Screening of the digital program "Exploding Universe"

Sept. 20, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

Exploding Universe. Credit: Clark Planetarium, http://clarkplanetarium.org.

Explosive events explain the structure and composition of the universe we live in today. When giant stars detonate as “supernovae” they seed the galaxies with heavy elements that make planets and life possible. Some collisions we are only just now starting to understand. For example, when Black Holes collide, they can throw off some of the most energetic particles known, ripping and warping space as they go. But other outbursts have profound effects as well, such as the beauty and power of supervolcanoes, which have contributed to the transformation of our world into the life-bearing oasis we now enjoy. (Courtesy: Clark Planetarium. )

Target Audience: General Public, ages 10+.

Running time: 30 minutes (Interactive Star Talk inside the dome to follow).

After the final show in the dome for the evening, join us for stargazing outside on the deck and grassy areas around the planetarium. We are hoping to have several telescopes set up around the building, so visitors can wander around and check out different celestial wonders and see how different telescopes work. Please feel free to bring your own, and/or check out the view through the ones that are set up by others. The event will be held weather permitting, so we are hoping for a clear night. The waning crescent moon will rise around 10:51pm, so will not be in the visible sky during this event. The David M. Brown Planetarium is located at 1426 N. Quincy Street in Arlington, VA.

For more information, see SEPTEMBER 2014 FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM PROGRAMMING: Sept. 19-21, 2014

Doors open: 7 p.m. Show begins: 7:30 p.m.

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 7 p.m. However, although we will do whatever we can to seat all comers, there is no guarantee of admission without a reservation.