Statesman

Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Tyler Sweeney

UMD has a planetarium connected to Marshall W. Alworth Hall that is open for free public shows every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to explore the incredible night sky.

The first show of every month is a star show and general introduction to the night sky called Stargazing Tonight, where you can expect to find out what constellations will be up that month.

A local club called the Arrowhead Astronomical Society puts on a show for the second Wednesday of every month. The third and fourth Wednesday of the month feature shows that are an hour long, usually divided in half between a special topics power point on astronomy and a star show.

"It tends to be informative and fun," said Joshua Carlson, a student employee at the planetarium. He considers the show to be the main attraction.

There is a star machine that projects the night sky on to the interior of the dome. The planetarium was built in the mid-1960s and still uses the original star machine.

"I found it really interesting and helpful to see a visual example of what we had been learning in class," sophomore Heidi Clement said. Clement went to the planetarium for her astronomy class last year.

Even if you are not in astronomy or never plan to be, going to the planetarium can be a fun and educational experience for anyone. Impress your friends and expand your knowledge of the outside world and beyond.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools