AstroBreaks

Spring Semester 2013 Shows

AstroBreaks are free planetarium shows from 12:15-12:45 p.m. on select Wednesdays. All are welcome!

Each program includes a description of the night sky and some of its treasures, along with exploration of a special astronomical topic.

January 16: January Jewels
NEW! Enjoy 30 minutes of stargazing indoors on the Planetarium dome! Director Jean Creighton will give you a tour of the interesting and particularly bright stars and constellations of January. We will start with familiar objects such as the Big Dipper and Orion and explore less familiar objects such as Perseus and Taurus.

January 23: Colorful Nebulae
This week's theme is Colorful Nebulae, where we discuss the different types of nebulae (i.e. clouds) and look at gorgeous pictures of them. We will also look at the current night time sky as seen from the city and the country.

January 30: Cosmic News
NEW! In the first 15 minutes of the program,  learn about recent exciting astronomical developments. During the last half of the presentation, look at the current night time sky as seen from the city and the country.

February 6: February Skies
Enjoy 30 minutes of stargazing indoors on the Planetarium dome with the Director Jean Creighton. We will look at bright stars and constellations of particular interest in the February night sky, as seen from the city and the country. We will start with familiar objects such as the Big Dipper and Orion, then explore less familiar objects such as Cancer and Gemini.

February 13: Cupid's Constellations
This week learn about romantic astronomical objects and constellations, such as the planet Venus and the Heart Nebula.

February 27: Cosmic News (Canceled due to illness.)
In the first 15 minutes of the program,  learn about recent exciting astronomical developments.  In addition, look at the current night time sky as seen from the city and the country.

March 6: March Evenings
Enjoy 30 minutes of stargazing indoors at room temperature! Director Jean Creighton will take you on a guided tour of the night sky that will be projected on the Planetarium dome. We will look at the bright stars and constellations of particular interest that present themselves to us in March, as seen from the city and the country. We will start with familiar objects such as the Big Dipper and Orion, then explore less familiar objects such as Canis Major and Leo.

April 3: April Stars
Enjoy 30 minutes of stargazing indoors on the Planetarium dome with the Director Jean Creighton. We will look at bright stars and constellations of particular interest in the April night sky, as seen from the city and the country. We will start with familiar objects such as the Big Dipper and Orion, then explore less familiar objects such as Leo and Hydra.

April 10: Birth of the Universe
The main focus of the program will be to present the scientific evidence for the Big Bang theory, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is omnipresent throughout the universe, and the motion of galaxies, which seem to be flying away from us. The audience will also have the opportunity to enjoy several late autumn constellations, such as Pegasus and Orion, projected on the dome.

April 24: Cosmic News
In the first 15 minutes of the program,  learn about recent exciting astronomical developments.  In addition, look at the current night time sky as seen from the city and the country.

May 1: May Stars
Enjoy 30 minutes of stargazing indoors on the Planetarium dome with the Director Jean Creighton. We will look at bright stars and constellations of particular interest in the May night sky, as seen from the city and the country. We will start with familiar objects such as the Big Dipper and Orion, then explore less familiar objects such as Virgo and Centaurus.

May 8: Spring Stars and Their Myths
Explore the fascinating myths that surround the spring constellations! Hear the stories associated with constellations such as Scorpius, Libra, and Hercules! Then get the chance to see several spring constellations projected onto the planetarium dome!

May 15: Cosmic News
In the first 15 minutes of the program,  learn about recent exciting astronomical developments.  In addition, look at the current night time sky as seen from the city and the country.

Archive of past Astrobreaks.