RVCC-Astronomy Day, Centennial of Planetariums to be Celebrated
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May 3, 2025
Astronomy Day, Centennial of Planetariums to be Celebrated at RVCC
The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg will launch its May programs with a special Astronomy Day and Centennial of Planetariums celebration on May 3, with activities planned from 2-5 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m.
During the event, which is appropriate for families with children age six and older, those attending are invited to participate in hands-on activities celebrating astronomy, science, and 100 years of Planetariums. Activities will include observing the Sun (safely) and the Moon through telescopes and using one’s body to tell time on a sundial. The 3M Observatory, located just outside the Planetarium, will be open for solar observing during the day and peeks of the Moon and other celestial objects in the evening sky. The program’s activities are free of charge, but there are costs to attend any Planetarium shows or laser concerts.
Also on May 3, at 7 p.m. the Planetarium will present, Astronomy Tonight: Is that a Moon or the Death Star? May the 4th be with you! Does science fiction always precede science fact? Using the Planetarium’s DarkMatter digital theater, the program will explore planets and moons beyond Earth that look suspiciously like worlds described in the Star Wars universe. Participants also will be treated to a guided tour of the stars and constellations of the night sky. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. The program is recommended for audiences ages 8-adult.
Later in the month, the Planetarium’s offerings include 5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI, shown on Saturdays, May 10 and 17, at 7 p.m. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating the most detailed map of our nearby universe. The Mayall telescope, installed on Kitt Peak in Southern Arizona, features DESI's 5000 independently operated robots that can measure the light from thousands of galaxies at once. The show offers an exploration of the science, instruments, and people behind this global endeavor. For additional information about the program, which is recommended for audiences ages 10-adult, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeggpUt4Dec.