Skip to main content

Westminster College Planetarium fall season opens Sept. 29

Share on:

Posted on Friday, September 14, 2018

NEW WILMINGTON, PA – Westminster College announces several planetarium shows for the Fall 2018 season. All shows are located in the planetarium in Hoyt Science Center.

September Shows

“The Girl Who Walked Upside Down” will be shown from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. This is the story of a very special girl with a love of the stars who appeared one day in spring, walking upside down across a rainbow in the sky. This show is recommended for all ages.

“One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. Explore the night sky with your favorite friends from “Sesame Street.” Follow along with Big Bird and others as they take you on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun and the Moon. This show is recommended for children ages 3 to 6.

“Dinosaurs at Dusk” will run from 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. In this story of a father and his teenage daughter Lucy, you'll travel back in time to meet the pterosaurs and the ancestors of modern-day birds: the feathered dinosaurs. Science content includes continental drift, the proper motion of stars, asteroids and impacts, extinctions, and the convergent development of flight among species. Outdoor skygazing will follow the screening, weather permitting. This show is recommended for ages 5-13.

October Shows

“Halloween: Celestial Origins” will be shown at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.  During this program you will learn the history of Halloween and how it fits into the seasons as a “cross-quarter day.” Explore the night sky and learn what planets, constellations, and stars will be out on your Halloween evening. Outdoor skygazing will follow the 6:30 p.m. screening, weather permitting. This show is recommended for ages 5 and up.

“Ooky Spooky” will be shown at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.  This show features Halloween songs visually enhanced with animation on our full-dome screen. There will also be a brief live tour of autumn constellations. Outdoor skygazing will follow the 8 p.m. screening, weather permitting. This show is recommended for all ages.

November and December Shows

“Let it Snow: A Holiday Music Journey” will be shown at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and again at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. This show features a variety of festive Christmas songs visually enhanced with theatrical animation and scenery. You’ll hear holiday classics while nutcrackers, snowmen, reindeer and candy canes dance overhead. There will also be a brief live tour of winter constellations. Outdoor skygazing will follow both screenings, weather permitting. This show is recommended for all ages.

“Mystery of the Christmas Star” will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and again from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. Journey back 2,000 years to Bethlehem as we seek to discover a scientific explanation for the Star the wise men followed to find baby Jesus. We’ll investigate possible dates for the birth of Christ and look at recorded sightings of significant astronomical events. Outdoor skygazing will follow, weather permitting. This show is recommended for ages 8 and up.

All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are necessary due to limited seating and can be made by calling 724-946-STAR or completing the online form at www.westminster.edu/planetarium.