Heitkamp Planetarium Schedule for 2009-2010 Academic Year
Friday, September 25 (Homecoming) “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Solar System”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will present a cosmic journey through our Solar System that includes the dwarf planet Pluto and beyond, exploring along the way the planets and their moons along with comets and asteroids. We will concentrate on potential environments that might harbor life or be able to support human colonies of exploration. (Presenter: Joe McGerr)
Friday, October 23 (Family Weekend) “Exploring the Hubble Space Telescope”
The Hubble Space Telescope is entering its 20th year of showing us some of the best pictures of deep space ever. We will explore the obstacles that Hubble has had to overcome as well as its extraordinary discoveries along with what’s next for Hubble and a preview of its successor. (Presenter: Laura Rieger)
Friday, November 6 “Archaeo-astronomy”
What significance did the night sky have for the ancient Mayans and Aztecs? Join us as we tour the importance ascribed to the heavens by these ancient cultures. (Presenter: Meghan Wolett)
Friday, December 4 “The Christmas Star”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will look back in history in an attempt to examine possible celestial phenomena that could have produced a temporary object in the sky that is now known as the Christmas star or the star of Bethlehem. (Presenter: Matt Busta)
Friday, February 19 (Sibling Weekend) “A Star is Born”
There is much more to the lives of stars than just those seemingly constant dots of light we see in the night sky. Those tiny dots are actually giant condensed balls of gas, but how did they get started? Join us as we learn about the birth of a star and their effects on surrounding space. (Presenter: Laura Rieger)
Friday, March 19 “The Dark Side of the Universe”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will explore galaxies and nebulae, some of the most magnificent masterpieces of the universe. We will discuss these amazing astronomical structures set to the soundtrack of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. (Presenter: Joe McGerr)
Friday, April 16 “Mars Exploration”
Ever wonder what the two little rovers Spirit and Opportunity have been up to since landing on the red planet five years ago? Come join us as we explore the red planet and the mysteries that have unfolded. (Presenter: Meghan Wolett)
Friday, May 7 “Invisible Sky”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will examine objects that cannot be directly observed but only detected by their interference on neighboring visible objects. Relatively little is known about these masses but theories to their origin, their effects on the universe and other information will be presented. (Presenter: Matt Busta)
All shows begin promptly at 7:00 pm; please no late admittance once the show has commenced for safety reasons due to the darkness inside the planetarium. All shows are open to the public with a $1.00 suggested donation. The Heitkamp Planetarium is pleased to schedule age-appropriate shows for school groups and scout organizations; contact Ms. Colleen Fitzpatrick at 563-588-7145 or at colleen.fitzpatrick@loras.edu, for information and scheduling. |
