VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Planetarium will present the second show of its 2009-10 season tonight, focusing its “telescope” on 20th Century astronomy, in Astronomy Grows Up and Out! Presentations will be given by Dr. Martha Leake at 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. If the weather permits, the observing deck will be open so that visitors can see Jupiter, the Andromeda Galaxy, beautiful star clusters and colorful stars.
Programs this year have highlighted the International Year of Astronomy, featuring highlights of astronomy from the 16th through 19th centuries.
“Our look at 20th century astronomy brings our tour of International Year of Astronomy 2009 not to a close, but to a ballooning explosion of information and understanding, with mysteries abounding,” according to a press release. “During the early 1900s, that understanding still needed to mature, to accurately reflect our place in the universe. Having discovered the distances to the nearest stars, and developed quality telescopes and photographic tools, astronomers could study the stars’ light and its variations. They found that the spectra of the stars yielded temperature and size. Those stars that were not the norm provided examples of the past and future lives of stars — how they aged and died. Understanding nuclear reactions led to an understanding of what powers a star, and what leads to its formation or death. Variations in a star’s light led to a new way to determine distance accurately and helped solve the great debate of 1920 — the size of our galaxy. Spiral, fuzzy shapes turned out to be other galaxies, up to millions of light years away. With new telescopes, greater distances could be reached, probing further back into our past. Great theories of the universe ‘lived and died,’ on the basis of new data. The explosion of information leads to our Big Bang model, an idea of the expansion of the universe, its age, and its future. Nor was the solar system left behind: rockets, spacecraft, telescopes, cameras enabled us to visit other worlds and gather detailed information about our neighbors in space, and even gather rocks on their surfaces, in person. The quest for astronomical data began to overlap our quest for information about the beginning or presence of life.”
Seating in the planetarium is limited to 47 visitors per show and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The planetarium is located in Nevins Hall, Room 3004. Visitors are asked to enter at the southeast tower (nearest the VSU main gate) and take the elevator to the third floor. Limited public parking is available in front of Nevins Hall.
For additional information please contact the Department of Physics Astronomy and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752.
Local News
<img src="http://www.sgaonline.com/headlines/extra.gif" /> VSU hosts planetariun show
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
