Heitkamp Planetarium schedule for 2012-2013 academic year

Friday, September 28 (Homecoming):
“The Great Beyond: Over 50 Years of Space Exploration”
With 50 plus years passed since the first human venture into space, we take a look back at the historic Space Race and the leaps in space travel since.  The Planetarium proudly presents a historical journey through these years with archival footage and accompanied by Loras College alum and former NASA employee Jeff Heitzman.        
(Presenters: Paul Deeter, Caroline Hooper and Jeff Heitzman)
 
Friday, October 12:
“Black Holes Don’t Suck”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will explore the genesis of black holes from the death throes of massive stars as well as more exotic mechanisms that might have generated the super-massive black holes at the center of galaxies.  We will discuss the evidence for the existence of black holes and the attempts to observe the orbiting material around such concentrated gravitational centers.
(Presenters: Ben Smith and Tony Gates)
 
Friday, November 2 (Family Weekend):
“Diversity in the Winter Sky”
Throughout history, various cultures have envisioned importance to the stars and constellations.  Mythological stories tell us much about ancient cultures and their early beliefs about the structure of the cosmos.  This show will connect the different constellations in our winter night sky with the cultures whose mythologies have been passed down for thousands of years.
(Presenters: Tony Gates and Dolina Maharjan)
 
Friday, December 7:
“The Christmas Star”
The Heitkamp Planetarium will look back in history in an attempt to examine possible celestial events that could have produced the object in the sky signifying ‘The Star of Bethlehem’.
(Presenters: Natalie Busta and Jeffry Breitbach)
 
Friday, February 8 (Sibling Weekend):
“UFO – no longer unidentified”
Since the early 19^th century, sightings of strange objects have been reported by people around the world.  Are there extra-terrestrial beings visiting us or is it just a paranormal belief that people like to pursue?  If beings have visited Earth, then the incredible distances traversed would imply incredible speeds.  The Heitkamp Planetarium will address the multitude of issues surrounding UFOs.
(Presenters: Dolina Maharjan and Paul Deeter)
 
Friday, March 8:
“Space Conspiracy”
Some believe humans never landed on the moon and wrongfully accuse NASA of misleading the public. "Space Conspiracy" will outline the arguments and explain the evidence for the counterview.
(Presenters: Natalie Busta and Caroline Hopper)
 
Friday, April 26:
“Space Oddity”
How close are we to colonizing space?  Can we sustain life on Mars?  We will explore possibilities for colonies on the Moon and other planets along with what steps would need to be taken in order for humans to survive there. 
(Presenters: Paul Deeter and Ben Smith)
 
Friday, May 10:
“Diversity in the Summer Sky”
Mythological stories tell us much about ancient cultures as well as their early beliefs about the structure of the cosmos.  This show will connect the different constellations in our summer night sky with the cultures whose mythologies have been passed down for thousands of years.
(Presenters: Tony Gates and Dolina Maharjan)
 
All shows begin promptly at 7:00 pm. The Heitkamp Planetarium is pleased to schedule age-appropriate shows for school groups and scout organizations; contact Ms. Colleen Fitzpatrick at colleen.fitzpatrick@loras.edu, or 563-588-7145 for information and scheduling.