Planetarium Explores Affordable Astronomy In This Week’s Show

This week’s show at the University of Wyoming Planetarium focuses on affordable ways to study the night sky.

Many beginning astronomers are deterred by the cost of purchasing a telescope to view the stars and planets. That cost concern, though, doesn’t always have to be there. The Night Sky In Your Hands star show will discuss many celestial objects that can be viewed with a moderate pair of binoculars.

In addition, the show will discuss free astronomy software for use on cloudy nights.

The show begins at 7 p.m. on Friday with doors opening 20 minutes before show time. Friday night star shows generally last about 40 minutes, and time is provided at the end for questions and discussion.

A Daft Punk Laser Show will be shown at 8:20 p.m. following the star show. Tickets for the laser show are priced the same, and the doors will open at 8 p.m.

The planetarium’s shows have been very popular, with most shows selling out well before show time. It is recommended for those who wish to attend to purchase tickets in advance, although tickets are available at the door if seats are still available.

Tickets cost $2 for students and $3 for non-students. Tickets can be purchased at the Department of Physics main office which is located in Room 204 of the Physical Sciences Building. Tickets may be purchased Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. until noon.

The planetarium is located in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building.

The planetarium schedule for March is as follows:

March 6th  

- 7 p.m. Asteroids, KBOs, and the Oort Cloud

In this show, we will fly through the solar system to explore and study some of the smaller objects of our stellar neighborhood, both near and far.

- 8:20 p.m. Laser Light: Legends

March 13th

- 7 p.m. Pale Blue Dot

How big is our universe and where do we stand in the cosmic expanse? This show will help us wrap our minds around truly how small that "Pale Blue Dot" that we live on is, and how much more there is left to discover.

- 8:20 p.m. Laser Light: Zeppelin Unbound

March 14th  (Saturday)  

- 4 p.m. Introduction to Astronomy (program geared towards children but all ages welcome)

When you look up at our night sky, what do you see?  This show introduces you to these objects and more as we explore the galaxy and universe beyond.

March 20th

- 7 p.m. Little Green Men: Alien Life

The prospect of intelligent life somewhere off of Earth piques the interests of many different types of scientist and the public. The first radio pulsating star discovered was called LGM-1 due to the difficulty in explaining a naturally occurring hyper-regular signal. Tonight we will explore the search for alien life and how it crosses the fields of physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry.

- 8:20 p.m. Laser Light: Michael Jackson

March 27th

- 7 p.m. Mars: the Mysterious Red Planet

Mars has been the focal point for myths, superstitions, and hoaxes for centuries.  What makes this planet so fascinating?  And what do we really know now about our red neighbor?

- 8:20 p.m. Laser Light: Laser Gaga