved into elaborate spectacles of flashes and color in trees and elaborate displays. 

But those colors and lights do not just magically happen. We need a little sprinkle of science to form them! 

We have the electromagnetic spectrum to thank for those bright displays of holiday cheer. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of a wide range of waves that carry energy through open space. Unlike a physical ocean wave, electromagnetic waves do not need a medium like water to travel through. They can even travel through the vacuum of space. Everything from microwave ovens to televisions use electromagnetic energy that is a part of this spectrum. 

However, when it comes to the holidays, we want color!

All the varieties of colored visible light are formed due to the distance between the peaks of light waves. Light travels in an up-and-down pattern like you might see in waves at the beach. How far these peaks of the wave are from each other changes the color our eyes perceive, or whether our eyes can even perceive it at all! 

Of the waves we can see, red has the longest wavelength, meaning it also has the weakest energy. Purple is the most energetic with the shortest wavelength. It has the most densely packed waves of visible colors. The other colors of the rainbow in between span the rest of the visible light wavelengths. 

Far beyond what our eyes can see are other types of waves like high-energy gamma rays and low-energy radar waves. These other waves can be useful in things like medical imaging or communication systems, but will not contribute much to our holiday celebrations. 

Modern engineers also use these holiday light displays to push our use of color to the extreme. From massive glowing structures to drone shows, holiday displays worldwide are getting more technologically advanced every year. You can even see some perfect examples here in Texas. Space Center Houston is the only place in the U.S. outside of Las Vegas, Nevada where you can see a kinetic light show. The Center’s kinetic light show has 16 million different color combinations. You can also find a 40-foot-tall crystal fireworks display which consists of a cascading light installation at the Galaxy Lights event. This is one of only two crystal fireworks displays in the world. 

Witness these displays for yourself and have your eyes flooded with visible light waves! And be sure to check out the interactive “Celebrate Light” live show to learn more about the science behind them. 

Galaxy Lights waves goodbye on January 7, 2024 — So, don’t miss out. Have a happy and science-filled holiday! 

The post The Science Behind Holiday Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is illuminating Space Center Houston once again! Now through Jan. 7, 2024, you and your crew can enjoy your holiday season in space. During your journey through the cosmos of dazzling light displays, you’ll need the right rocket fuel. We’ve got your crew covered! Browse an expanse of holiday snacks that will satisfy everyone as you make starlit holiday memories, crafted with an extra dose of holiday cheer by Wolfgang Puck Catering. 

Ornament of Galaxy-Inspired Mini Macarons 

This special treat features three mini macarons coated in the colors of the galaxy, plus an extra helping of glitter! When you’re done, you can take the ornament home and display it for the holiday season. 

Roast-Your-Own-S’mores Kits

What’s cozier than roasting s’mores? The answer: Roasting s’mores surrounded by twinkling lights, under the starlit Texas sky! 

Gingerbread Cookies 

A holiday classic, grab a few for the crew as you wander our starlit pathway. 

Starry Night Mocktail 

Light up the night with a festive cocktail featuring Starry and pomegranate syrup. This alcohol-free mocktail comes with light-up ice cubes in a commemorative cup.

Kettle Corn and Chocolate Peppermint Bark 

Got snacks? Salty snack lovers can grab a bag of freshly roasted kettle corn while they experience Galaxy Lights. Or if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, enjoy some chocolate peppermint bark—a favorite holiday treat!

Hot Chocolate in Commemorative Mug 

Warm up during your Galaxy Lights experience with a mug of decadently rich hot chocolate! Plus, get a discount on refills when you purchase a commemorative Galaxy Lights travel mug. 

The post Seven Celestial Holiday Treats to Enjoy Only at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Step into a world of celestial enchantment with your loved ones at Galaxy Lights, powered by Reliant, and get ready to embark on an extraordinary holiday journey that’s out of this world! Here’s what you can look forward to on this cosmic adventure: 

Enter the Deep Space Backyard

Take an awe-inspiring journey through the solar system in our Deep Space Backyard. Wander beneath a canopy of twinkling stars and capture larger-than-life displays in the backdrop of the cosmos.

Cozy up and watch the crystal fireworks, sponsored by HEB, burst to life on a stunning 40-foot-tall cascading display, radiating galaxy-inspired colors that will leave you in awe.

Experience not one but two kinetic light shows sponsored by Wellby Financial, where vibrant shapes and patterns come to life in a mesmerizing choreography above the Main Plaza. 

And don’t forget to catch the original film “Holidays in Space.” It features real footage of astronauts celebrating holidays and captivating interviews with retired astronauts about their holiday experiences in space. 

Live Presentations Exploring the Science of Light

Join us for an interactive live show, “Celebrate Light.” This engaging experience will illuminate the role of light in how we perceive colors and its connection to space exploration.

Dazzling Activations, Starlit Memories

Visit our up-lit silhouette displays portraying various celestial constellations. Follow their radiant path to a 200-foot LED light tunnel synchronized with festive holiday music. As you stroll through, you’ll get an up-close look at the massive models of each planet to accompany you.

Hop onto our interactive light pods, featuring 290 multicolor platforms, nestled under the wing of our historic NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. If you’re seeking a more spectacular view, ascend the shuttle carrier and shuttle replica model to witness the mesmerizing Saturn V rocket lights.

Relish the enchanting atmosphere created by the gently falling snowflakes on the projection wall and enhanced by our snow machine, all while you savor our holiday treats like a delightful cup of hot cocoa and s’mores. 

Marvel at a sparkling model of Earth and a prism tree, perfect for capturing that Instagram-worthy holiday picture at our Earth and snow globe photo station.

Big & Bright Activations Highlighting Texas’ Role in Space Exploration

Celebrate the spirit of collaboration and the International Space Station (ISS) with our Lights Around the World display. It boasts a magnificent 15-foot wreath and six towering 20-foot-lit aluminum trees representing each ISS partner: the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia, and Italy.

These impressive trees are enveloped by radiant, glowing stars, adorning the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, culturally adorned as a tribute to each partner nation. And, of course, don’t miss the opportunity to capture a festive and memorable holiday selfie beneath the massive 40-foot-tall, 100-foot-long shooting star!

Galaxy Lights is an extraordinary celestial celebration of the holidays. Join us for an evening filled with cosmic cheer, exploration, and unbridled joy this holiday season. We can’t wait to share this enchanting experience with you! 

The post Your Guide to a Cosmic Holiday Experience at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.