Planetarium showings offered at UW-Stevens Point in October

Explore the cosmos 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. 5 - Europe to the Stars - Explore the most powerful ground-based telescopes in the world.
• Oct. 12 - The Hot and Energetic Universe - See real life imagery of modern astronomical observations from supermassive blackholes, supernovas and more while learning how these phenomena work.
• Oct. 19 - Musica - Why is the Universe Beautiful?* - See how art, music, physics and mathematics are fundamentally related and an integral part of the beauty of the universe.
• Oct. 26 - 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.

*The Oct. 19 and 26 programs are included in the Wisconsin Science Festival.

A Junior Scientist planetarium program, "Understanding the Basics of the Calendar," will be offered 3:30-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12 , with a book reading session starting at 3 p.m. This program is in collaboration with the UW-Stevens Point Olson Museum of Natural History.

The Blocher Planetarium will also be hosting planetarium shows and a stargazing session during Homecoming/Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 18:

• 10 a.m. - From Earth to the Universe
• 11 a.m. - Supermassive Black Holes
• 1 p.m. - Out There - The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds
• 2 p.m. - Phantom of the Universe - The Hunt for Dark Matter
• 3 p.m. - Mars, The Ultimate Voyage
• 4 p.m. - Sunstruck

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 uwsp.edu/smcpa/blocher-planetarium.