(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg will present two new star shows in April: Max Goes to the Moon, designed for youngsters ages 6-12, and Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter, for audiences ages 10-adult.
Max Goes to the Mooon will run Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 3:00pm. The show focuses on a dog named Max and a young girl, Tori, who take the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo era. The story also covers such concepts as Moon phases and whether one could throw a frisbee on the Moon, which are thoughtfully explained so grownups and children can learn together. Max and Tori’s trip proves so inspiring to people on Earth that all the nations of the world come together to build a great Moon colony. Then, while on the colony, “the beautiful views of Earth from the Moon made everyone realize that we all share a small and precious planet.”
Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter will be presented Saturdays, April 12, 19, and 26, at 7:00pm. This new Planetarium show is designed to immerse audiences in the manifold search for dark matter—from the journey of protons racing through the world’s largest particle collider in Europe, to up-close views of the Big Bang and emergent universe, and the nearly mile-deep descent to an underground experiment in South Dakota. The program showcases this exciting exploration from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider.
Planetarium tickets cost $11 for one show, $20 for two shows back-to-back on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show. Late admission to Planetarium shows is not permitted. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. For additional information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.
Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.
Other highlights in April include:
* Laser Kids laser concert, Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 4:00pm, for ages 6-12
* The Sky Above, a sensory-friendly program designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders, Saturday, April 5, at 5:00pm
* Astronomy Tonight’s guided tour of the night sky using the Planetarium’s upgraded digital theater, Saturday, April 5, at 7:00pm, for ages 8-adult
* Laser Classic Rock, Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 8:00pm, for ages 10-adult
* Sunset Meditation, featuring a guided meditation experience in the Planetarium’s comfortable, reclined seats, Friday, April 11, at 7:00pm, for ages 10-adult
For a complete list and schedule of RVCC Planetarium star shows and laser concerts open to the public, click here.
Last fall, the Planetarium installed new computers, video projectors, and audio speakers that provide audiences with an exciting, immersive experience. The new system offers brighter, clearer images and sharper sound quality, as well as an enhanced ability to “fly” through the Universe. The upgrade was funded through the RVCC Foundation by a generous RVCC supporter.
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, New Jersey.
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