BAY CITY, MI The Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center in downtown Bay City is inviting community members to turn their eyes to the skies this weekend in celebration of Astronomy Day.

Planetariums, museums, science centers and astronomy clubs all around the world try to have an organized day that helps people get interested in astronomy, said Planetarium Show Specialist William Mitchell. Perhaps you have never had a chance to look at Saturn. This is an opportunity for that.

Astronomy Day is an international event that encourages an interest in the sun, moon, planets and deep-sky objects.

The planetarium, located at 100 Center Ave., is marking the occasion with a variety of shows and activities for both families and individuals of any age with an interest in astronomy.

A double-feature of "Moon" and "Fly Me to the Moon," targeted to a family audience, kicks off the event at 2 p.m.

After the show, attendees can make and launch rockets and, weather permitting, take part in solar observation on the planetariums solar deck using high-powered telescopes.

We have several telescopes that children can use to safely observe sun spots and solar flares assuming that the sky is clear, Mitchell said.

Astronomy Day activities continue at 8 p.m. with another double-feature "Stars" and "Solar Quest."

'Stars' and 'Solar Quest' is all about the powerhouses of the universe: how they are born, how they live and how their lives might end, Mitchell said. 'Solar Quest' is about our star, and how it promotes life and also endangers life here on earth.

Following that presentation, again weather permitting, the planetarium will open the observation deck and its telescopes for night-sky viewing. If the sky is overcast, however, the planetarium will use its theatre to simulate the night sky as it would look over Bay City on a clear night devoid of light pollution.

Excerpt from:

Delta College Planetarium celebrating Astronomy Day this weekend