Planetarium Shows This (Academic) Year

Public planetarium programs are held from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the third Thursday of the month. The planetarium is located (see map) on the top floor of Hutcheson Hall, in room 207.  Enter Hutcheson Hall at the East end of the building where the elevator is located.  Visitors may park without permits during the evening hours in either student or faculty parking lots on campus.

• Our Universe - A Guided Tour: Our understanding of the early universe is rather thorough, going back to 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 seconds after it started!  This show will give some explanation concerning the Big Bang and the early universe.  The current structure of the universe will be described in terms of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.  Our galaxy, the Milky Way, will be located and our position in the Milky Way will be shown.  The tour will end with a flight through the solar system, from the sun to the outer-most structures (Pluto and related objects).                          
• Storytelling in the Stars: A description of the symbolic nature of the constellations and their connection to Greek mythology, in particular the story of Perseus and Andromeda.
• Winter Lights: Omens in the Sky: A description of unique celestial events and the presentation of possible astronomical "lights" as explanations for the Star of Bethlehem.
• X-ray Stars: This program will describe the unique nature of stars that are luminous in x-rays and the processes by which such high energy radiation is produced in stars.
• The Origin of Time: An explanation of how our calendar was created and its connection to celestial bodies.
• A Spaceship Called Earth: A description of the location and motions of the Earth in space from our solar system to the Milky Was galaxy to the universe beyond.
• Finding Your Way in the Sky:  This show will describe how to identify bright stars, planets, and constellations that can easily be seen in the night sky.  Participants will learn about how the appearance of the sky changes over the year and also how to identify the brief appearances of man-made objects in the sky.
• Forensic Astronomy:  Using positional astronomy to look at modern day accidents, crime, and historical events.
  

For more information contact Dr. Gary Henson at hensong@etsu.edu or at (423)439-6906.