Journey light years away from home this November at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.
Planetarium shows will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sundays in November. All regular public shows are around one hour long and include a 25-min presentation focusing on the current night sky of Central Wisconsin (bright stars, constellations, planets, etc.) All events are free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated and help continue these programs:
- Nov. 3 – 2 p.m. “Exoplanets: Discovering New Worlds” – Discovering planets is one thing; finding life on those worlds is the next challenge. Hear the story of our search for alien worlds.
- Nov. 10– 2 p.m. “Planets of the Solar System – A Live Tour of the Solar System” –See the amazing celestial bodies within our Solar System and reveal some of their exceptional characteristics.
- Nov. 17 – 2 p.m. “Unveiling the Invisible Universe” – Explore the cosmos as revealed by all its different messengers throughout the history of astronomy.
- Nov. 24 – 2 p.m. “Touching the Edge of the Universe” – Hear the story of astronomy from the time of Galileo and his simple optical telescope to today’s sophisticated space astronomy missions and experience an entirely new view of the cosmos.
A Junior Scientist planetarium program, “Sky Quest,” will be offered 3:40-4:10 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, with a book reading season starting at 3 p.m. This program is in collaboration with the UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History.
Planetarium seating is first come, first served for up to 55 people. Groups of eight or more may schedule a special showing of any planetarium program by calling 715-346-2208 or completing an online request form. There is a cost for these requests.
The planetarium is located on the second floor of the UW-Stevens Point Science Building, 2001 Fourth Ave., Stevens Point. Parking is available in Lot D behind the building and is free in all university lots after 7 p.m. and on weekends.
Stargazing sessions are available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 8:30-10 p.m., weather dependent, on Colman field, located on the corner of Maria St. and Reserve St. Viewings will be held only if the skies are clear and the temperature is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Please check the department’s website linked below for weather status updates.
Learn more at https://www.uwsp.edu/smcpa/blocher-planetarium.
