This month the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will be hosting two international planetarians and a new full-dome movie that will present the history of a humanity’s pursuit of space exploration.
“Join us this April at the UW planetarium to celebrate the future of space exploration and the history of mankind’s desire to gaze toward the heavens,” said Samantha Ogden, the planetarium’s coordinator, in release. “During the second weekend of April, we invite two special guest planetarians to present their country’s history and culture.”
Australian storyteller, musician and educator Paul Taylor will give a free presentation “Aboriginal Skies” at 8 p.m. on Friday, about Aboriginal beliefs on the heavens.
Visiting Brazilian planetarian Guillermo Marranghello give a presentation titled “Brazilian Indigenous Constellations” on Saturday about Brazilian astronomical mythology at 11 a.m. and then 4 p.m. Visiting from Planetário da Unipampa in Brazil, Marranghello share information about his local astronomy as well as stargazing and mythologies regarding his skies in Brazil.
“I’m going to present some similarities and differences between the Wyoming sky and the sky from the very south of Brazil, where I live,” Marranghello said in a release. “Then, I’m going to present Brazilian folk stories and some Indian representations about constellations, lunar phases and the myths about the beginning of the world.”
Both events will be held in UW’s planetarium, which is located in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building.
The event will cost adult attendees $4, $3 for children and anyone 5 years old and under will be admitted for free. Tickets for this unique event can be purchased Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Department of Physics and Astronomy main office, which is located in Room 204 of the Physical Sciences Building. Tickets may also be purchased online at the planetarium website, WyomingSpaceGrant.org/planetarium/shows.
Doors will open 20 minutes before the presentation starts, where tickets may also be bought if any are still available.
This new content comes with some changes for the planetarium schedule, reflect its upcoming summer schedule. Showings on Fridays will now be starting at 8 p.m. along with STAR Observatory tours running from 9 to 10 p.m. Children planetarium showings on Saturdays will be starting at 11 a.m. There will also be five of Tuesday night shows this month starting at 7 p.m.
For more details regarding all upcoming shows at the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium, visit their website.
