NKU and Campbell County Library partner to bring sky watchers big telescopes, free tickets

News from NKU...

Friday - May 27, 2011
For immediate release...


HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Thinking of getting a little spaced out this summer?

The Northern Kentucky University Haile Digital Planetarium and the Cold Spring Branch of the Campbell County Public Library invite you to come out for "Moon & Sun Watchers: Big Telescopes & Free Tickets" on Saturday, June 11.

Join NKU astronomy faculty and planetarium staff at the library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for activities and presentations, then visit the NKU planetarium for free viewings of Earth, Moon, Sun beginning at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

"This is a great opportunity to learn about telescopes, the sun, the Summer Solstice, the universe and much more," said Dan Spence, director of the Haile Digital Planetarium. "Telescopes will be set up outside the front entrance of the library. You'll be able to safely observe the sun, see sunspots and flares, and find out how different parts of the sun's structure are visible at different colors or wavelengths of light. You'll learn how telescopes work and how to select one to purchase for your personal use. Spend as much or as little time as you would like. At times the sun puts on shows that change over a period of hours. You might consider spending enough time to see something unexpected!"

If it is cloudy there will still be plenty of things to see and do. For bad weather, activities will move into the library's meeting room and telescopes will be set up there. The planetarium shows will run no matter the weather.
The entire event is free to the public and will be enjoyable for the entire family. Those participating in the activities at the library will receive tickets for Earth, Moon, Sun. If you are interested in only the planetarium show at NKU, contact Community Connections at (859) 572-5600 or connect@nku.edu to reserve your seats.

Earth, Moon, Sun is an NKU production and was voted best full-dome presentation at the 2009 conference of the Digistar planetariums. The show is a look at the earth, moon and sun system and how it has influenced life on earth. Watch as the moon forms, visit places that could be the origin of life, learn about the phases of the Moon and seasons, and see eclipses.

NKU's Haile Digital Planetarium opened in 2007 and is the home of the world's first laser projection planetarium for classroom use. It is used by the Department of Physics and Geology for astronomy classes and is dedicated to outreach programs for local schools and community organizations. The planetarium, in conjunction with Community Connections, has hosted thousands of P-12 students and adults. For more information about the planetarium visit

http://planetarium.nku.edu.

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