ORONO – The Emera Astronomy Center at UMaine will host the following events for the month of June.
The Powerhouses of the Universe: Stars,” narrated by Mark Hamill, June 3, 10, 17, 24, from 7-8 p.m.: Every star has a story. 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 lights the Universe. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars.
Little Star That Could, June 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 2-3 p.m.: It’s hard to be a little star in a big universe! Join a medium sized, yellow star as he makes his way through space. In his travels he meets many different types of stars and learns about some of the other things that makes our universe so interesting. After meeting stars, nebulas, and galaxies, the little star takes a good look at himself and finds that he, too, is special. He has nine planets that depend on him for warmth and light. Along with the little star audiences learn the ways each planet is special.
Cosmic Colors, June 15, from1:30-2:30 p.m: From northern lights to garden flowers, color fills our lives and “Cosmic Colors” explains how we use the rainbow to see, understand and explore our universe. Visitors learn more about the electromagnetic spectrum, the Northern Lights and get a tour of the night sky!
Earth, Moon and Sun, June 22, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Earth, Moon, and Sun is a fast-paced full dome demonstration of lunar phases, eclipses, day and night, the sun and other puzzling events with the help of a confused coyote. This program beautifully illustrates basic concepts like moon phases and seasons. Based on the trickster of Native American lore, Coyote is constantly corrected in his misunderstandings of how things work. A live tour of the Maine sky and its beautiful constellations completes this micro-unit of astronomy.
Undiscovered Worlds, June 29, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Hundreds of planets have been discovered orbiting stars beyond the Sun. Our solar system is not alone in the universe, and with rapidly improving technology and recent endeavors like the Kepler Telescope, the discovery of exoplanets brings us one step closer to the possibility of finding an Earth-like world. How will this change how we view our place in the universe? Are we alone?
Tickets for planetarium programs are $6 for adults, $5 for UMaine students/veterans/senior citizens, and $4 for children under 12.
Tickets may be purchased online athttps://www.peek.com/purchase/activity/573b13c0b6e84f6ebf00df08/select_t…, by phone at 207-581.-341, or at the astronomy center’s ticket box office prior to the show.


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