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New Movie About Mayan Understanding of Universe Highlights May Planetarium Schedule at UW

movie poster
The new full-dome movie, “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe,” will screen four times during May at the UW Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium. (UW Planetarium Photo)

During May, visitors to the University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will have four opportunities to see the new full-dome movie, titled “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe.”

The new film intertwines science and mythology to take the viewer on a poetic journey of how the Mayans have viewed and understood the universe throughout their history.

“This month at the UW Planetarium, we will be exploring the skies from many different perspectives,” says Samantha Ogden, the planetarium’s coordinator. “Join us this May to sightsee the historical, cross-cultural, fictional and modern Laramie skies.”

Kid-themed shows are Saturdays at 11 a.m. The month also includes five Tuesday night shows; they begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $3 for students and $4 for non-students, and can be purchased at the Department of Physics and Astronomy main office, located in Room 204 of the Physical Sciences Building, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-noon. Tickets also can be purchased by going online at www.uwyo.edu/physics/ and clicking on “Planetarium Schedule.” Doors open 20 minutes before each show, where tickets will be sold if available. The planetarium, which seats 58, is located in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building.

The May planetarium schedule is as follows:

-- “This Month’s Sky,” Tuesday, May 1, 7 p.m. This program looks at constellations, meteor showers and visible planets.

 -- “Science Fiction in Star Wars,” Friday, May 4, 8 p.m. May the Fourth be with you. This program takes an in-depth look at the science and science fiction of various phenomena in the Star Wars universe. The STAR Observatory on the rooftop of the Physical Sciences Building will be open to the public 8-10 p.m. Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up to peer into the evening sky.

-- Full-dome movie, “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe,” Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m. This film intertwines science and mythology to take the viewer on a poetic journey of how the Mayans have viewed and understood the universe throughout their history.

-- “Mind-Blowing Astronomy,” Friday, May 11, 8 p.m. Stars the size of our solar system; time-warping black holes; and giant voids of nothing are just a few of the mind-boggling topics this program will explore.

-- “Man in Space,” Saturday, May 12, 11 a.m. This program will explore the history of space flight, from the Apollo mission to the International Space Station. After the show, visitors can build and design their own model rockets.

-- Full-dome movie, “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe,” Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m. This film intertwines science and mythology to take the viewer on a poetic journey of how the Mayans have viewed and understood the universe throughout their history.

-- “Across the Mediterranean,” Friday, May 18, 8 p.m. This program will take an in-depth look into Egyptian astronomy and its unique star patterns. The STAR Observatory on the rooftop of the Physical Sciences Building will be open to the public 8-10 p.m. Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up to peer into the evening sky.

-- Full-dome movie, “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe,” Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m. This film intertwines science and mythology to take the viewer on a poetic journey of how the Mayans have viewed and understood the universe throughout their history.

-- “Black Holes, Supernovae and the Wacky Stellar Graveyard,” Friday, May 25, 8 p.m. Carl Sagan famously explained that we are made of stardust. But, what exactly does that mean? Learn more about interstellar dust, nuclear fusion, the origins of the periodic table and how they all lead to the cataclysmic deaths of stars.

-- “Constellations for Beginners,” Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m. This program looks at the amazing tales of heroes and heroines, monsters and villains, and gods and goddesses behind our constellations.

-- Full-dome movie, “Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe,” Tuesday, May 29, 7 p.m. This film intertwines science and mythology to take the viewer on a poetic journey of how the Mayans have viewed and understood the universe throughout their history.

For more detailed descriptions of these programs, go to www,wyomingspacegrant.org/planetarium/shows/.

 

 

Contact Us

Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu


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