PLANETARIUM SCHEDULE FALL SEMESTER 2008

The Observatory-Planetarium Public Education Nights (OPEN) program begins with a public planetarium show most Fridays at 8:00 pm. The one hour, free public shows are presented at the planetarium located in room 234 of the Health & Natural Sciences Building and are scheduled every Friday between August 22nd and December 5th, except for Friday, November 28th (Thanksgiving Break). We will have a planetarium show on Friday, October 10th (Fall Break).  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 themes are "The Apollo 8 Mission To the Moon", "How To See the Constellations", or "The Colors of Stars".  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.  The star talk usually transitions to a themed presentation, especially for the public shows.  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".

Our current public show begins with an introduction sequence featuring music from the film Curious George (Upside Down by Jack Johnson).  This is followed by a short star talk which transitions into the themed presentation:  The Friday the 13th Asteroid featuring short video clips and sound effects to illustrate what "impact" (literally) a large asteroid might have on the Earth and how we might avoid such a disaster.  The show concludes with lighting transitions and music as the planetarium projector is stowed.  Occasionally, special presentations about current astronomical or space events may replace the current show.  Next year, 2009, is the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescopic investigations.  The year 2009 has been designated The International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations.  We are developing presentations along these themes and may try them out during school or public shows this fall.

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 except for Thursday, Nov. 27th (Thanksgiving).  A few Tuesdays may be available for shows depending on staff availability.  For more information about reserving free planetarium shows for school or other groups, e-mail Dr. Jones at jjones@ngcsu.edu.