The Allen F. Blocher Planetarium


DUE TO AN UNXPECTED FAILURE OF THE PLANETARIUM PROJECTOR, THE SUNDAY PUBLIC SHOWS SCHEDULED on 02/26, 03/05 and 03/12 WILL BE CANCELLED.
 
WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE!

WE WILL RESUME PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SHOWS WHEN THE NECESSARY REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBPAGE FOR UPDATES.

Our Spring 2023 series of regular 2:00 PM Sunday public programs starts on January 15. All public shows include a 25-min presentation focusing on the current night sky of Central WI (bright stars, constellations, planets, etc.)

DateTitleShort Description
Sunday, January 15From Earth to the Universe

The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths, and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the universe may well be humanity's oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos.

To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today's grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe.

Sunday, January 22Phantom of the Universe – The Search for Dark Matter

Phantom of the Universe showcases an exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider.

The show reveals the first hints of its existence through the eyes of Fritz Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term "dark matter." It describes the astral choreography witnessed by Vera Rubin in the Andromeda galaxy and then plummets deep underground to see the most sensitive dark matter detector on Earth, housed in a former gold mine.

From there, it journeys across space and time to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, speeding alongside particles before they collide in visually stunning explosions of light and sound, while learning how scientists around the world are collaborating to track down the constituents of dark matter.

Sunday, January 29Out There - The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds

For thousands of years, humankind thought that the Earth was the center of the universe. Thanks to our curiosity, imagination and urge to explore, we now know that planets like our Earth are not special in the cosmos. The Sun is just one ordinary star among hundreds of billions in our galaxy, the Milky Way.

With the world's most powerful telescopes, we explore more and more of the Universe. What we have found so far has surpassed even the wildest expectations of scientists as well as authors of science fiction. Most stars have planets — it turns out they are more common than we thought.

A huge diversity of worlds is Out There, just waiting to be discovered.

Sunday, February 5Two Small Pieces of Glass – The Amazing TelescopeTwo Small Pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope show follows two students as they interact with a female astronomer at a local star party.

Along the way, the students learn the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass — using two small pieces of glass — to the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy.

Aiming to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, the show explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400+ years.
Sunday, February 12The Sun – Our Living Star

The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived.

It is our nearest star and our planet's powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage of the Sun's fiery disc across the sky — day by day, month by month — was the only way to keep track of time for countless past civilizations.

Don't be fooled by the terminology; although it is a typical dwarf star, the Sun consumes 600 million tons of hydrogen each second and is 500 times as massive as all the planets combined.

Discover the secrets of our star in this planetarium show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun's violent surface in immersive fulldome format.

Sunday, February 19Rising Star — A South African Astronomy Journey

Rising Star takes you on an astronomical journey from our beginnings through the development of astronomy research in South Africa and looks at what the future of astronomy holds for the country. In addition to introducing multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy, it highlights the many remarkable facilities hosted in South Africa along with some of their latest results. This includes unrestricted views of the 10-metre class Southern African Large Telescope and the most powerful radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, MeerKAT.

The film is accessible to all ages and aims to excite audiences from around the world about South African astronomy, while inspiring the next generation of astronomers.

Sunday, February 26The Dark Matter Mystery - Exploring a Cosmic SecretWhat holds galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the universe? What makes the universe look the way it looks today? Researchers worldwide try to answer these questions. We know today there is within the universe is a mysterious glue: Dark Matter. We know that it is out there. But we have no idea what it is made of.

The show takes you on the biggest quest in modern astrophysics. You will see why scientists acknowledge the existence of dark matter. Join them on their hunt for Dark Matter with experiments in space and deep underground. Will they be able to solve the Dark Matter Mystery?
Sunday, March 5Europe to the Stars

Europe to the Stars takes the viewer on an epic journey behind the scenes at the most productive ground-based observatory in the world, revealing the science, the history, the technology and the people.

Discover the European Southern Observatory in a story of cosmic curiosity, courage and perseverance; a story of observing a Universe of deep mysteries and hidden secrets, and a story of designing, building and operating the most powerful ground-based telescopes on the planet.

The show focuses on the essential aspects of an astronomical observatory, while offering a broader view of how astronomy is done. From site-testing to locate the best places in the world for observing the sky, to how telescopes are built and what mysteries of the Universe astronomers are revealing.

Sunday, March 12Seeing! A Photon's Journey Across Space, Time, and MindFollow the journey of a single photon as it is produced in a distant star, before travelling across the vast expanse of space to land on someone's retina. This fulldome planetarium show explores some of the fascinating processes of the cosmos, from astrophysics to the biology of the eye and brain. Funded through a generous grant from ZEISS, the show is narrated by astronomer and science communicator, Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Sunday, April 2SunstruckTravel back to the beginning of time and experience the birth of the Sun. Discover how it came to support life, how it threatens life as we know it, and how its energy will one day fade away.
Sunday, April 16Unveiling the Invisible Universe

For thousands of years the humans observed the light coming from the night sky with their eyes. In the beginning of the 17th century, the invention of the telescope by Galileo revolutionized our knowledge of the Universe. Finally, in the 20th century with the advent of rockets, it became possible to go above the earth's atmosphere and observe X-ray and gamma ray radiation which are the marks of the hot and violent Universe.

