This photo of the Aurora Borealis storm was taken in Fairbanks, Alaska, Nov. 12. The
program “Aurorae Dancing Lights” is scheduled Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in UW’s Harry
C. Vaughan Planetarium. (Kaycee Condor Photo)
The University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will host a Christmas-themed
program, “Star of the Magi,” twice during December.
“We invite everyone, including the general public, UW students, faculty, staff and
K-12 students to come to a planetarium show this December,” says Max Gilbraith, the
planetarium’s director. “During this special time of year, we are honored to host
two live presentations of ‘Star of the Magi’ from UW astronomer Chip Kobulnicky for
Saturdays Dec. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. ‘Star of the Magi’ explores celestial possibilities
that may underlie the storied ‘star that rose in the East’ leading the ‘magi’ to the
birthplace of Jesus.”
Gilbraith adds that, while the last public shows of the year are scheduled Saturday,
Dec. 13, the planetarium is available for private bookings through Tuesday, Dec. 23.
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 www.uwyo.edu/uwplanetarium/ticket.aspx. For a group larger than six, email the planetarium for a private show at https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKuqIynOn7gFK2F. 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 December schedule is:
— Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.: “Wyoming Skies: Geminid Meteor Shower and the Winter Solstice.”
The program will prepare the audience for the month’s astronomical event highlights,
including the shortest day of the year, the solstice and the spectacular Geminid meteor
shower.
— Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.: “Aurorae Dancing Lights.” For millennia, our ancestors
looked in awe at the “dawn in the North,” better known as the Aurora Borealis. What
causes this display in the sky? Where does it occur? Do other planets have aurorae?
A tour from the surface of the sun out to the magnetic poles of the solar system will
help attendees learn the answers.
— Friday, Dec. 5, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Space Rock,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” space rock music in 5.1 surround sound.
The 4K-resolution planetarium sky melts and becomes a canvas of color, patterns and
movement with cutting-edge music visualization software and live VJ talent.
— Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.: “Star of the Magi.” Learn about the heavens, wonder and
speculate with Chip Kobulnicky, an astronomer and a UW professor of physics and astronomy,
as he presents some of the celestial possibilities that may underlie the storied “star
that rose in the East” that led the magi to the birthplace of Jesus.
— Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: “Dawn of the Space Age” explores the launch of the first
artificial satellite, Sputnik, the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated
space flights.
— Saturday, Dec. 6, 8:30 p.m. “Liquid Sky: Holiday Hits,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” holiday music from 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.
— Friday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.: “Frozen Worlds.” The poles of Earth may contain frozen
water, but they are hardly the only place. Farther from the sun, it gets chillier
still with carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen and nitrogen freezing as we get to Mars;
the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune; and the minor planet Pluto.
— Friday, Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Holiday Hits,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” holiday music from 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.
— Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.: “Star of the Magi.” Learn about the heavens, wonder
and speculate with Chip Kobulnicky, an astronomer and a UW professor of physics and
astronomy, as he presents some of the celestial possibilities that may underlie the
storied “star that rose in the East” that led the magi to the birthplace of Jesus.
— Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.: “We Are Stars” and “The Great Solar System Adventure,”
two full-dome movies. “We Are Stars” connects life on Earth to the evolution of the
universe by following the formation of hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of carbon and
the molecules for life. This film is narrated by Andy Serkis.
During “The Great Solar System Adventure,” join showman extraordinaire “The Great
Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within
his wondrous observatorium. From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses
of Pluto and beyond, the audience will be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders
of our solar system.
— Saturday, Dec. 13, 8:30 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Holiday Hits,” a music-based light show.
Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” holiday music from 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.
— Wednesday, Dec. 24-Thursday, Jan. 1: The planetarium will be closed for Christmas
break. The planetarium’s regular public schedule will resume in January.
For more detailed descriptions of all programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/physics/planetarium/schedule.html.