Dec. 13, 2013, 6:30 p.m.

1) Screening of original digital program An Astronomer Looks for the Christmas Star

In this first ever program to be produced entirely by members of the Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium, we will explore the natural phenomena that could have been the basis for the Biblical account of the Christmas Star. Using the new projector and its state-of-the-art planetarium software, we will travel back in time and space to see the skies of Bethlehem and Judea at the traditional time of the birth of Christ. The audience will be invited to explore the possibilities and vote for the explanation that seems most probable. Along the way, they will discover why some of the celestial events and phenomena that appear from time to time in the nighttime sky inspired both awe and apprehension among ancient peoples, and still do in modern times!  Target audience is all ages.  The digital show will be followed by Q&A with Dr. Alice Monet, President of the Friends of the Planetarium, and Planetarium Director Jonathan Harmon.

Event Length: approximately 40 minutes

Showtimes:

Friday, December 13, 2013:  6:30pm (doors open 15 minutes prior)

Saturday December 14, 2013:  6:30pm (doors open 15 minutes prior)

Admission for this Friends of the Planetarium (FOP) program is $3 for Children (up to age 12), $5 for Friends, Members, and Seniors (60+), and $7 for teens and adults.

Ticketing for this program 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. Further details and ticket reservations/sales are available at www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org.

Our capacity is 58 seats. We set aside 20 seats to accommodate those who arrive without a reservation, so if the show is sold out you can still try to attend by arriving close to 6 p.m. However, although we will do whatever we can to seat all comers, there is no guarantee of admission without a reservation.