Planetarium Particulars

from the Dupont Planetarium at the RPSEC

Celebrate Christmas in the Planetarium with "'Tis the Season"

The annual holiday season favorite, "'Tis the Season" will be showing at the Dupont Planetarium during the month of December. Shows will be on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings (except Christmas day) at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. This seasonal planetarium show has become an annual favorite for many of our patrons. If you have come before, plan on making a visit and make this special planetarium show an annual event. If you have never seen this show, you must plan on attending so that you can see what you have been missing..

"'Tis the Season" traces the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season. The show also recounts the historical, religious and cultural customs practiced during the time of the winter solstice. Guests will see a few winter constellations and learn how the orbit of the earth around the sun causes seasons to occur. We also will explore possible astronomical explanations for the "Star over Bethlehem". When the weather is clear, the observatory housing the Bechtel Telescope will be open. Telescope viewing is free.

Make reservations by calling 641-3654

Family Night Under the Stars

November 30, 2001

Introducing the Occultation of Saturn.

 

The Augusta Astronomy Club, the Dupont Planetarium, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center will host the annual Fall Star Party on November 30, 2001. The planetarium show, "'Tis the Season" will be available for viewing. Activities will begin at dusk and continue until about 11:00 p.m. Activities will include planetarium shows, viewing of stellar objects through telescopes and lectures on astronomy. The viewing and lectures are free but there will be a charge for the planetarium shows. Planetarium shows will be offered on a first come first serve basis. The shows will begin on the hour with the first show at 6:00 p.m. The free astronomy lectures will begin at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m..

 

An occultation of Saturn will begin at 7:45 p.m. An occultation means "to cover" or "to hide." In this case, the planet Saturn will be occulted by the moon. In order to witness this event, it would be a good idea to arrive before 7:45 p.m..

 

The star party will be held rain or shine at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken. Free refreshments will be available. Plan to bring friends and your whole family to a fun-filled evening under the stars.

Planetarium Public Showing Schedule

2001

 

Month

Friday

Saturday

Month

Friday

Saturday

Nov. 2001

2

3

March 2002

1

2

16

17

15

16

Dec.

1,4,7

8,11,14

April

5

6

15,18,21

22,28,29

19

20

Jan.
2002

4

5

May

3

4

18

19

17

18

Feb.

1

2

June

7

8

15

16

21

22

November 2001 RPSEC Newsletter Index

RPSEC Newsletter Index

RPSEC Home Page

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center Newsletter is a publication of the RPSEC for educators. The Center encompasses the CSRA HUB, CEET, Dupont Planetarium, and NRSMEEP. If you have any information that would be beneficical to the audience of this newsletter, or would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Cindy Sparling, Editor, at (803) 641-3594. Deadline for submission in the next newsletter is March 15, 2002

 Copyright © 2000 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.

Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
Center of Excellence in Educational Technology
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
803-641-3313

 URL: http://rpsec.usca.edu/Newsletter/Nov01/planetarium.html (November, 2001)