Dawn of the Space Age Features Sputnik to the Man on the Moon

LARAMIE – From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights – be immersed and overwhelmed with this most accurate historic reconstruction of man’s first steps into space.

This program is set for Tuesday, July 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the University of Wyoming’s Harry C. Vaughn Planetarium, 1000 E. Ivinson Ave. in Laramie.

Bradon Bryngleson is a presenter with the Planetarium on the University of Wyoming campus.

“If I look back – I’m glad to have been born in this age of technology – but if there was a time where I could look back and say, ‘Man, I wish I was alive then,’ it would definitely be witnessing the first man step on the moon. I can only imagine the beauty of it,” said Brygleson, a sophomore at UW.

“The Dawn of the Space Age is what’s called a ‘full-dome movie,’ where we project it with our two projectors and it takes up the full dome. Basically, the movie takes us from the start of the space race to the time we landed on the moon. It describes the American and Russian space programs. And then it goes into a hypothetical of, ‘Well, what about space tourism, and what happens if we go to Mars.’ It’s a very fun and educational show, and it’s not complex. So if someone wanted to dip their toes in the water, as far as how we did we get to where we are now versus where are we going, I would absolutely recommend it,” said Bradon.

“The highlight is definitely the animation and the ‘feel.’ The fun thing about the full-dome movie is that it’s not like a movie theater where it’s all out in front of you. In this, you get to sit back in your chair, recline, and it’s just all around you – you can look behind you and something’s going on – and it creates a very immersive feel to what you’re watching,” Bryngleson said.

“And then with our sound system, which is amazing, you’re hearing these sounds – vivid, and clear, and awesome – and it creates a sense of you being right there with the crew. It’s a fun experience, and I even find myself – someone who’s watched the show a couple of times – seeing new stuff.

“The Dawn of the Space Age was offered as a central piece to what happened a week ago with the 50^th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing. That was our big summer program, held in conjunction with the Albany County Public Library’s summer reading program. We showed the kids the movie, and then we shot off paper rockets.”

Tickets are $3 for students, $4 for non-students, and 5 and under are free.

Please note that ticket sales close at 4 pm on the show date. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or 20 mins before the show. There is no admittance once the show starts.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. In advance, you may purchase tickets online with a credit card. Please note that online tickets sales close at 4 p.m. on the show date (Friday for Saturday shows) and all online tickets are $4, but kids under 5 are still free. Tickets will be available for pickup in the planetarium 20 minutes prior to the show.

In-person, tickets can be purchased at the Physics Department main office in Physical Science room 204 Monday through Thursday from 8 to 5 and Friday from 8 to 4.Ws2 We can only accept cash or checks in person.

Finally, tickets can be purchased in the planetarium 20 minutes before the show (cash or check only); $3 for student and $4 for non-students. Tickets for children under 5 are free.

Doors open 20 minutes before the show and close when the show starts. There is no admittance once the show starts.

The University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium is located in the basement of the Physical Science building. Enter the Physical Science building at the SW entrance, go down the stairs and follow the signs pointing to the planetarium.

We open up our STAR Rooftop Observatory every first and third Friday of the month from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Feel free to join us anytime, but dress warmly as evenings are chilly! The tours will be very informal and you may stay for as long as you like or leave at any time. Tours are free.

The University of Wyoming’s STAR Observatory is located on the roof of the Physical Science building. Enter the Physical Science building at the SW entrance, go UP the stairs all the way to the roof.