During the Wyoming eclipse of 1878, Maria Mitchell (left), a professor at Vassar
College and the first American female astronomer, organized a group of five female
astronomy students who traveled over 2,000 miles by train and then ventured to the
countryside outside of Denver to set up camp. This type of hands-on education and
research was new at the time. To celebrate Women’s History Month, the University of
Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will present “Astronomical Women” at 7 p.m. Friday,
March 28. (Vassar College Photo)
An electronic dance music (EDM) concert and a focus on Women’s History Month will
highlight the lineup at the University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium during
March.
“We are focusing on several large events throughout the month of March. We will have
our first-ever live EDM concert with a hosted bar at the planetarium March 1,” says
Max Gilbraith, the planetarium’s coordinator. “Tickets are a flat $15 for anyone 18
and up to enjoy the music, snacks, activities and alcohol/non-alcoholic drinks. We
will hold a similar event March 29. Some details are still pending.”
To denote Women’s History Month in the Equality State, Gilbraith adds the planetarium
will showcase the program, titled “Astronomical Women,” in late March.
“Since we are hosting the Wyoming State Science Fair and World Language Day, as well
as accommodating a deserved spring break for our students, we are somewhat limited
in our public shows mid-month,” he adds.
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 March schedule is:
-- Saturday, March 1, 2 p.m.: “Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter,”
a full-dome movie. The film reveals the first hints of its existence through the eyes
of Fritz Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term “dark matter.” The film also describes
the astral choreography witnessed by Vera Rubin in the Andromeda galaxy and journeys
across space and time to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
-- Saturday, March 1, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.: “Dome After Dark: A Live EDM Experience.” This
free-flowing, multisensory event fuses cutting-edge visuals, deep electronic beats
and hands-on creativity. Attendees can dance beneath stunning 360-degree visuals in
the dome; explore the latest in makerspace technology; create their own take-home
project; and grab a drink at the bar. NoCo Beats DJs Zach G. and wefunk247, from Fort
Collins, Colo., will deliver deep progressive house grooves. OsVinci, based in Laramie, will bring the vibe with tropical deep house beats. Tickets are $15. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
-- Tuesday, March 4, 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.
-- Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m.: “Cosmic Origins Spectrograph,” a full-dome movie. This
film highlights the current research of Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) aboard the Hubble
Space Telescope, the last instrument installed by NASA astronauts. COS allows an unprecedented
view into the vast spaces between galaxies that surround the Milky Way.
-- Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Tranquility,’” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” music from top artists in 5.1 surround
sound. 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.
-- Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 23: The planetarium will be closed for spring break.
-- Friday, March 28, 7 p.m.: “Astronomical Women.” This program follows the history
and discoveries of the great female astronomers, scientists and engineers from Hypatia;
Annie Cannon to Vera Rubin; and the female astronomers of today.
-- Saturday, March 29, 7 p.m.: “Cowboy Sandbox Live Event.” Details have yet to be
announced.
For more detailed descriptions of all programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/physics/planetarium/schedule.html.
