February 16th 2009
Please join Dr. Nick Ashbaugh (Lambuth Biology Department) and Dr. Matthew Francis (Planetarium Director) tonight at 7:30 in the planetarium, as we talk about the diversity of life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. Among the topics we will cover:
- How do scientists define life? What distinguishes a living thing from a nonliving thing?
- What do all living things on Earth have in common, despite their diversity?
- How much variety is there on Earth? How do we categorize organisms?
- What does the study of life on Earth reveal about the chances and characteristics of life on other worlds?
- And, will we be able to recognize life on other worlds if we find it?
Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free with ID.
P.S. The Planetarium is now on Facebook!
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Planetarium News & Public Events | No
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February 9th 2009
On February 9, 2008, the M. D. Anderson Planetarium reopened after a major upgrade. Our grand reopening celebration was shared by over 300 people, who watched a special planetarium presentation, a chemistry magic show, various programs in the library, and the keynote address by Lawrence Krauss, well-known author and professor of physics and astronomy at Case Western Reserve University. In the year that followed, we have had more than 1,000 people coming to our programs, through school, church, and family groups, as well as individuals. Thank you all for helping make this such a successful year!
In honor of our anniversary, we are announcing two new programs and a special event:
- Special Presentation: What is Life? In honor of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the Lambuth Biology Department and Planetarium team up to explore life in all its forms on Earth, and what they can tell us about the possibility of life on other worlds. (This one-time presentation will happen Monday, February 16.)
- Oasis in Space: Life on Earth, throughout its variety, depends on liquid water for existence. This program takes a tour through our Solar System and beyond, to search for places where liquid water can exist. (Shows on March 2, April 6, and May 4.)
- Astronaut: What does it take to get a person into space? What demands are required for a person to become an astronaut? Narrated by Ewan MacGregor, this program demonstrates the challenges someone must overcome to travel beyond the shelter of Earth’s atmosphere. (Shows on March 16 and April 20.)
All programs begin at 7:30 PM. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free with ID.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Director's Notes & Planetarium News & Public Events | No
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February 7th 2009
On Monday, February 16, in honor of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the M. D. Anderson Planetarium and the Lambuth University Biology Department present…
What is Life?
The Diversity of Life on Earth, the Chances of Life on Other Worlds
Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882)
This special presentation will take us through a whirlwind tour of the history of life on Earth, in all its forms and variety, and conclude with the search for life on other worlds. The show begins at 7:30. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free with ID.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Public Events & Science Ideas | 1 Comment »
January 30th 2009
As with Yule, Halloween, May Day, and many other festivals, Groundhog Day originally was connected with the cycles of the Sun and seasons. On Monday, February 2, we reveal those secrets following the main presentation of…
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
Narrated by Liam Neeson
The show starts at 7:30 PM, and will be followed by a Groundhog Day-centric star show. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free with ID.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Public Events | No
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January 26th 2009
Happy New Year to all! At 11 PM today in the traditional Chinese calendar, the Year of the Earth Rat changes over to the Year of the Earth Ox. To find out more, and how the New Year relates to the civil calendar used in the United States, come to the planetarium show tonight at 7:30.
The main program is “Hubble Vision”, followed by a brief presentation on the sky in traditional Chinese culture. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free; admission for others is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 18 and under, and $10 for families of 3 or more.
恭喜发财 (congratulations and be prosperous)
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January 22nd 2009
Since its launch in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided some of the most beautiful images and scientifically valuable results in all of astronomy. Join us on Monday, January 26 as we view
Hubble Vision
The program begins at 7:30, and following the main show, we will have a brief star program in honor of the Chinese New Year. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with their ID.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Public Events | No
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January 12th 2009
Tonight—January 12, 2009—we present….
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
Narrated by Liam Neeson
The show starts at 7:30 PM, and costs $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, staff, and faculty are admitted free with ID.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Public Events | No
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January 8th 2009
The M. D. Anderson Planetarium welcomes you to the Winter/Spring 2009 Season! We will be introducing a new show this season (which I am still in the process of selecting), as well as bringing back our most exciting program, “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” on this coming Monday, January 12.
Winter/Spring 2009 Schedule
- January 12, 2009 at 7:30 PM: “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity”
- January 26, 2009 at 7:30 PM: “Hubble Vision 2″
- February 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM: “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity”
- February 16, 2009: Show to be determined
- March 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM: “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity”
- March 16, 2009: Show to be determined
- April 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM: “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity”
- April 20, 2009: Show to be determined
- May 4, 2009: Show to be determined
- May 18, 2009: Show to be determined
Note: for January, we are breaking the usual “first and third Mondays” pattern, due to Lambuth’s winter break and Martin Luther King Day.
Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per child under 18, and $10 for a family of 3 or more. Lambuth students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with their ID. Please write or call 731-425-3283 to inquire about group rates.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Director's Notes & Planetarium News & Public Events | No
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January 7th 2009
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy!
From the International year of Astronomy website:
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.
Please join us in making 2009 a great year for the M. D. Anderson Planetarium!
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Planetarium News & Public Events & Science News | No
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December 15th 2008
Since Lambuth University is closing due to inclement weather, there will be no show tonight. I apologize to anyone who was greatly looking forward to the program—since it is seasonal, we won’t be showing “Season of Light” again until December 2009.
Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Planetarium News & Public Events | No
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