NASA organizes planet-finding Tweetup in Silicon Valley

For the first time ever, NASA's Twitter followers are being invited to the agency's Ames Research Center in California on February 11 to get an insider's look at its planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft.

The followers will get to learn about planetary discoveries from Kepler and the science flights of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft.

This Tweetup will give participants and those who follow along online another look at the diverse ways NASA is pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research, said Stephanie Schierholz, social media manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

The attendees will also get behind-the-scenes access to NASA's research center in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. They will tour the center and speak with NASA officials, managers and scientists.

Generally, NASA Tweetups range from two hours to two days in length and include a 'meet and greet' session to allow participants to mingle with fellow Tweeps and the people behind NASA's Twitter feeds.

For the upcoming Tweetup, registration will start from January 5 to January 10, 2011 from where 100 active Tweeps will be selected randomly.