International Observe the Moon Night

About International Observe the Moon Night

Join us for a fun evening of learning about our nearest neighbor in space on October 16, 2021, from 6:00 - 10:00 pm!

Sponsored by the Astronomy Club of Augusta, South Aiken High School Astronomy Club, DuPont Planetarium, and the University of South Carolina Aiken. Members of the Astronomy Club of Augusta will have telescopes available from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. The Bechtel Telescope in the RPSEC Observatory will be available for viewing from 7:30 - 10:00 pm. In addition to observing the moon, we will have the opportunity to observe Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.

The following COVID-19 safety measures will be in place:

Guests must wear face coverings inside of buildings.
Guests outside should maintain distancing or wear masks.

Planetarium shows will be hosted at the following times:

6:00 pm - In My Backyard
7:00 pm - Defying Gravity
8:00 pm - Two Small Pieces of Glass
9:00 pm - To the Moon and Beyond

About the Planetarium Shows

Show	Details
	In My Backyard What can you see from your backyard? Join acclaimed family entertainer Fred Penner as he helps answer this question in an interactive program with three original songs (from his ninth album "What a Day"). This show begins with Fred greeting the audience and introducing his helper, Arnie the Arrow. Then it's off to explore things large and small in Fred's backyard -- from the colors of the rainbow to counting ladybugs on a rose. After looking at the reasons for the seasons, the stars begin to appear as Fred sings "We're Going to Shine." Arnie points out the Big Dipper -- but wait -- it's really a bear we're looking at! Following a story about Callisto and Arcus, we snap our fingers to the beat of the planet poem, see some meteors whiz by, and sing along to "The Moon Song." The show ends with the song "In My Backyard" and Fred's goodbye to the audience. Children will enjoy storytelling, poetry, and song as they learn about the seasons, constellations, planets, meteors and the Moon.
	Defying Gravity Join host Apollo Aurora and her science reporters as they explore the science behind rocket power, gravity on other planets, and even monstrous black holes! Robot experts Apple 1-6-8-6 and EGR-1 will also lend a few circuits to explain the force that keeps us humans all grounded. Well, some of the time!
	Two Small Pieces of Glass Celebrate the work of those who used telescopes during the past 400 years. The largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe. Join two young people at a star party as they learn how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. A local astronomer teaches them how telescopes work and how the telescope has changed from Galileo's modified spyglass - using two small pieces of glass - to the huge, space and land-based devices of today, like NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
	To the Moon and Beyond Experience the exciting adventures of Apollo astronauts on the Moon with young Carol and her dad. Learn what prompted the Race to the Moon, and become better acquainted with the attributes of Earth's natural satellite. Then, discover how NASA plans to send humans back to the Moon, Mars, and beyond! You may be inspired to join this quest! This program features the voices of Mary Morrison of WJBF in Augusta, GA (narrator), Tony Baughman of WKSK 92.7 FM (Dad), Moriah Melvin (young Carol), and Laura Melvin (Dr. Carol Bradford). This show was created for our Digistar II system. We have been very pleased with this show and keep it in our listing for archival purposes. A show kit is still available for planetariums and ideal for "traditional" systems. Learn more about the show kit