Planetarium shows at Westminster College

Staff report

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

Westminster College Planetarium will present 14 shows through the end of the year. Each is free to the public, although registration is required. Go to westminster.edu/planetarium, or call 724-946-7827. Here is the schedule:

“One World One Sky: Big Birds Adventure” will be shown Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at 4 p.m., and Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Suitable for younger audiences, viewers will explore the night sky with the Sesame Street characters, including Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu.

“Back to the Moon for Good,” a full-dome show narrated by actor Tim Allen, will be shown Oct.10 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. The show highlights the history of lunar exploration and provides an insider’s look at the teams vying for the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE, the largest incentivized prize in history. Rooftop stargazing will follow each show, weather permitting.

“Pluto: Exploring New Horizons,” recommended for age 8 and older, will be shown Oct. 10 at 8:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The show focuses on the cold, dark and distant dwarf planet Pluto, which was explored for the first time this past July by the New Horizons spacecraft. Rooftop stargazing will follow each show, weather permitting.

“Let it Snow: Holiday Music Magic,” recommended for all ages, will be shown Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 5 and 8 p.m. The show will feature a variety of festive Christmas songs accompanied by full-dome animation, with artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The show also will include a live tour of winter constellations in western Pennsylvania skies. Rooftop stargazing will follow each show, weather permitting.

“Mystery of the Christmas Star,” recommended for age 8 and older, will be shown Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Viewers will journey back 2,000 years to Bethlehem to seek a scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find baby Jesus. Rooftop stargazing will follow each show, weather permitting.