But it is not only light that can give us information about the cosmos. Neutrinos and cosmic rays also provide vital information. Finally, the detection by the LIGO experiment of gravitational waves from two merging black holes opened a new window in astrophysics. This video presents images of the cosmos as revealed by all these different messengers.

Sunday, April 23Fragile Planet: Earth's Place in the Universe

Fragile Planet combines scientific visualization with movie-making magic, highlighting Earth's special place in the universe as the only known haven for life.

Develop a renewed appreciation for our fragile planet through the lens of astronomy, as Sigourney Weaver guides audiences on an immersive excursion that explores a universe filled with the possibility of life.

Fragile Planet starts with an astronaut's view highlighting Earth's unique regions. The journey then continues to the Moon, Mars, and beyond the Milky Way to search for habitats that might host extraterrestrial life. The show's theme — that Earth is the only known haven for life, and thus is important to protect — echoes the themes of biodiversity and sustainability.

Sunday, April 30Back to the Moon for Good The show, narrated by Tim Allen, starts by presenting the history of lunar exploration over more than half a century.
The landers and orbiters taught us about the Moon's composition, geology, and formation.

The Google Lunar XPRIZE was designed to democratize space and create new opportunities for human and robotic presence on the Moon. We see the engineering and innovation steps taken by the international teams competing to land a spacecraft on the Moon. The program highlights the human spirit of competition and collaboration as teams take on this audacious challenge. The audience is taken through a successful launch, landing and lunar surface travel. The show ends with a stunning glimpse of a plausible scenario for our future on the Moon.
Sunday, May 7The Hot and Energetic UniverseThe Hot and Energetic Universe uses immersive visualizations and real images to present the achievements of the modern astronomy, the most advanced terrestrial and orbital observatories, the basic principles electromagnetic radiation and the natural phenomena related to the High Energy Astrophysics (HEA).

HEA reveals processes in a hot and violent universe as it probes the hot gas in clusters of galaxies (the most massive objects in the universe) or the overheated gas accreting onto supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies. The high energy radiation provides important information about our own Galaxy, neutron stars and supernova remnants, and stars like our Sun.
Sunday, May 14Forward! To the Moon!

We are the Artemis generation!
We're going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation.

Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a sustainable future in space.

NASA's 21st century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon Goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe and land the first woman and person of color on the surface of the Moon.



Note: Some of the public planetarium shows will be rented for a fee that ranges between $60-$100 per show per three-day rental. Donations of $1-$2 per attendee will be greatly appreciated to allow us to continue these public programs for our community of all ages.










The Allen F. Blocher Planetarium is  located in the Science Building on the UW-Stevens Point campus.
The Science building (2001 Fourth Ave) is at the southwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Reserve Street. 
The planetarium consists of a 7.3m diameter dome that houses a DIGISTAR LITE projector (installed in 2020). 

 

Groups of eight or more may schedule a special showing of any planetarium program by calling 715-346-2120 or by filling our online reservation request form. There is a cost of $35 per group for these special presentations.


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We are very excited to announce a whole new list of fulldome shows available for the general public. 

SHOW

DESCRIPTION

The Hot and Energetic Universe 

(30 min.)

Produced by the Integrated Activities in the High-Energy Astrophysics Domain (AHEAD)

AHEAD is a project funded by the European Commission in the framework of Horizon2020.

It involves most universities and research institutes which are involved in High Energy Astrophysics in Europe.

Released: 2016

 


The Hot and Energetic Universe uses immersive visualizations and real images to present the achievements of the modern astronomy, the most advanced terrestrial and orbital observatories, the basic principles electromagnetic radiation and the natural phenomena related to the High Energy Astrophysics (HEA).

HEA reveals processes in a hot and violent universe as it probes the hot gas in clusters of galaxies (the most massive objects in the universe) or the overheated gas accreting onto supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies. The high energy radiation provides important information about our own Galaxy, neutron stars and supernova remnants, and stars like our Sun.

 



Back to the Moon for Good 

(25 min.)

Produced by NSC Creative

Released: 2013




 

The show starts by presenting the history of lunar exploration over more than half a century.

The landers and orbiters taught us about the Moon's composition, geology, and formation.

The Google Lunar XPRIZE is designed to democratize space and create new opportunities for human and robotic presence on the Moon. We see the engineering and innovation steps taken by the international teams competing to land a spacecraft on the Moon. The program highlights the human spirit of competition and collaboration as teams take on this audacious challenge. The audience is taken through a successful launch, landing and lunar surface travel. The show ends with a stunning glimpse of a plausible scenario for our future on the Moon.


