St. Vincent College announces upcoming planeterium shows
LATROBE — St. Vincent College will present eight upcoming planetarium shows in the Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium and Astronaut Exhibit in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion on the campus of St. Vincent College. Admission is free and open to the public.
The one-hour shows, all scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., include late fall sky and Dynamic Earth, Dec. 8; The Star of Bethlehem Christmas Show, Dec. 22 and Jan. 5; winter sky and Oasis in Space, Jan. 12; winter sky and Two Small Pieces of Glass, Feb. 9; early spring sky and Oasis in Space, March 16; spring sky and Two Small Pieces of Glass, April 13; and spring sky and Dynamic Earth, May 4.
They are conducted by one of the faculty members in astronomy from the college’s Department of Physics, Dr. John Smetanka or Dr. Daniel Vanden Berk. Selected deep sky objects — star clusters, nebula and galaxies — will be viewed along with simulated trips to planets and moons in the solar system. All shows except Dec. 22 and Jan. 5 will end with a 25-minute theatrically-produced full-dome immersive video.
A second, 30-minute show appropriate for children age 3 to 10, The Sky Over Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, will be presented at 12:30 p.m. on each date except Dec. 22 and Jan. 5.
The show will explore the sky with Mr. Rogers and the animated characters from the land of make believe.
Because of limited seating, advance reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing at 724-805-2631.
Private shows for groups of 15 to 35 people may also be scheduled at other times by contacting the Boyer School.
Scout groups who wish to fulfill requirements for merit badges are especially encouraged to make appointments for the shows.