The Observatory-Planetarium Public Education Nights (OPEN) program begins with a public planetarium show most Fridays at 8:00 pm. The one hour, free public shows are presented at the planetarium located in room 234 of the Health & Natural Sciences Building and are scheduled for the following Fridays:

 

1. Jan 13 2. Jan 20 3. Jan 27 4. Feb 3 5. Feb 10

6. Feb 17 7. Feb 24 8. Mar 2 9. Mar 9 (NO SHOW Mar 16 - Spring Break)

10. Mar 23 11. Mar 30 12. Apr 6 13. Apr 13 14. Apr 20 (last OPEN for spring semester)

The doors are open for seating at 7:30 pm and the show begins promptly at 8:00 pm. No admittance after the show begins. Please turn off pagers and cell phones; also no flash photography during the show. 

Format

All shows are presented live.  (i.e.: We do not currently have the capabilities for completely recorded or automated shows.) Since the shows are live with opportunities for spontaneous interaction from the audience, no two shows are exactly the same.  However, most shows have the following format.  The show (especially school shows) may begin with one or two short themed presentations. The current possible short themes are "The Space Race", "The Rabbit in the Moon", "How To See the Constellations", or "The Colors of Stars".  Then, we present a semi-automated introduction to the star talk featuring music, short videos, lighting transitions, and planetarium projector deployment.  The star talk under the simulated night sky of the planetarium usually features the current evening sky, but often includes information about the morning sky (before sunrise) as well.  The ending star talk sometimes transitions directly to the show's conclusion, but often we present a short video to conclude the show.  (See below.)  The public shows usually feature several short themed presentations that are integrated into an extended star talk.  These short "vignettes" about the night sky feature constellation figures, animations and other information graphically projected directly onto the planetarium star field.  The show typically ends with a musical conclusion featuring lighting transitions as the projector is stowed or a short astronomically or space related music video (especially school shows). The current possible music videos are "The Hubble Space Telescope's 15 Year Anniversary Music Video", "The Mars Exploration Rover Mission Overview", "The Mars Curiosity Rover", or "Back to the Moon Video Trailer".

What's Showing

Our current OPEN show is titled:  There's No Place Like Home?.  This program explores the possibilities of other Earth-like worlds.  The show begins with the "Evening Star", the planet Venus.  The planet once called "Earth's twin", will be involved in a "once in a lifetime" event when it transits the Sun on June 5th (EDT).   Planet transits are how the Kepler mission is searching for Earth-like worlds around other Sun-like stars.  We present the latest results from this important NASA program.  A seasonal star talk will acquaint the visitor with the Winter (and later in the semester, the Spring) skies.  The show concludes with a presentation about the upcoming Opposition of Mars, perhaps the most Earth-like planet in our solar system.  Images and video about the current NASA mission to the Red Planet (The Curiosity Rover) will be presented to conclude the show.  As the semester progresses, the show will include those constellations, planets and astronomical events that are visible at that time.  Occasionally, special presentations about current astronomical or space events may replace the current show.  Our school show also features seasonal constellations and begins with a short presentation entitled "A Trip to the Moon" and a musical introduction called "The Rabbit in the Moon".  Call the planetarium information line at 706-864-1471 for any special updates about the shows.  Please don't leave a message on the Planetarium line as it is intended only for special messages about upcoming shows or cancellations.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR SPRING 2012:

A special Mars Opposition Watch at NGAO (the University Observatory) is scheduled for Friday, March 2 through the weekend to Monday, March 5.  The observatory will be open at 9:30 pm if conditions are clear.  (Call the Observatory Info line after 8 pm - 706-864-8642)  The OPEN program public planetarium show on Friday, March 2nd will emphasize the Mars opposition with special presentations. 

Venus Transit Preliminary Announcement: 

On June 5th (EDT), Venus will begin to transit the Sun shortly before the Sun sets at Dahlonega.  We are planning a public Venus Transit Watch to allow safe observations of this rare event.  Once the plans are finalized, this event will be posted on the NGCSU On-line Events Calendar and on the Summer 2012 Schedule web page.

Observatory

Weather permitting, we invite visitors out to the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory (NGAO) for viewing through the 16" Boller & Chiven research grade telescope.  Click here for local maps to the Observatory and Planetarium. Directions will also be provided at the end of the Planetarium show.  Call the observatory information line at 706-864-8642 for daily opening status.  (Message is updated daily about 8 pm EDT.)  Please don't leave a message on the Observatory line as it is intended only for opening status info. 

School and other group shows may be reserved this semester primarily on Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm.  We now have a flat fee of $85 per 1-hr show for groups.   For more information about payment and reserving planetarium shows for school or other groups, e-mail Dr. Jones at jjones@northgeorgia.edu.