NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA will host a one-day Tweetup for 100 of its Twitter followers on March 19 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Goddard Space Flight Center will be opening its doors to new media users, partnering with the Smithsonian Institution, to celebrate Sun Earth Day’s 2011 theme: Ancient Mysteries, Future Discoveries.

The Tweetup will provide @NASA followers with the opportunity to tour the center, visit the Smithsonian Institution, be part of the live NASA Edge broadcast, and meet NASA scientists and engineers. The event also will provide participants the opportunity to meet fellow Tweeps and NASA's social media team.

For more information about Sun Earth Day, visit the Sun Earth Day Tweetup page.

What is a Tweetup?
A Tweetup is an informal meeting of people who use the social messaging medium Twitter. This Tweetup is an opportunity to learn more about NASA, explore NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and learn about the new science breakthroughs and the missions being developed.

How do I register?
Registration opened at 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 22, on this page, and closed at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday Feb. 24. NASA will accommodate 100 tweeps and their guests randomly selected from those who sign up. Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Registration is for one person (you) and one guest, and is non-transferrable. In the case of multiple entries for the same individual, only the first entry received will be considered.

Do I need to have a Twitter account to register?
Yes. This event is designed for Twitter users who follow @NASA, @NASATweetup and other NASA Twitter accounts. The goal of NASA Tweetups is to allow people who regularly interact with each other via Twitter to meet in person and discuss one of their favorite subjects: NASA.

The Twitter account for the Tweetup is @NASATweetup, and the hashtag is #NASATweetup. We'll use both to post updates and reminders about the event.

What are the registration requirements?
Registration indicates your intent to travel to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and attend the one-day event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodation, food and other amenities.

Goddard is a government facility. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas at Goddard. To be admitted, you will need to show a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport, which matches the name provided on the Tweetup registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, non-U.S. citizens may register to attend the Tweetup in Maryland. Please choose the "non-U.S. citizen" option in the state drop-down menu during registration. Goddard is a government facility. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas at Goddard. To be admitted, you will need to show a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport, which matches the name provided on the Tweetup registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Does my registration include a guest?
Yes. Each registration provides a place for one person (you) and one guest 18 years of age or older. Registration is for you and that guest and is non-transferrable.

If I went to a previous NASA Tweetup, can I register to attend this one?
Yes.

What if I cannot come to Maryland?
If you cannot come to Maryland to attend in person, you should not register for the Tweetup. NASA intends to broadcast a portion of the Tweetup on March 19 on NASA's uStream page.

If you can't make this Tweetup, don't despair; NASA is planning others in the near future at various agency locations.

When will I know if I am on the guest list?
After NASA has received and processed the registrations, an e-mail with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected and those on the waitlist. We expect to send notifications on Feb. 25.

Does registration for and/or attendance at the Tweetup qualify me for media accreditation?
Your Tweetup registration and/or attendance does not qualify you for news media credentials at any NASA Center, now or in the future.

Have a question not answered here? Need more information? Help is available by sending an email to HQ-twitter@mail.nasa.gov.

For more information about Sun Earth Day, visit the Tweetup page and the website.