New Programs Dot UW Planetarium Schedule During June

Three new shows that will explore Norse mythology, astronomy from around the globe and Wyoming geography will highlight the University of Wyoming Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium’s lineup during June.

“This June, we will be mixing up the schedule a little bit. We will be continuing our free ‘Sandbox Discovery’ open house each Thursday,” says Max Gilbraith, the planetarium’s coordinator. “Our public shows will resume June 14 with three new shows during the month.”

To get tickets or receive more information about programs, email planetarium@uwyo.edu or leave a voicemail and a call-back phone number at (307) 766-6506. Tickets are $5 for the public or online tickets, and $3 for students, senior citizens, veterans, first responders and those under 18. Seating is free for children under 5. Bulk tickets/gift cards are available at $2 each when 10 or more tickets are purchased.

Reservations or pre-purchase is not required, and walk-ins are welcome. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card, reserved by email or voicemail, or purchased at the start of the show. Cash or check is accepted at the door. The planetarium, which seats 64, is in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis outside of designated ADA/wheelchair seating.

To pay for tickets with a credit card, go to https://www.uwyo.edu/uwplanetarium/ticket.aspx. For a group larger than six, email the planetarium for a private show at https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKuqIynOn7gFK2F. Tickets for private shows are the same as the public programs.

A film and special live talk for audiences will be featured each week. All programs are approximately an hour in length. As time allows, a portion of the show also may focus on a live sky tour or supporting information related to the film’s topic.

The June schedule is:

-- Thursday, June 6, 4-7 p.m.: “Sandbox Discovery.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity is free and takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Jane Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.

-- Thursday, June 13, 4-7 p.m.: “Sandbox Discovery.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity is free and takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.

-- Friday, June 14, 7 p.m.: “Norse Mythology.” The modern 88 constellations -- recognized by the International Astronomical Union -- paint over thousands of years of shared written and oral traditions. In learning the contrasting interpretations of the sky, visitors will discover the shared experience of stargazing and storytelling is a universal thread across cultures and generations.

-- Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m.: “One Sky,” a full-dome series of short films. Each short film represents the perspective of a different culture or Indigenous society from around the globe. Each film stands alone as a short story, or in combination, as a longer narrative organized around themes of “finding patterns” and developing tools. Short films are “The Forge of Artemis,” “Thunderbird,” “Jai Singh’s Dream,” “Celestial Canoe,” “The Samurai and Stars” and “Wayfinders.”

-- Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Taylor Swift,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of music from all eras of Taylor Swift in 5.1 surround sound. The 4K-resolution planetarium sky will become a canvas of color, patterns and movement with cutting-edge music visualization software and live VJ talent.

-- Thursday, June 20, 4-7 p.m.: “Sandbox Discovery.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity is free and takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.

-- Thursday, June 27, 4-7 p.m.: “Sandbox Discovery.” Learn about immersive technologies for augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and full-dome development. All are welcome to bring their own projects and technologies to test and demonstrate. This activity is free and takes place at the SciDIY Makerspace in the basement of the Physical Sciences Building. For more information, email Crayton at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.

-- Friday, June 28, 7 p.m.: “Wyoming Landforms.” During this program, discover and explore the wild and diverse landscapes of Wyoming.

-- Saturday, June 29, 2 p.m.: “Distant Worlds: Alien Life,” a full-dome movie. This film takes viewers on a journey outward to see what it takes for life to develop, starting with life on Earth and moving out to the rest of our solar system and on to alien planets that orbit distant stars in our galaxy. 

-- Saturday, June 29, 7 p.m.: “Liquid Sky: Retro Hits,” a music-based light show. Enjoy a custom playlist of “out-of-this-world” music from top artists in genres of rock, indie, pop, electronic and more in 5.1 surround sound. The 4K-resolution planetarium sky will become a canvas of color, patterns and movement with cutting-edge music visualization software and live VJ talent.

For more detailed descriptions of these programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/physics/planetarium/schedule.html.