The SCSU Planetarium will be hosting a collection of showings for science enthusiasts of all ages during St. Cloud State University Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 17-22. The Planetarium, which is located in the Wick Science Building on campus, will hold a total of 14 showings with two taking place on Friday, Oct. 21 and 12 occurring on Saturday, Oct. 22.
“The planetarium is thrilled to be able to welcome science enthusiasts of all ages to a Homecoming weekend featuring an array of interdisciplinary science-themed shows,” said Rachel Humphrey, Assistant Professor in the Department of Atmospheric & Hydrologic Sciences and Director of Planetarium Operations. “It will be fun for astronomers of all ages.”
Showings begin with an exploration of the solar system as well as what lies beyond it, then discovers what research is being done to venture back to the moon. Also included will be movies shown about dinosaurs as well as supervolcanic eruptions, switching things up by taking a look at how life on the planet has changed and continues to change. The showings will also provide a chance to take a look through satellites and telescopes, as well as exploring the deep reaches of outer space by looking for dark matter.
Each movie shown will be followed by a “tour of the current night sky,” where visitors can learn “what’s up” with cool, funky and captivating celestial objects such as planets, constellations, and moon phases.
The SCSU Planetarium, which is sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, originally opened at St. Cloud State in 1973 for students and the community. It has proven to be a unique educational facility that strives to educate students in the classroom setting. When it’s not being used as a classroom, it is a form of outreach to the Central Minnesota community regarding the natural world.
To view a full list of events scheduled during St. Cloud State Homecoming 2022, view the Calendar of Events on the Homecoming website.
Planetarium Showings Schedule
Friday, Oct. 21
- 5 p.m.: From Earth to the Universe
- 5:30 p.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 minutes)
Saturday, Oct. 22
- 10 a.m.: From Earth to the Universe
- 10:30 a.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 minutes)
- 11:20 a.m.: Back to the Moon For Good
- 11:45 a.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 minutes)
- 12:35 p.m.: Dinosaurs Alive
- 1 p.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 minutes)
- 1:50 p.m.: Supervolcanoes
- 2:15 p.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 minutes)
- 3:05 p.m.: Touching the Edge of the Universe
- 3:50 p.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 mins)
- 4:40 p.m.: Phantom of the Universe
- 5:10 p.m.: Tour of the Current Night Sky (interactive, about 45 mins)
