NGC 602 is a young star cluster in the Small Magellanic Cloud (one of our satellite
galaxies), where astronomers using @NASAWebb have found candidates for the first brown
dwarf stars outside of our galaxy. Learn more about brown dwarfs during the program
“Stellar Graveyard” Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Harry
C. Vaughan Planetarium. (NASA James Webb Space Telescope Photo)
An annual Christmas-themed program will wrap up semester programming at the University
of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium.
“As winter approaches and our fall semester comes to an end, the UW planetarium schedule
wraps up the weekend following finals,” says Max Gilbraith, the planetarium’s coordinator.
“Dr. Chip Kobulnicky will grace us with a presentation of ‘Star of the Magi’ Sunday,
Dec. 15, at 2 p.m.”
To get tickets or receive more information about programs, email planetarium@uwyo.edu or leave a voicemail and a call-back phone number at (307) 766-6506. Tickets are
$5 for the public or online tickets, and $3 for students, senior citizens, veterans,
first responders and those under 18. Seating is free for children under 5. Bulk tickets/gift
cards are available at $2 each when 10 or more tickets are purchased.
Reservations or pre-purchase is not required, and walk-ins are welcome. Tickets can
be purchased online with a credit card, reserved by email or voicemail, or purchased
at the start of the show. Cash or check is accepted at the door. The planetarium,
which seats 64, is in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. Seating is on
a first-come, first-served basis outside of designated ADA/wheelchair seating.
To pay for tickets with a credit card, go to https://www.uwyo.edu/uwplanetarium/ticket.aspx. For a group larger than six, email the planetarium for a private show at https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKuqIynOn7gFK2F. Tickets for private shows are the same as the public programs.
A film and special live talk for audiences will be featured each week. All programs
are approximately an hour in length. As time allows, a portion of the show also may
focus on a live sky tour or supporting information related to the film’s topic.
The December schedule is:
-- Thursday, Dec. 5, 4-7 p.m.: Dome Club. Learn about immersive technologies for augmented
reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. Members of the
public are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate.
The event takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences
Building. For more information, email Jane Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.
-- Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: “Solar System Vacation.” This program will provide a tour
of the most exciting and relaxing locations around the solar system. See giant ice
geysers, lava lakes and aurorae; or watch the sunset on methane lakes on the bizarre
moons and planets of the sun.
-- Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.: “Back to the Moon for Good,” a full-dome movie. This
film opens with the first era of space exploration in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Viewers will learn what that era of landers and orbiters taught the world about the
moon.
-- Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Holiday Hits,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” music from top artists in 5.1 surround
sound. The holiday music playlist is family friendly. The 4K resolution planetarium
sky melts and becomes a canvas of color, patterns and movement with cutting-edge music
visualization software and live VJ talent.
-- Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.: “Wyoming Skies.” The program provides an exploration
of the stars, constellations, planets, meteor showers and other celestial phenomena
visible from Wyoming for the season.
-- Thursday, Dec. 12, 4-7 p.m.: Dome Club. Learn about immersive technologies for
augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. Members
of the public are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and
demonstrate. The event takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the
Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.
-- Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.: “Stellar Graveyard.” This program explores the science
behind the formation of stars; the various forms they take; and the stellar graveyard,
including white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.
-- Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.: “Dawn of the Space Age,” a full-dome movie. The program
explores the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, the magnificent lunar
landings and privately operated space flights.
-- Saturday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Holiday Hits,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” music from top artists in 5.1 surround
sound. The holiday music playlist is family friendly. The 4K resolution planetarium
sky melts and becomes a canvas of color, patterns and movement with cutting-edge music
visualization software and live VJ talent.
-- Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m.: “Star of the Magi.” Learn about the heavens, wonder and
speculate with Kobulnicky, an astronomer and a UW professor of physics and astronomy,
as he presents some of the celestial possibilities that may underlie the storied “star
that rose in the East” that led the magi to the birthplace of Jesus.
-- Monday, Dec. 16-Friday, Jan. 3: The planetarium will be closed for Christmas break.
-- Saturday, Jan. 4, 2 p.m.: “Star of the Magi.” Learn about the heavens, wonder and
speculate with Kobulnicky as he presents some of the celestial possibilities that
may underlie the storied “star that rose in the East” that led the magi to the birthplace
of Jesus.
-- Sunday, Jan. 5-Friday, Jan. 17: The planetarium will be closed.
For more detailed descriptions of all programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/physics/planetarium/schedule.html.
