Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008
"Season of Light" will be shown at 7 p.m. Dec 4-6 and 12-13 in the Westminster College Planetarium, room 116 of the Hoyt Science Resources Center.
The 45-minute multimedia holiday program features the origins of many holiday traditions and their relationship to this important astronomical time. It focuses on the symbolism of light at the winter solstice season.
While retelling the Christian story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the program also examines the history of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, and the beginnings of the traditions of holiday decorating, feasting, and exchanging gifts.
Included in the show is a look at the stars and constellations of the winter sky, a review of the basic astronomical concepts of diurnal motion and the seasons, and discussion of possible astronomical explanations of the Christmas star.
The program is free and open to the public. However, reservations are necessary due to limited seating.
For more information and to make reservations, contact Westminster's Physics Department at (724) 946-7200 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. or e-mail phys@westminster.edu.
