CU-Boulder聮s Fiske Planetarium will present a series of Friday evening programs beginning June 12 through Aug. 14 on space phenomena ranging from cosmic collisions
-- a summer movie theme -- to a comparison of Mars and the solar system聮s other planets.
Special features of the summer program will include two live presentations, in June and July, by two CU-Boulder astronomers, and two daytime matinees for children every week between June 9 and Aug. 14 on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
The special presentations by CU astronomers will feature:
o Associate Professor Andrew Hamilton of the astrophysical and planetary sciences department speaking June 12 at 8 p.m. on "Black Holes and Relativity." Star watchers are encouraged to learn about the strange predictions of Einstein's theory of relativity, including one that Einstein himself did not believe -- the existence of black holes.
The audience will see the astronomical evidence, including Hubble Space Telescope pictures, ranging from stellar-sized black holes to gigantic black holes at the centers of quasars. In the program's finale, the audience will experience the sensation of falling into a black hole.
A question-and-answer session is included. After each of the two astronomers' presentations, participants will be invited to Sommers-Bausch Observatory for telescope viewing of the night sky, weather permitting.
o Fiske Planetarium Director Katy Garmany will present a program on the beauty of the night sky and its influence on significant developments on Earth titled "Historical Skies" on July 10 at 8 p.m. The program will examine the night sky as it looks today and how it has looked at various times throughout Earth's history.
Garmany will discuss how constellations, sundials, calendars and navigation are woven into our ancestors' study of the sky, and why the current night sky is the same one seen by survivors of the Titanic.
In addition, regularly scheduled Fiske summer programs will feature the following series of multi-media shows:
o "Searching for Distant Worlds" June 19 and July 31 at 8 p.m.
People have been searching the night skies for centuries, but only in recent years have astronomers discovered planets circling the distant stars. But why has it taken so long to verify the existence of other worlds? Nine or 10 planets have been discovered since 1995, when the first evidence was found of another planet orbiting a sun-like star, according to Garmany.
"We encourage audience participation, and conclude with an opportunity for everyone to consider for themselves how many distant planets might harbor intelligent life," she said.
o "Cosmic Collisions and Our Solar System" on June 26, July 17 and Aug. 7 at 8 p.m.
Collisions with bodies from space are not just a Hollywood fantasy. The audience will see how impacts shape the Earth's neighborhood and will learn about the collision of a comet with Jupiter in 1994. This program is offered in conjunction with a new exhibit at the CU Museum titled "Asteroids, Meteorites and Planetary Impacts."
o "City of Stars" July 24 at 8 p.m.
Earthlings live in a city of stars called the Milky Way. This program explores Earth's galactic neighborhood and makes a visit to distant galaxies beyond the Milky Way. Telescope viewing of the night sky also is available after the show, weather permitting, at Sommers-Bausch Observatory.
o "Mars Quest" Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.
How Mars compares with other planets in the solar system and why the Earth is teeming with life while Mars and Venus are not is the subject of "Mars Quest." The program considers what future explorations will bring.
Programs at 8 p.m. cost $3.50 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children. Fiske Laser Shows are $4 regardless of age and are scheduled on Friday, June 26, at 9:30 p.m. for "Darkside;" Friday, July 24, at 9:30 p.m. for "Bob Marley;" and Friday, Aug. 7, at 9:30 p.m. for "The Grateful Dead."
For a complete schedule, call (303) 492-5001, or visit the Fiske Planetarium home page at . Fiske Planetarium is located on Regent Drive on campus. Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the lot west of the planetarium.