Multiple Live Talks, ‘Dome After Dark’ Highlight UW Planetarium Schedule During November

The University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will host several live talk programs and the final “Dome After Dark” event of the fall next month.

 

“Our November schedule will feature our final live ‘Dome After Dark’ event for the semester Nov. 8,” says Max Gilbraith, the planetarium's director. “There are several engaging live talks on Friday evenings, including ‘Pluto and the Kuiper Belt,’ ‘Extreme Explorers’ and ‘Astrobiology.’”

 

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 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 November schedule is:

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m.: “Dark Matter Mystery,” a full-dome movie. Dark matter is a theoretical form of invisible mass, which is believed to be present in galaxies but has never been seen or detected. This film takes the audience on the biggest quest of contemporary astrophysics: solving the dark matter mystery.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: “Europe to the Stars,” a full-dome movie. This film takes viewers on an epic journey behind the scenes at the most productive ground-based observatory in the world -- the European Southern Observatory -- revealing the science, history, technology and the people.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 p.m. “Liquid Sky: Retro Rock,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” retro rock music from artists in 5.1 surround sound. The 4K-resolution planetarium sky will become a canvas of color, patterns and movement with cutting-edge music visualization software and live VJ talent.

 

-- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Due to Election Day, there will be no public shows.

 

-- Thursday, Nov. 6, 4-7 p.m.: “Dome Club.” Attendees will learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. Participants 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, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.: “Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.” Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet Aug. 24, 2006. Audience members can learn why Pluto was demoted and observe the data and discoveries of the New Horizons mission to the farthest reaches of our solar system.

-- Friday, Nov. 7, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Space Rock,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” space rock music 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.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m.: A “Dome After Dark” event, featuring electronic dance music. Cost is $20. The event is open to students 18 and up. An open bar is available to those 21 and up.

 

-- Thursday, Nov. 13, 4-7 p.m.: “Dome Club.” Attendees will learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. Participants 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, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.: “Extreme Explorers.” Humans can't survive most environments on Earth without purpose-built clothing, shelter, and advanced food and water infrastructure. What about space? Probes, landers, rovers and other craft require incredible engineering to survive the extreme radiation, heat, cold, weather, chemistry and climates of deep space. Learn what it takes for robots and maybe people to endure in these places.

 

-- Friday, Nov. 14, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Psychedelic Indie,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” psychedelic indie music 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.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.: “Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries,” a full-dome movie. The film takes a journey to three world-class observatories in Chile’s rugged Andes Mountains and arid Atacama Desert -- remote, extreme regions that have the perfect conditions for astronomical research. Featured is an inspiring cast of astronomers, engineers, technicians and support staff who keep the megamachines running.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.: “The Hot and Energetic Universe,” a full-dome movie. The film investigates the achievements of modern astronomy; the most advanced terrestrial and orbital observatories; the basic principles of electromagnetic radiation; and the natural phenomena related to high-energy astrophysics.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Funk,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” funk music 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.

 

-- Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.: “Wyoming Skies: Losing the Dark and Leonids Meteor Shower.” The Leonids meteor shower will peak early that morning. With a waning crescent moon, viewing conditions will be excellent to see a peak of 10-15 meteors an hour past midnight.

 

“Losing the Dark,” a public service announcement planetarium show, introduces and illustrates some of the issues regarding light pollution and suggests three simple actions people can take to help mitigate it. The film is a collaboration of Loch Ness Productions and DarkSky International.

 

-- Thursday, Nov. 20, 4-7 p.m.: “Dome Club.” Attendees will learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. Participants 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, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.: “Astrobiology.” Is there anybody out there, or are we alone in the universe? The search for extraterrestrial life continues as scientists scour the solar system for signs of ancient or modern signs of life; radio telescopes listen for signs from E.T.; and next-generation telescopes explore the planets of other star systems.

 

-- Friday, Nov. 21, 8:30 p.m. “Liquid Sky: Folk,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” folk music 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.

 

-- Saturday, Nov. 22: The planetarium will be closed due to the UW home football game against the University of Nevada.

 

-- Wednesday, Nov. 26-Saturday, Nov. 30: The planetarium will be closed due to the Thanksgiving break.

 

For more detailed descriptions of all programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/physics/planetarium/schedule.html.