               

DARK

-Understanding Dark Matter-

(21 min.)

Produced by iVEC @ University of Western Australia

Released: 2012

 

DARK explores the nature of dark matter, the exotic, missing 80% of the mass of the universe.

The search for dark matter is one of the most pressing astrophysical problem of our time. The show is presented by Dr. Alan Duffy, a brilliant young astronomer from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at the University of Western Australia – who creates simulations of dark matter using supercomputers. He introduces the concept of dark matter, why astronomers think it exists, and explains why radio astronomy is so well-suited to unveiling its nature.

Cosmic Castaways 

(20 min.)

Produced by the Ward Beecher Planetarium  

Released: 2013

 

Most stars lie within the crowded boundaries of galaxies, travelling with their brothers and sisters in a vast galactic family. But some find themselves on their own, deep within voids between the galaxies. These are the Cosmic Castaways.

The Dark Matter Mystery 

-Exploring a Cosmic Secret- 

(38 min.)

Produced by Planetarium Laupheim (Germany)

Released: 2015

 DMM.png

What holds galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the universe? What makes the universe look the way it looks today? Researchers worldwide try to answer these questions. We know today there is within the universe is a mysterious glue: Dark Matter. We know that it is out there. But we have no idea what it is made of.

The show takes you on the biggest quest in modern astrophysics. You will see why scientists acknowledge the existence of dark matter. Join them on their hunt for Dark Matter with experiments in space and deep underground. Will they be able to solve the Dark Matter Mystery?

IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System 

(29 min.)

Produced by Adler Planetarium

Released: 2009  

IBEX.png

Designed for visitors with an appreciation for the challenges of space science and a desire to learn more about science research, the show follows the creation of NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Audiences will get an in-depth look at the mission and how IBEX is collecting high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar System's boundary.

Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from scientists and engineers that developed and created the IBEX mission and spacecraft. Get the latest updates on the mission's discoveries.

From Earth to the Universe

(32 min.)

Produced by European Southern Observatory

Released: 2015

FETTU.png

The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths, and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the universe may well be humanity's oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos. To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today's grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe.

This stunning, 30-minute voyage through space and time conveys, through sparkling sights and sounds, the Universe revealed to us by science. Viewers can revel in the splendor of the worlds in the Solar System and our scorching Sun. From Earth to the Universe takes the audience out to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, and still further out beyond the Milky Way to the unimaginable immensity of a myriad galaxies. Along the way, the audience will learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope, and today's giant telescopes that allow us to probe ever deeper into the Universe.

Out There 

-The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds- 

(31 min.)

Produced by Verkehrshaus Planetarium (Switzerland)

Released: 2017

 

For thousands of years, mankind thought that the Earth was the center of the universe. Thanks to our curiosity, imagination and urge to explore, we now know that planets like our Earth are not special in the cosmos. The Sun is just one ordinary star among hundreds of billions in our galaxy, the Milky Way. With the world's most powerful telescopes, we explore more and more of the Universe. What we have found so far has surpassed even the wildest expectations of scientists as well as authors of science fiction. Most stars have planets — it turns out they are more common than we thought.

A huge diversity of worlds is Out There, just waiting to be discovered.

Phantom of the Universe 

-The Hunt for Dark Matter- 

(29 min.)

Produced by the collaboration of the following: Berkeley Lab, University of Texas in Arlington, and Michigan State University, with assistance from the Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and València University in Spain.

Released: 2017

PU.png

Phantom of the Universe is a new planetarium show that showcases an exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider.

The show reveals the first hints of its existence through the eyes of Fritz Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term "dark matter." It describes the astral choreography witnessed by Vera Rubin in the Andromeda galaxy and then plummets deep underground to see the most sensitive dark matter detector on Earth, housed in a former gold mine.

From there, it journeys across space and time to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, speeding alongside particles before they collide in visually stunning explosions of light and sound, while learning how scientists around the world are collaborating to track down the constituents of dark matter.

                                     Award_PU.png

Two Small Pieces of Glass

-The Amazing Telescope-

(23 min.)

Produced by European Southern Observatory

Released: 2016

 

Two Small Pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope show follows two students as they interact with a female astronomer at a local star party.

Along the way, the students learn the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass — using two small pieces of glass — to the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy.

Aiming to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, the show explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400+ years.

Location and Parking

 The Allen F. Blocher planetarium is located on the second floor of the Science Building, by the Foucault pendulum. Direct access is obtained through the east side entrance.

Parking is free on campus for our guests only on Saturdays and Sundays. 

From Monday-Friday, the UWSP parking lots are enforced 

2 am – 7 pm. Please visit this website for more details about parking options, rules, and regulations.