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UW-Stevens Point offering planetarium shows this October

September 23, 2024
The show “The Sun, Our Living Star” will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 20, as part of the free planetarium programs offered through UW-Stevens Point this October.
The show “The Sun, Our Living Star” will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 20, as part of the free planetarium programs offered through UW-Stevens Point this October.


Rocket out of orbit this October at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.

Planetarium shows will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sundays in October. 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:

  • Oct. 6 – 2 p.m. “Dinosaur Prophecy” – Discover the lives of dinosaurs long before their massive extinction.
  • Oct. 13– 2 p.m. “Night of the Titanic” – Experience what it was like to stand on the Titanic the night it sank and learn about ocean currents, iceberg formation and drift and global warming.
  • Oct. 20 – 2 p.m. “The Sun, Our Living Star” – Discover the secrets of our Sun with never-before-seen images of the Sun’s surface.
  • Oct. 27 – 2 p.m. “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage” – Witness what it takes to embark on the first human mission beyond Earth’s orbit.

A Junior Scientist planetarium program, “Magic Globe, A Story of the Seasons,” will be offered 3:40-4:10 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27, 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.