The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Central Arkansas invites the public to experience astronomical phenomena through a different scope on the universitys campus. <\/p>\n
This spring, three planetarium shows are planned Feb. 4, March 4 and April 1 and four observatory nights are scheduled Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18 and April 15. <\/p>\n
Admission is free and open to anyone in the community for the shows. <\/p>\n
Planned programs are subject to cancellation or delay based on the possibility of technical difficulties or weather. <\/p>\n
Scott Austin, director of UCA Astronomical Facilities, said the planetarium in Lewis Science Center 010 acts as a sky theater for the audience to see a projection of how the sky appears on a 30-foot diameter dome through a Spitz 512 projector. <\/p>\n
What I do for these shows for the general public is, I give a tour of the sky for that particular month, he said. The stars, the constellations, planets, special events like meteor showers. <\/p>\n
Each planetarium show, about an hour in length, also includes flying the audience through astronomical data. <\/p>\n
The 60-seat planetarium in UCAs Lewis Science Center hosts the shows on Wednesdays starting at 7 p.m. <\/p>\n
I go over scientific discoveries so theres a science education aspect to it, Austin said, adding that hes explained landings on Mars and comet fly-bys at previous shows. <\/p>\n
Austin said the program began in the 1980s upon completion of an addition to Lewis Science Center. He has been in charge of the planetarium programs here since 2000. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here:<\/p>\n
UCA's planetarium, observatory invites community to explore astronomy<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Central Arkansas invites the public to experience astronomical phenomena through a different scope on the universitys campus. This spring, three planetarium shows are planned Feb. Continue reading