UNR NEWS — Set to host a number of special 50th anniversary events and new shows from Nov. 8, 2013, through Jan. 12, 2014, Fleischmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno is inviting the community to help celebrate 50 years of science education and engagement in northern Nevada.
“Since our grand opening on November 15, 1963, as the Fleischmann Atmospherium, the Planetarium has served more than half a million northern Nevada students, K through 12, through field trip programs in collaboration with Nevada’s school system,” said Dan Ruby, associate director of the planetarium. “We’re proud to say we’ve also hosted more than a million community members and more than a million visitors to Reno through our star shows, telescope viewings and science exhibits. Our visitors and loyal members are the real reason we are celebrating our 50th this year.”
Special events, lectures, fulldome planetarium shows and retro pricing during Nov. 2013-Jan. 2014 include:
Friday Vintage Live SkyTonight Star Talks
Nov. 8-Dec. 20, 2013, Fridays, 6-7 p.m.
Join the Planetarium for a weekly, fulldome look at what’s up in the sky tonight, presented the way we used to back in the day in our vintage Skies Over Nevada series. Live Star Talks are $7 adults and $5 children ages 3-12, seniors 60 and over, and UNR faculty, staff and students; shows are FREE for Planetarium members. For the full schedule of current fulldome planetarium shows, Nov. 8-Jan. 12, visit http://www.planetarium.unr.edu/Now_Showing.html .
Friday Travels-Through-Time Talks
Nov. 8-Dec. 20, 2013, Fridays, 7-8 p.m.
Take a weekly look back at every decade since 1963, with the Planetarium’s special guest speakers past and present. The schedule includes:
Nov. 8: M. Boone Hellmann ~ architect and son of our visionary architect Raymond Hellmann ~ on the genesis and design of our iconic building
Nov. 15: Kim Berry ~ our neighbor as a young boy and son of Ed Berry, who captured the time-lapse film of our construction ~ on the 1960s, with awesome photos
Nov. 22: Ron James ~ one of our student employees in the 1970s and recently retired state preservation officer who helped place us on the National Register
Dec. 6: Arthur Johnson ~ our director (1973-2002) and “voice of the Planetarium” ~ on the 1980s, the return of Halley’s Comet and our cool time capsule that accompanied the event
Dec. 13: Tony Berendsen ~ expert star guide at Tahoe Star Tours ~ on the 1990s and the Planetarium’s place as a nexus for astronomical activity and community outreach
Dec. 20: Dan Ruby ~ our director (2002-present) ~ on the 21st century and our vision of the future as a learning lab to connect University students and researchers with K-12 students and the community
Friday Travels-Through-Time Talks are $7 adults and $5 children ages 3-12, seniors 60 and over, and UNR faculty, staff and students; shows are FREE for Planetarium members.For the full schedule of 50th anniversary events, Nov. 8, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014, visit http://www.planetarium.unr.edu/50th_Events.html .
$1 per-show admission every weekend
Nov. 9, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014, Saturdays and Sundays
The Planetarium is offering “retro” 1963 time-machine pricing every weekend for every fulldome show. All weekend fulldome shows are $1 per show; all weekday shows are $7 adults and $5 children ages 3-12, seniors 60 and over, and UNR faculty, staff and students; shows are FREE for Planetarium members. For the full schedule of current fulldome planetarium shows, visit http://www.planetarium.unr.edu/Now_Showing.html .
Fulldome Planetarium shows including Exploding Universe and Seasonal Stargazing
Nov. 9, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014 (open daily)
Opening the Planetarium’s 50th Anniversary Season is the fulldome show Exploding Universe, featuring our newest iteration of planetarium projection technology as well as cutting-edge space science research and visualization. This brand new show features such explosive events as supernovae and colliding black holes, super volcanoes and proton collisions. All weekend fulldome shows are $1 per show; all weekday shows are $7 adults and $5 children ages 3-12, seniors 60 and over, and UNR faculty, staff and students; shows are FREE for Planetarium members. For the full schedule of current planetarium shows, Nov. 9-Jan. 12, visit http://www.planetarium.unr.edu/Now_Showing.html .
Science Saturdays in the Exhibit Hall
Nov. 9, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014, Saturdays (and open daily)
Come by every Saturday and check out cool science demos, hands-on activities, and community partners including the Challenger Learning Center of Northern Nevada and the Astronomical Society of Nevada. Watch for the full schedule of events, including the Nov. 23 Challenger Learning Center SpaceFlight Lab, from noon-3 p.m., followed by a telescope clinic for telescope owners with the Astronomical Society of Nevada from 2-4 p.m. Science Saturdays and ALL Exhibit Hall events and exhibits are free for all visitors everyday! For the full schedule of 50th anniversary events and shows, visit http://www.planetarium.unr.edu/50th_Events.html .
