Astronomy Day is May 10 at NU State Museum

Astronomy Day at the University of Nebraska State Museum is May 10 and the museum's Mueller Planetarium will join forces with the Prairie Astronomy Club, Hyde Observatory, and the UNL Department of Physics and Astronomy to provide a day of fun and excitement.

There will be activities for all the family from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. at the museum, 14th and U streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus. Exhibits and displays will line the lobby of the planetarium and the main floor of the museum, including displays of telescopes, computer astronomy and astronomical photos by members of the Prairie Astronomy Club. Throughout the afternoon, there will be special demonstrations such as how to use a telescope, robotics, and hands-on science activities. The electronic display from the Space Telescope Science Institute, "ViewSpace," will project beautiful images from the Hubble Space Telescope and will provide an artistic and educational mosaic throughout the day.

There will also be a special one-day only engagement of the fulldome planetarium show "Extreme Planets." The 35-minute show will be presented at 11 a.m., noon, and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The show takes audiences to some of the most exciting newly discovered extra-solar planets and is narrated by Rene Auberjonois, best known from the Star Trek series.

Sponsored by Astronomy Magazine and Meade Telescopes, more than 30 planetariums, museums and observatories across the country will promote amateur and professional astronomy. All those who visit the event will have a chance to win a Meade computerized telescope valued at $300. Registration forms for the telescope drawing will be available at the front desk of the museum and individuals do not need to have purchased admission to be eligible and do not need not be present to win.

Astronomy Day will conclude in the evening with an open house "star party" during the regular open hours (sundown to 11 p.m.) of Hyde Memorial Observatory, 3701 S. 70th St. in Holmes Park. There is no admission charge at Hyde Observatory.

Admission to the NU State Museum is $5 for adults and $3 for children, high school and non-UNL college students. Children under 4 years and UNL faculty, staff and students are admitted free with ID. Planetarium show tickets will be sold in the Planetarium lobby, $3 for adults and $2 for children, high school and college students.

For more information, visit the Mueller Planetarium Web site, www.spacelaser.com, or contact Jack Dunn, planetarium supervisor, at (402) 472-2641 or by e-mail.