Category: Planetarium News | Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium's Blog

October Astronomy

Posted: September 30, 2021| Categories: Mark Breen, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy, What's Happening

As the shorter days give way to longer nights, the Milky Way arches from near the Teapot of Sagittarius, hosting Jupiter and Saturn in the south-southwest, through the Summer Triangle high in the southwest, then into the northeast to greet the rising star Capella. Summer’s bright star Arcturus sets in… Read More

September Astronomy

Posted: August 28, 2021| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Mark Breen, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy, What's Happening

Summer’s constellations, Scorpio and Sagittarius, begin their departure, progressing from south toward the southwest through the month. At the same time, the planetary duo of Jupiter and Saturn climb higher from the southeast into the south. Extending up from the Teapot in Sagittarius, the broad, faint path of the Milky… Read More

Stargazing Party

Posted: August 11, 2021| Categories: Mark Breen, Museum News, Planetarium News, StarGazing

Aug 12: Turn your gaze toward the stars! You’re invited to a statewide stargazing party with hosts Mark Breen, director of the planetarium at the Fairbanks Museum, and VPR’s Mary Engisch. Mark also produces his own astronomy podcast — Eye on the Night Sky — broadcast weekdays on VPR. He’ll… Read More

Summer in the Planetarium

Posted: August 2, 2021| Categories: Planetarium News, Programs and Events

No boundaries! Summer is time to test your limits, and Vermont’s only public planetarium invites you to journey beyond time and space. With 6 shows scheduled every day, our Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium takes you on a romp with dinosaurs of prehistoric Antarctica, brings you alongside cutting-edge scientists in Chile,… Read More

Live Chat with NASA Engineer

Posted: July 7, 2021| Category: Space Science

July 28, 2:00 PM On Zoom and at the Fairbanks Museum Let’s explore the applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics on the next mission to the moon! Join us for a virtual chat with NASA’s Dr. Jenny Gruber, the Artemis Program Human Landing System Cross Program Integration Lead. With… Read More

May Astronomy

Posted: May 3, 2021| Category: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

May welcomes the return of some of summer’s brighter stars, including Vega in the northeast, and Antares in the southeast. High in the south, Leo the Lion prowls toward the southwest through the month, while high above, the Big Dipper guides you with its handle to “arc” to Arcturus, then… Read More

April Astronomy

Posted: March 31, 2021| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Planetarium News, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

The stars continue their transition into spring each April, as Orion and his companions, the Big Dog and Taurus, the Bull, gradually settle toward the western horizon. The spring stars may not dazzle in comparison, yet the Big Dipper is placed high in the northeast, Leo, the Lion champions the… Read More

March Astronomy

Posted: March 2, 2021| Category: Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

In March, Orion settles into the southwest for some great evening views. The evenings also feature the Big Dipper rising in the northeast, looking like a giant question mark. Follow the “handle” toward the horizon, where the star Arcturus rises by 9 o’clock. After months of great planet viewing, only… Read More

Astronomy Camp

Posted: February 2, 2021| Categories: Astronomy Camp, Programs and Events

A virtual camp with one day of socially distanced rocket launching! April 12-16, 2021 Ages 9 to 14 What does it take to get to the moon? Let the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium help prepare you to become a Citizen of the Cosmos! With some imagination and ingenuity, we’ll find… Read More

February Astronomy

Posted: February 1, 2021| Categories: Eye on the Sky, Skywatch Almanac Astronomy

Orion dominates our February evenings, striding mid-way up from the southern horizon by 8 o’clock, accompanied by the brightest star in our night skies, Sirius, below and left of Orion, marking the nose of the Great Dog. High in the south, Taurus, the Bull charges at Orion, as the Big… Read More