VSU Planetarium Presents “Dawn of the Space Age” Oct. 3

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Planetarium will present “Dawn of the Space Age” at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. This presentation is free of charge and open to the public.

“Dawn of the Space Age” will begin with a look at the wonders of Valdosta’s October sky, including the planets, stars, and deep-sky objects. This will be followed by a guided tour of the history of manned spaceflight — from the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, to the lunar landings and privately operated space flights — as provided by a 41-minute, full-dome video from Mirage 3D Pictures.

According to VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, “This has been a great year to celebrate space. On July 20 we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon, winning the race to the moon. On Nov. 19 we will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 12 landing.

“The Space Race began on Oct. 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union astounded the world by placing into orbit the first man-made object. Sputnik 1 was little bigger than a basketball and lasted just three months, but its impact on history was tremendous. In the Race for Space, the Russians had won the first heat, and they would win the next few, launching the first probe to the moon’s far side and sending the first cosmonauts into space. The ensuing decades would see the United States eventually win the race to the moon and then a period of peaceful cooperation between the two super powers that continues to this day.”

Seating for each of the three presentations is limited to 47 guests. Free admission tickets will be distributed beginning at 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the VSU Planetarium.

The VSU Observatory will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting, allowing guests the opportunity to view the stars and planets.  

Located on the third floor of Nevins Hall, the VSU Planetarium features a Digitarium Kappa digital projector, which can reproduce the night sky as seen from anywhere on Earth or from the surface of any object in the solar system, at any time in history, past or future.

Limited parking will be available in front of Nevins Hall and across Patterson Street.

Planetarium public outreach shows are appropriate for children and adults ages 5 and up.

Contact VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752 for more information.

On the Web:
https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/physics-astronomy-geosciences/welcome.php

Map of VSU:
https://www.valdosta.edu/about/documents/campus-directory/VSU_Campus_Map.pdf