Public Programs
Current Shows
SHOWTIMES: Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Monday evenings at 8 p.m.
Sky Quest Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
SHOWDATES January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 4, 11, and April 1
(No shows Mar 18, 25, or April 8)
Come along with a young woman on her personal quest to find a special place in the night sky. Starting with her childhood adventures on Mars (thanks to a cardboard rocket) and on to the discovery of her “birthday star”, these experiences eventually led her to becoming an astronomer. During the remainder of the program she shares telescopic views of celestial objects and describes the night sky. Sky Quest is narrated by Roxann Dawson (the actress who portrays B’Elanna Torres on TV’s Star Trek: Voyager) and it is an entertaining and educational exploration of the night sky that appeals to family members of all ages.
NIGHT SKIES OF WINTER Mondays at 8:00 p.m.
SHOWDATES
January 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 5, 12, 26 (No show Mar 19)
As the seasons change, so to does our view of the night sky. These evening programs take a fairly detailed view of the stars and constellations that are visible in the winter, and by March, the early spring skies. These programs are also an excellent introduction to the objects that you may see at the observatory. Following these Monday programs we will escort you (IF THE SKIES ARE CLEAR) to the observatory where trained assistants give you an opportunity to view some of these objects for yourself through our telescope. Join us in viewing the universe in the star theater at 8 p.m. then (IF CLEAR) viewing the actual universe through the UWSP observatory's 0.4 m (16 inch) telescope. (Observatory is closed on March 19)
NOTE: Observatory inside temperature is the same as the outside air temperature.
The doors will open 30 minutes before shows
THESE PROGRAMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE
Future Shows
Journey to the Stars
SHOWDATES April 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20 (No shows April 8)
Did you ever wonder what types of objects make up our vastly large universe? Or how some things you see in the night sky could be explained? If so, this show is for you. During the program, we will take a look at how astronomers study the heavens, mainly with the use of different kinds of telescopes. Using these huge light collectors, they have been able to see heavenly objects that inspire wonder and delight. Throughout the show, we will be taking a survey of the known universe. We answer several important questions such as, “How big is our solar system? How big is the universe? What are stars like? Where are the other galaxies located?” Naturally we see things like shooting stars and the northern lights, we also see our satellites going around. This leads to the show’s conclusion, a look at humankind’s future in space.