Get a better picture of our universe this April at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.
Planetarium shows will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sundays in April. All regular public shows are around one hour long and include a 25-min presentation focusing on the current night sky of Central Wisconsin (bright stars, constellations, planets, etc.) All events are free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated and help continue these programs. Laser light shows will be offered at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. April 1-14. Tickets will be available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. and will be valid for that day only. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for students and $6 for UWSP students with a student ID:
- April 12 – 2 p.m. “One Sky Project” –Through a collection of short films, learn how different cultures see and interpret humanity’s shared sky.
- April 19 – 2 p.m. “Sunstruck” – Gain an enhanced understanding of the Sun and how it impacts our world.
- April 26 – 2 p.m. “Mapping the Universe with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Survey (DESI)” – The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating the most detailed map of our nearby universe. DESI’s 5000 independently operated robots can measure the light from thousands of galaxies at once. Explore the science, instrument, and people behind this global endeavor.
Three shows will be offered Saturday, April 11, as part of UW-Stevens Point’s annual Collection Crawl through the Olson Museum of Natural History:
- 9:30 a.m. – “Dinosaurs” (9 min.)
- 10 a.m. – “Explore Earth” (14 min.)
- 10:30 a.m. – “Travelling Around the World” (14 min.)
- 11 a.m. – “Mysteries of Your Brain” (22 min.)
- 11:30 a.m. – “Lila – The Adventure of Change” (14 min.)
Laser light shows include:
- April 1 – “Pink Floyd – The Wall”
- April 2 – “Laser Beatles”
- April 3 – “Laser Taylor Swift”
- April 4 – “Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon”
A Junior Scientist planetarium program, “Mysteries of Your Brain” will be offered 3:30-4:10 p.m., Sunday, April 12, with a book reading season starting at 3 p.m. This program is in collaboration with the Olson UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History.
Planetarium seating is first come, first served for up to 55 people. Groups of eight or more may schedule a special showing of any planetarium program by calling 715-346-2120 or completing an online request form. There is a cost for these requests.
The planetarium is located on the second floor of the UW-Stevens Point Science Building, 2001 Fourth Ave., Stevens Point. Parking is available in Lot D behind the building and is free in all university lots after 7 p.m. and on weekends.
Stargazing sessions are available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 8:30-10 p.m., weather dependent, on Colman field, located on the corner of Maria St. and Reserve St. Viewings will be held only if the skies are clear and the temperature is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Learn more and find stargazing weather updates at uwsp.edu/smcpa/blocher-planetarium.