New Program Highlights UW Planetarium Schedule During July

Published June 26, 2024

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graphic showing satellites
NASA and its international partners operate several Earth-observing satellites that closely follow one another along the same, or very similar, orbital track. Here, a coordinated group of satellites is in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, crossing the equator in an ascending northbound direction at about 1:30 p.m. local solar time -- hence the name Afternoon Constellation. The UW Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will host a new program titled “Remote Sensing: Eyes in the Sky” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 12. (NASA Photo)

After a short break for the Fourth of July weekend, ĂÛŃżTV Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will light up its own sky the rest of the month with various programs, including a new one focused on remote sensing.

“Our first show will be a brand-new presentation on remote sensing with oodles of breathtaking data to observe in the dome Friday, July 12,” says Max Gilbraith, the planetarium’s coordinator. “We’ll also be showing our newly acquired film collection ‘One Sky’ again July 27.”

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 /uwplanetarium/ticket.aspx. For a group larger than six, email the planetarium for a private show at . 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 July schedule is:

-- Thursday-Sunday, July 4-7: The planetarium will be closed for the Fourth of July weekend.

-- Friday, July 12, 7 p.m.: “Remote Sensing: Eyes in the Sky.” NASA defines remote sensing as obtaining information about an object from a distance. From satellites to drones, our eyes in the sky are used to learn about our planet and how it changes over time. Discover the history and future of this growing area of research and the many ways it is being used around the world and beyond.

-- Saturday, July 13, 2 p.m.: “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” a full-dome movie. Learn the history of the telescope, from Galileo’s modifications to a child’s spyglass -- using two small pieces of glass -- to the launch of the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy.

-- Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’” a music-based light show. Enjoy the classic album 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.

-- Thursday, July 18, 4-7 p.m.: “Dome Club.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity 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, July 19, 7 p.m.: “Meet the Planets.” This program provides a tour of the sun’s planets and moons. Learn the discoveries, exploration and feats of technology that have probed the solar system.

-- Saturday, July 20, 2 p.m.: “Dawn of the Space Age,” a full-dome movie. The program explores the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights.

-- Saturday, July 20, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Indie Folk,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” indie folk music from top 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.

-- Thursday, July 25, 4-7 p.m.: “Dome Club.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity is free and takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.

-- Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.: “You Are a Star!” This program tracks energy and matter throughout all of time and space to trace it right to you. Discover how and why you are a star.

-- Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.: “One Sky,” a full-dome series of short films. Each short film represents the perspective of a different culture or Indigenous society from around the globe. Each film stands alone as a short story, or in combination, as a longer narrative organized around themes of “finding patterns” and developing tools. Short films are “The Forge of Artemis,” “Thunderbird,” “Jai Singh’s Dream,” “Celestial Canoe,” “The Samurai and Stars” and “Wayfinders.”

-- Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Metal,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” music from top artists in metal 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.

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