VSU Planetarium presents 'Under the Southern Cross'

Valdosta State University’s department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences will present planetarium shows titled “Under the Southern Cross” on February 2, at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Nevins Hall room 3004.

The show’s main event will feature the Crux, or Southern Cross, constellation, the same constellation featured on New Zealand and Australia’s flag. In addition, the show will display objects not visible from this area, such as Alpha Centauri, the nearest star to Earth, and Magellanic Clouds, satellite galaxies of the Milky Way.

“We’re excited to give this show because no one ever thinks that there are stars they can’t see from Valdosta, because these stars are just never in our sky,” Dr. Kenneth Rumstay, professor of physics and astronomy, said. “The planetarium offers people the chance to see these stars, and really any sky from Earth.”

Weather permitting; the observation deck on top of Nevins Hall will open for observers to view the Moon, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula.

Tickets for the event are free and parking in front of Nevins Hall will be available. For more information, please contact the department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752.