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Northcountry Planetarium Schedules Fall Public Shows


The Northcountry Planetarium, located in Hudson Hall at Plattsburgh State University of New York, has scheduled the following public shows for the Fall 2003 semester.

Friday Sept. 5                           (7 & 8:30 p.m.)                          September Ephemeris 2003 
This month, as we make the transition from summer to autumn skies, we find planet Mars dominating in the Southeast.  This show will provide an introduction to the coming sky events of the month with a special look at the red planet.

Friday Sept. 19                         (6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 p.m.)            Skies of Jade
                                                                                                    Special Family Weekend Show
In 1054, a brilliant supernova explosion left a great expanding cloud known as the Crab Nebula.  The explosion was so bright, it should have been visible in daylight for many days.  There is no mention of this event in any European records.  During a period of more than a thousand years, even the most brilliant astronomical events were not recorded in Europe.  However, astronomers of the Orient carefully recorded sky events.  Today, the only record we have of many comets, eclipses and supernovas are from the royal observatories of ancient China.  In this show, we look at those ancient records and examine reasons why they were not observed in Europe.

Friday Oct. 3                             (7 & 8:30 p.m.)                          October Ephemeris 2003
Arcturus is low in the West at sunset and Pegasus is rising into the eastern sky by now.  As the evening passes, the bright stars of the summer give way to the somewhat dimmer skies of autumn.  In the dark skies hide many lovely jewels for those who know where to look.  Tonight, we will search for some of the sky treasures of autumn.

Friday Oct. 17                           (4 & 6 p.m.)                              The Light Hearted Astronomer  
Saturday Oct. 18                       (3 p.m.)                                      Special Homecoming Weekend Program
Based on the book by Ken Fulton, this show is a down-home laid-back introduction to backyard amateur astronomy.  If you've ever been "star- struck" just looking up at the vastness and beauty of the night skies, this show is for you.  You will be shown a completely honorable method for developing a truly sensuous relationship with the Universe.

Friday, Nov. 7                           (7 & 8:30 p.m.)                          The Skies of Jade
In 1054, a brilliant supernova explosion left a great expanding cloud known as the Crab Nebula.  The explosion was so bright, it should have been visible in daylight for many days.  There is no mention of this event in any European records.  During a period of more than a thousand years, even the most brilliant astronomical events were not recorded in Europe.  However, astronomers of the Orient carefully recorded sky events.  Today, the only record we have of many comets, eclipses and supernovas are from the royal observatories of ancient China.  In this show, we look at those ancient records and examine reasons why they were not observed in Europe.

Friday, Nov 21                          (7 & 8:30 p.m.)                          Winter Ephemeris 2003
In the coming month, Taurus and Orion rise in the early evening heralding the brilliant stars of the winter skies.  Mars, which dominated our autumn skies, now dims in the Southwest as it is joined in the sky by the rising Saturn.  Although the days grow colder, the night sky blazes forth with new brilliance. Tonight we explore the coming skies of winter.

Friday, Dec. 5                           (7 & 8:30 p.m.)                           Director's Choice
                                                                                                     Show topic to be announced

The Northcountry Planetarium is located in Hudson Hall at Plattsburgh State University of New York at the intersection of Broad and Beekman Streets.  Tickets for all shows except the special Family Weekend and Homecoming Weekend shows are available during the week of the show at the Angell College Center Information Desk.  Tickets are $2 per person. 

Tickets for the special Family Weekend and Homecoming shows are distributed to participants in the events and are generally not available for those not involved in the events.

Special interest groups, clubs or school programs are available, but must be scheduled by appointment. For more information please call 518-564-3168.

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