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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

STAR SHOWS, LASER CONCERTS SET @ RVCC PLANETARIUM

RVCC Planetarium_laser image2Star Shows, Laser Concerts

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium is presenting stars shows and laser concerts for all ages in August and September.

WHERE: Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

The following shows have been scheduled just for children:

Magic Tree HouseMagic Tree House: Space Mission
WHEN: Tuesdays, August 9, 16, 23, 30, at 2 p.m.; Fridays, August 19, September 2, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 13, at 3 p.m.
Young star gazers join Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel and more. Who can help them answer the questions posted by the mysterious “M”? The show is based on the same-titled, best-selling series of novels.  The program includes a brief tour of the current night sky. (Recommended for ages 5 and older)

Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote
WHEN: Tuesdays, August 9, 16, 23, 30, at 3 p.m. 
Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky. Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun, full-dome show that tells Native American stories and explores lunar phases, eclipses, and other puzzles. The program, which also examines how humans learn through space exploration, is paired with a brief tour of the current night sky.  (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Rockin’ Rocket Ride
WHEN: Wednesdays, August 10, 17, 24, 31, at 2 p.m.
Put on your space suit and blast-off into outer space to visit the Moon, Sun and planets. The show offers a lively experience for young people with selected music from Journey Into Space by Jane Murphy. (Recommended for ages 3-8)

SkyLights
WHEN: Wednesdays, August 10, 17, 24, 31, at 3 p.m.
Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (“Family Ride,” “Kalien the Alien”) and Jane Murphy (“Moon Rock,” “The Planet Song”). Some songs are illustrated with lasers, while other tunes feature video images. (Recommended for ages 3-8)

Perfect Little Planet
WHEN: Thursdays, August 11, 18, 25 and September 1, at 2 p.m.; Fridays, August 12 & 26, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 13, at 4 p.m.
A family from another star system is seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known dwarf planet; sail through the rings of Saturn; feel Jupiter’s lightning storms; and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination will the family choose? (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Laser Pop Rock
WHEN: Thursdays, August 11, 18, 25 and September 1, at 3 p.m.
Enjoy a laser and video concert featuring songs by a variety of artists including “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, “Campfire Song Song” by Spongebob Squarepants, “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, and “Shake It Off,” by Taylor Swift. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

The following general audience astronomy shows and laser rock concerts have been scheduled:

Exploding Universe
WHEN: Fridays, August 12 & 26, at 8 p.m.
The universe we see today is the product of explosive events. As the universe has transformed into its current state, even the most elementary particles have endured. The show follows the path of one of these “particles,” a proton, as it participates in nature’s astounding events of rebirth and renewal. The program includes a brief tour of the current night sky. (Recommended for ages 10 to adult)

Laser Coldplay
WHEN: Friday, August 12, 9 p.m.
Watch lasers dance across the Planetarium dome while listening to hits from Coldplay, including “For You,” “Yellow,” and “Clocks.”

Cosmic Origins Spectrograph
WHEN: Fridays, August 19 & September 2, at 8 p.m.

Journey from a distant quasar to the Hubble Space Telescope orbiting the Earth. Light produces a spectrum.  The spectrum changes as it travels towards Earth, allowing us to learn about the light source, what it passes, and how the light source is moving. Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, the final instrument installed on the Hubble Space Telescope during its last servicing mission, allows us an unprecedented view into the vast spaces between the galaxies surrounding our Milky Way. The program includes a brief tour of the current night sky.  (Recommended for ages 10 to adult)

Best of Pink Floyd laser concert
WHEN: Friday, August 19, at 9 p.m.
Enjoy a laser concert featuring songs from Pink Floyd’s classic albums including “Shine on You Crazy Diamond,” “Money,” and “Comfortably Numb.”

Rock of Ages laser concert
WHEN: Friday, August 26, at 9 p.m.
Enjoy a laser concert with songs drawn from the popular Broadway show and feature film.  Sing along to “We Built This City” by Starship, “I Wanna Rock” by Twisted Sister, and “Talk Dirty to Me” by Poison.

Classic Rock
WHEN: Friday, September 2, at 9 p.m.
Enjoy a laser concert featuring a variety of classic rock songs including “Touch of Gray” (Grateful Dead), “Houses of the Holy” (Led Zeppelin), “Another One Bites the Dust” (Queen), “You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth” (Meatloaf), “Come Sail Away” (Styx) and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (Beatles).