This image, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, shows the stars, gas and dust
that make up the spiral galaxy Messier 74. Not visible in the image is the galaxy’s
dark matter -- matter that is unseen but its gravitational pull is visible. Without
dark matter’s strong gravitational influence, galaxies like this one would be flung
apart. (Image courtesy of NASA)
In a nod to Halloween, October at the University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium
offers a lineup of programs that range from the mysterious to the spooky.
“For October, we are going to delve into the mysterious. We’ve got shows on everything
from black holes and alien planets to dark matter and ancient Egyptian astronomy,”
says Jordan Turner, the planetarium’s interim coordinator. “Don’t miss out on our
spooky Halloween-themed laser show Saturday, Oct. 12, and again on the 26th.”
Turner adds planetarium staff members also are excited to team up with the UW Geological
Museum again for the Wyoming Rocks! event Saturday, Oct. 19. The event runs from 11
a.m.-2 p.m. at the museum, with free planetarium shows at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Friday night shows start at 8 p.m., and STAR Observatory star parties run from 8:30-9:30
p.m. Kid-themed planetarium shows are Saturdays at 11 a.m. The month also includes
five Tuesday night shows; they begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $3 for students and $4 for nonstudents. Tickets 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 http://wyomingspacegrant.org/planetarium/shows/
and clicking on “Purchase tickets online with a credit card.” Doors open 20 minutes
before the show, where tickets will be sold if available. The planetarium, which seats
58, is located in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building.
The October planetarium schedule is as follows:
-- “This Month’s Sky,” Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. October brings spooky skies with new
winter constellations, a full moon and two meteor showers to look for.
-- “The Power of Zero,” Friday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m. Orders of magnitude, the lens through
which astrophysicists see the world, are hinged upon zero. This program will explore
our universe one order of magnitude at a time, from the smallest of the small, to
the entire universe as a whole. The STAR Observatory on the rooftop of the Physical
Sciences Building will be open to the public for a “star party” from 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up to peer into the evening sky.
-- Full-dome movie: “Dark Matter Mystery,” Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. It is known that
approximately one-quarter of the universe is filled with a mysterious glue -- dark
matter -- but scientists have no idea from what it is made. This show will look at
why dark matter exists.
-- “You Are a Star,” Friday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m. This program tracks energy and matter
throughout all of time and space to trace it right to you. Discover how and why you
are a star.
-- “The Center of Our Galaxy,” Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. Stars and black holes are
two of the most fascinating objects we see in space -- both to casual observers and
scientists. This show will explore how stars and black holes work, and how they affect
our lives.
-- “Fright Light,” Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. This Halloween-themed laser show will
include psychedelic effects mixed with festive music. New animation and effects will
be debuted to enhance the viewing experience. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
-- Full-dome movie: “Dawn of the Space Age,” Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. From the launch
of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, to the magnificent lunar landings and
privately operated space flights, visitors will be immersed in this historic reconstruction
of man’s first steps into space.
-- “Dust, Light, Dust,” Friday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Although stars aren’t alive, they
are born, go through a metamorphosis and die much like a butterfly. Visitors can learn
about 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 for a “star party” from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Weather permitting,
telescopes will be set up to peer into the evening sky.
-- “Wyoming Rocks Presents: Exoplanets,” Saturday, Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
This program will provide an overview of the history and methods used for finding
planets outside our own solar system, and a look at some planets that already have
been found. These shows are free and open to the public.
-- Full-dome movie: “Phantom of the Universe,” Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m. This program
follows the efforts of scientists around the world as they try to unlock the mystery
of dark matter.
-- “Egyptian Archaeoastronomy,” Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. This program will look at
the skies as seen by the builders of the Great Pyramids, from their creation story
in the sky to the legends associated with them.
-- “TBA,” Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m. See www.wyomingspacegrant.org/planetarium/shows/
for updates.
-- “Fright Light,” Saturday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. This Halloween-themed laser show will
include psychedelic effects mixed with festive music. New animation and effects will
be debuted to enhance the viewing experience. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
-- Full-dome movie: “Dark Matter Mystery,” Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. It is known that
approximately one-quarter of the universe is filled with a mysterious glue -- dark
matter -- but scientists have no idea from what it is made. This show will look at
why dark matter exists.
For more detailed descriptions of these programs, go to www.wyomingspacegrant.org/planetarium/shows/.
