Jump to Content

Presentations at the Planetarium

This image used with permission by The University of Texas McDonald Observatory

Fountains of gas hundreds of thousands of miles high form giant loops above the surface of the Sun in this October 2000 image from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) spacecraft.
The shows (spanning some 1 to 1.5 hours) involve a demonstrator giving a live presentation about the solar system, stars and constellations and other interesting objects found in the night sky, using slides, video and the Zeiss to inform, educate and entertain.

Visitors learn about the origins of the star and constellation names, utilising indigenous as well as traditional star lore and mythology.  Particular emphasis is placed on the names of stars and constellations, really a description of what you could see if you went outside on a clear night. 

The shows give students and the general public an insight into the splendour of the night sky, and can ask questions throughout a presentation allowing a large degree of involvement for the audience.

All shows are by appointment only, except for an open to the public session on the first Saturday of the month.

Read on for information about special courses run by the Planetarium presenters.





top^