MSUM Planetarium offers bright look in winter skies
City lights may be daunting when attempting to view stars in the winter sky, but a twinkle of hope awaits at the MSUM Planetarium.
The Planetarium is part of the Regional Science Center and offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the expanse of stars lofting above in the heavens.
The Regional Science Center is a program of MSUM, which works closely with local school districts, the tri-college universities, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, area businesses, and state, national science and environmental organizations.
The center provides a wide variety of programming for students of any age, educators and the public.
The Planetarium simulates the night sky. The Spitz System 512 planetarium projector is as central to the operation of the planetarium as the sun is to the solar system. A video projector, multiple slide projectors and special effects give the audience the opportunity to view the night sky from any location on the Earth, either now or thousands of years in the past or future, according to its Web site.
A trip to the planetarium is an experience meant to awe, entertain and educate people of all ages.
Usually four or five different shows are offered to the public throughout each year, Dave Weinrich, planetarium coordinator, said. This year the shows include “Star of Bethlehem,” “Larry Cat in Space,” “Hubble Vision,” “Our Moon,” “Red River Skies” and “Navigating with Lewis and Clark.” Most shows run for approximately 45 minutes, except for shows designed for pre-school children, which run 20 to 25 minutes.
“ Larry Cat in Space” will light the Planetarium Dome Jan. 15 until March 6.
“ Larry Cat in Space” is a light-hearted and playful show that tells the adventures of a cat that takes a trip to the moon with his human family, Weinrich said.
It runs at 2 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Mondays. Shows start promptly and there is no late admission, so allow plenty of time to get there and choose the best spot for stargazing.
Admission for the Planetarium is $3 for the general public and $1.50 for children (12 and under) and everyone else. Group rates and reservations are also available for school groups. The planetarium is handicap accessible and has a maximum seating capacity of 60.
The Planetarium is located near the intersection of 11th Street and 8th Avenue on the MSUM campus in Bridges Hall Room 167. For more information, call the planetarium at (218) 477-2920 or check out the planetarium’s home page on MSUM’s Web site, www.mnstate.edu.