Travel the greater universe this September at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.
Planetarium shows will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sundays in September. 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:
- Sept. 1 – 2 p.m. “The Universe in a Room: The Story of The Planetarium” – Travel back 100 years to re-live the challenges and triumphs behind the birth of the modern planetarium.
- Sept. 8 – 2 p.m. “Spark: The Universe in Us” – Explore how hundreds of millions of celestial events have forged the elements that make up the Solar System, Earth and us.
- Sept. 15 – 2 p.m. “Starlight” – Go on an out-of-this-world journey to discover constellations and ancient cultures, the birth and death of a star and the inner workings of our Sun.
- Sept. 22 – 2 p.m. “Arcs To Auroras” – Learn about the magnetic fields that protect our planet and the history and legends of the auroras.
- Sept. 29 – 2 p.m. “Death of the Dinosaurs” – See how dinosaurs lived and survived on the earth millions of years ago and even watch the cataclysmic event that lead to their ultimate extinction.
A Junior Scientist planetarium program, “Lars, the Little Polar Bear,” will be offered 3:40-4:10 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, 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.
Starting Monday, Sept. 9, 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.