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ASU Planetarium Releases Holiday Schedule

November 23, 2011

Angelo State University’s Global Immersion Center (GIC), formerly the Planetarium, will present three public astronomy shows during its 2011 holiday schedule beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building, 2333 Vanderventer St.

“Season of Light” will run at 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 17.  “Cosmic Journey” will run at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 15, and “Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe” will run at 7 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 16. 

“Season of Light” will examine Celtic, pagan, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi solstice rituals along with Jewish and Christian practices, including the possible astronomical explanations for the “Star of Bethlehem.”  The program will also explore some of the more light-hearted seasonal traditions, like gift giving, kissing under the mistletoe, decking the halls with greenery and candles, and songs about lords a-leaping and ladies dancing.  The legends and customs of St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas will be explained while Santa Claus drops in for a visit.  The program is narrated by Noah Adams, host of National Public Radio’s afternoon news program, “All Things Considered.” 

In “Cosmic Journey,” viewers will tour the cosmos with astrophysicist Dr. Stacy Palen as their guide, and will hear the story of the universe from a uniquely human perspective as they drift through images from the Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA Great Observatories.      

“Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe” tells the stories of individual stars.  Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten.  Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions.  New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust.  Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the universe.  Viewers will journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. 

All the shows are open to the public with admission prices of $3 for adults and $2 for children, active military and senior citizens.  ASU students, faculty and staff are admitted free. 

For more information, call the GIC at 325-942-2136.  A recording of the show schedule is also available by calling 325- 942-2188.