CEHD News

The Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium is celebrating its 47th birthday and will give everyone who attends the April 4th special event a moon pie (while supplies last). Guests will also have a chance to win a beginner’s astronomy kit.

“We’ve been here for nearly five decades spreading the joy of astronomy and science to the Louisville community,” said planetarium director, Rachel Connolly. “We wanted to mark this year’s birthday with something fun and, hopefully, inspire those who have never been to our facility to come by for a visit.”

Connolly said the April event is also part of the International Year of Astronomy’s (IYA)  100 Hours of Observing, a program that encourages the public to look through a telescope, just like Galileo did 400 years ago.

Weather permitting, planetarium staff members will offer solar viewing during the celebration. The special $5 per person cost includes admission to Skies Over Louisville (shows at 11, 12 and 1:00 p.m.) as well as admission to the telescope workshop and other activities.

Other upcoming events at the planetarium include:

• “Creating Black Holes on Earth,” March 30, 7:30 p.m. - a discussion about the controversial experiment at CERN, the European Organization for National Research, and how smashing atoms can teach us about our universe. Adult program. Admission is free.
• Cosmic Explorer Workshop. “I Want to be an Astronaut,” April 9, 2-3:30 p.m. - this hands-on workshop explains what it feels like in space. Registration required. Call 502-852-6664 no later than April 3. For children ages 4-6. Members, $20, non-members $25. This workshop will be held again on May 17.
• “When a Star is Born,” April 27, 7:30 p.m. - Astrophysicist Mordecai-Mark Mac Low will speak to plantarium visitors via videoconference about how stars and galaxies are formed. Adult program. Admission is free.

For more details on these and other programs at Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, call 502-852-6664, or visit the website, http://www.louisville.edu/planetarium.