March brings the first day of spring (although it may not yet feel like it in Wyoming),
also called the vernal equinox. It is a day of equal parts day and night across the
globe. This image depicts the equinox from space, looking down on the United States.
The line between day and night lies vertically between the North and South poles of
the Earth. (UW Planetarium Photo)
Like the weather this time of year, programs at the University of Wyoming Harry C.
Vaughan Planetarium during March will run warm and cold.
“Like the month of March is split between winter and spring, shows at the UW planetarium
follow two themes. First, to remind us all of the warmth our sun will soon bring,
we celebrate the Earth’s closest star and the life cycle of all stars in our universe,”
says Samantha Ogden, the planetarium’s coordinator. “Then, celebrate astronomy across
the globe as ‘Constellations Across Cultures’ series parts 1 and 2 will be brought
to you this month, but more still is left to uncover as we journey across the globe
to explore how different cultures celebrate the stars.”
Winter hours continue, with Friday night shows starting at 7 p.m. and STAR Observatory
tours running from 8-9:30 p.m. Kid-themed planetarium shows are Saturdays at 11 a.m.
The month also includes four Tuesday night shows; they begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets cost $3 for students and $4 for nonstudents, 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 planetarium will be closed Friday, March 8, for World Languages Day. To celebrate
spring break, the planetarium will be open to the public Wednesday, March 20, at 11
a.m.
The March planetarium schedule is as follows:
-- “You’re a Star,” Friday, March 1, 7 p.m. This program tracks energy and matter
throughout all space and time. Along the way, visitors will discover how and why they
are stars. The STAR Observatory on the rooftop of the Physical Sciences Building will
be open to the public 8-9:30 p.m. Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up to
peer into the evening sky.
-- “This Month’s Sky,” Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m. This program looks at constellations,
meteor showers and visible planets.
-- “Good Morning, Sun,” Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. This program explores everything
about Earth’s closest star. Visitors can stay after the program to participate in
a dry ice cream activity.
-- Full-Dome Movie Double Feature: “The Dark Matter Mystery: Exploring a Cosmic Secret”
and “Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter,” Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m.
“The Dark Matter Mystery” will look at why dark matter exists, and how this search
is one of the most challenging and exciting science has to offer. “Phantom of the
Universe” reveals the first hints of dark matter’s existence through the eyes of Fritz
Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term "dark matter."
-- “Dust, Light, Dust,” Friday, March 15, 7 p.m. This program looks at the science
behind the formation of stars, the various forms they take and their life cycle. The
STAR Observatory on the rooftop of the Physical Sciences Building will be open to
the public 8-9:30 p.m. Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up to peer into
the evening sky.
-- Full-Dome Movie Double Feature: “The Dark Matter Mystery: Exploring a Cosmic Secret”
and “Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter,” Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m.
“The Dark Matter Mystery” will look at why dark matter exists, and how this search
is one of the most challenging and exciting science has to offer. “Phantom of the
Universe” reveals the first hints of dark matter’s existence through the eyes of Fritz
Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term "dark matter."
-- “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” Wednesday, March 20, 11 a.m. Galileo did not invent
the telescope, but he was the first person to use the newly invented device to observe
the sky. His two small pieces of glass revealed a universe that was far more complex
than previously assumed. This program shares the way telescope development has helped
us understand our place in space.
-- “Constellations Across Cultures: Part 1,” Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. Orion, the
zodiac and other ancient Greek constellations are familiar. But the ancient Greeks
were not the only culture to find science and stories from the stars. This program
invites visitors to travel around the world, exploring the cultural and scientific
significance of the night sky to the people of the Incan Empire and the Bedouin people
of the Middle East.
-- “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m. Galileo did not invent
the telescope, but he was the first person to use the newly invented device to observe
the sky. His two small pieces of glass revealed a universe that was far more complex
than previously assumed. This program shares the way telescope development has helped
us understand our place in space.
-- Full-Dome Movie Double Feature: “Seeing” and “Cosmic Origin Spectrograph,” Tuesday,
March 26, 7 p.m. During “Seeing,” ride a photon from its creation and journey across
the galaxy to your mind's eye. From there, witness the conversion to an electro-chemical
impulse that travels the neural pathways of the brain to create the image your brain
sees. “Cosmic Origin Spectrograph” highlights the current research aboard the Hubble
Space Telescope. Cosmic Origin Spectrograph allows an unprecedented view into the
vast spaces between galaxies, which surround the Milky Way.
-- “Constellations Across Cultures: Part 2,” Friday, March 29, 7 p.m. Orion, the
zodiac and other ancient Greek constellations are familiar. But the ancient Greeks
were not the only culture to find science and stories from the stars. This program
invites visitors to travel around the world, exploring Hawaiian, Chinese and Nordic
constellations.
For more detailed descriptions of these programs, go to www.wyomingspacegrant.org/planetarium/shows/.
