ORONO – The Emera Astronomy Center, located off the Rangeley Road at the University of Maine, will host the following star shows for the month of January.

Expedition Reef – January 4, 11, 18, and 25, 7-8 p.m.: Explore the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea” and embark on an oceanic safari to the world’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems – coral reefs. Discover how corals grow, feed, reproduce, and support over 25 percent of all marine life on Earth — while facing unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat destruction, and overfishing. Although they line about a third of tropical coastlines, reefs comprise less than one percent of the world’s ocean environments, showing how precious and fragile these systems are. Thousands of tropical fish and colorful corals thrive in one of the largest and deepest indoor displays of living corals. Narrated by Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga, Expedition Reef will immerse audiences in an undersea adventure. This fulldome planetarium show provides an up-close look at a part of our planet many people have never experienced.

Magic Treehouse: Space Mission – January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2-3 p.m.: Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie, in their Magic Treehouse as they discover a note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. With the help of an astronomer, the Internet, an astronaut, books and the writer of the mysterious note, Jack and Annie are taken on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning. This exciting voyage will carry visitors to the planets and far out into the Universe where Jack and Annie nearly get… Well, we don’t want to give it away. The adventure is just beginning! Based on the popular book series by Mary Pope Osborne.

Legends of the Night Sky: Orion – January 8, 10-11 a.m.: Take a fun and lighthearted look at the myths and stories associated with the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky. Orion comes to life in a fun-filled, animated accompanied by narrators Aesop the owl and Socrates the mouse as we follow Orion’s adventures as he grows to manhood, battles mythical beasts, foils the plot of an evil king and wins the heart of Artemis, the beautiful moon-goddess. We learn how the constellation Orion was placed in the sky, forever turning overhead throughout the seasons. The program includes a live sky lecture showing where Orion and his companions are located in the Winter Skies.

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 at astro.umaine.edu, by phone at 207-581-1341, or at the ticket box office prior to the show.

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