May Programming: Astronomy
The Friends of the Planetarium organizes and hosts public programs for one weekend each month. We've chosen themes for each month, and all the activities or presentations for a given weekend will be related in some way to the chosen theme. The Friends of the Planetarium will use donations from the community to purchase digital full-dome programming to complement the library being developed by Arlington Public Schools. For a complete schedule, please visit http://friendsoftheplanetarium.org/programs/.
The theme for May is Astronomy!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Screening of the documentary Saving Hubble
Saving Hubble, directed by award-winning filmmaker David Gaynes, covers the time between the Hubble Space Telescope's cancellation and NASA's reversal of the policy two years later. While the film is about the fight to save Hubble from a potential untimely demise, at its core the film frames the essential questions that Hubble itself raises: "Who are we and what are we doing here?" (http://www.savinghubble.com)
Running Time: 80 minutes
Doors Open: 7:15p.m. Show Begins: 7:30p.m.
Saturday May 18, 2013
(TWO exciting events!)
1) Screening of the digital program Magic Tree House® Space Mission
Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “-M.” The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. Magic Tree House® Space Mission is best suited forages 5 to 12 and their families. Older children familiar with the book series may also enjoy the show.
Running Time: 35 minutes
Doors Open: 6:15p.m. Show Begins: 6:30p.m.
2) Premiere of Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity, followed by Interactive Star Talk by Dr. Jessica Rosenberg
Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity is one of the most successful full-dome shows ever produced. Narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen. Audiences will be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity is best suited for ages 9 and older and their families. (http://www.spitzinc.com)
Running Time: 24 minutes(Interactive Star Talk to follow)
Doors Open: 7:15p.m. Show Begins: 7:30p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
(TWO more exciting events!)
1) Sunday Science Presentation by Mr. Nathan Secrest: “The Mysterious Origins of Supermassive Black Holes”
Nathan Secrest, George Mason University
Supermassive black holes, black holes that are millions or billions of times more massive than the Sun, are found at the center of nearly every galaxy in the Universe. Where do they come from? How are they formed? What relationship do they have with their host galaxies? What can they tell us about the early universe? In this talk, Mr. Secrest will review the status of our understanding of these mysterious and exotic objects, and will discuss his own research in this field. Mr. Secrest is a Graduate Research Assistant at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia, and is working on his PhD in physics with a concentration in astrophysics. His primary research experience centers on black holes and galaxy evolution.
Running Time: 60 minutes
Doors Open: 1:15 p.m. Presentation Begins: 1:30 p.m.
2) Screening of the digital program Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity
(See description above.)
Doors Open: 2:45p.m. Show Begins: 3:00p.m.
Admission for all programs is $3 for Children (up to age 12), Friends Members, and Seniors (60+) and $5 for teens and adults.
Ticketing will be managed online at www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org and powered by eventbrite.com. Online ticketing will end two hours prior to each show, and any unreserved seats will be made available on a first come, first served basis 15 minutes prior to the doors opening.