PLANETARIUM SCHEDULE SPRING SEMESTER 2010

The Observatory-Planetarium Public Education Nights (OPEN) program begins with a public planetarium show most Fridays at 8:00 pm.  However, due to funding loss, this spring semester we will only have 6 shows.  Shows are scheduled the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the Month if school is in session.  The one hour, free public shows are presented at the planetarium located in room 234 of the Health & Natural Sciences Building and are scheduled for the following Fridays:

1.  Jan. 15

2.  Feb. 5

3.  Feb. 19

4.  Mar. 5

(Spring Break Mar. 15 - 19)

5.  Apr. 2

6.  Apr. 16 (last OPEN Program for Spring Semester)

The doors are open for seating at 7:30 pm and the show begins promptly at 8:00 pm. No admittance after the show begins. Please mute pagers and cell phones; also no flash photography during the show. 

All shows are presented live.  (i.e.: We do not currently have the capabilities for completely recorded or automated shows.) Since the shows are live with opportunities for spontaneous interaction from the audience, no two shows are exactly the same.  However, most shows have the following format.  The show (especially school shows) may begin with one or two short themed presentations. The current possible short themes are "The Space Race", "How To See the Constellations", or "The Colors of Stars".  In 2009, we have a longer themed presentation called "To the Moon and Beyond!", which tells about the first humans to reach the Moon and how we will return. Then, we present a semi-automated introduction to the star talk featuring music, short videos, lighting transitions, and planetarium projector deployment.  The star talk under the simulated night sky of the planetarium usually features the current evening sky, but often includes information about the morning sky (before sunrise) as well.  For "To the Moon and Beyond!", the ending star talk transitions directly to the show's conclusion.  The public shows will feature another new themed presentation that will be integrated into an extended star talk.  This as yet untitled presentation will feature several short "vignettes" about the night sky, illustrating our understanding of the sky and the celestial objects we have observed from ancient times, through the present, as well as what knowledge our instruments and probes might unveil in the future.  The show ends with a musical conclusion featuring lighting transitions as the projector is stowed or a short astronomically or space related music video (especially school shows). The current possible music videos are "The Hubble Space Telescope's 15 Year Anniversary Music Video" or "The Mars Exploration Rover Mission Overview".

The year 2009 is the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescopic investigations.  It has been designated The International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations.  In honor of the IYA and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations, our current public show features a presentation about Galileo's observations of the Moon and Jupiter (which is currently visible in the night sky).  Our school show is entitled "To the Moon and Beyond!" and honors the 40th anniversary of the 1st Moon landing.  We also include some portions of the public show featuring Galileo's observations of Jupiter.  Occasionally, special presentations about current astronomical or space events may replace the current show. 

SPECIAL EVENT FOR SPRING 2010:  MARS WATCH 2010
Mars will pass through opposition on Friday, Jan. 29th.  We are planning to open the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory for viewing on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 9:30 pm.  (Weather permitting.)  We are tentatively planning a short (30 min) planetarium show at 8 pm on both Friday and Saturday nights before going to the observatory.  Check the NGCSU On-line Events Calendar for confirmation and details.

Weather permitting, we invite visitors out to the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory (NGAO) for viewing through the 16" Boller & Chiven research grade telescope.  Click here for local maps to the Observatory and Planetarium.  Directions will also be provided at the end of the Planetarium show.  Call the planetarium information line at 706-864-1471 for any updates about special events.  Please don't leave a message on the Planetarium line as it is intended only for special messages about upcoming shows or cancellations. 

School and other group shows may be reserved this fall semester primarily on Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm.  Unfortunately, due to the budget crunch, we now have a flat fee of $85 per 1-hr show for groups.   For more information about payment and reserving planetarium shows for school or other groups, e-mail Dr. Jones at jjones@ngcsu.edu.