Review: UW Stevens Point Planetarium Summer Programs in Wisconsin

"Gods of the Solar System" and "Journey to the Stars"

If you are bored during this summer in Stevens Point, WI, I would recommend trying out the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Planetarium. It has programs that are free to the public every Monday and Wednesday night at 8 o'clock.

The program starts with a view of the current night sky and several objects to look for. This is very useful for after the show since the stars will already be out and you can test yourself on how much you remember, or just to see if you can pick out any new constellations. The overview includes how to find the North Star, the Summer Triangle, and several other constellations that may not have known. You can also ask any questions about the night sky you may have, and the director would be happy to answer them.

Next, they have the main program. This summer they are featuring 'Gods of the Solar System' and 'Journey to the Stars.' The 'Gods of the Solar System' is all about the planets and how they were named. You will learn about the composition of the the planets, what it's like on the surface, about its moons, and much more. This program was also created entirely by the UWSP staff. This is the better of the two, and if you only have time for one program, I would recommend this one first. 'Journey to the Stars' has a broader range of topics about the stars and galaxies. You will learn about the birth and death of stars, black holes, and more.

The programs appeal to all ages. I'm 20 and I enjoyed it, and I took my brother, who is 13, and he asked to go to the second program right away. You also don't need to be an astronomy buff or extremely interested in it to enjoy these programs either. They are very accessible and you are sure to learn something.

The programs are held in the Science Building at the UW on the second floor. You can read more about the programs and get better directions at their website: http://www.uwsp.edu/physastr/plan_obs/

The schedule for Summer 2008 is:

'Gods of the Solar System'
Wednesday: July 9, 16, 23, 30

'Journey to the Stars'
Monday: July 7, 14, 21, 28