RVCC planetarium announces February shows

By: centraljersey.com
BRANCHBURG – The planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College is offering a variety of star shows and laser concerts for all ages in February.
The following shows will be presented:
SETI – The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence: Saturdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 3 p.m.
The prospect humans may not be alone in the universe is taken as a fact by film directors and producers, novelists and many scientists. As yet, they have no hard evidence of other life forms existing outside planet Earth.
SETI explores all sides of this topic, from the discovery of planets around other stars to the feasibility of traveling to the stars to the possibility UFOs have been visiting Earth. This is recommended for ages 10 and older.
Laser Pop Rock – Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 4 p.m.
See a laser show featuring such songs as "Pop Goes the World" by Men Without Hats, "Under the Milky Way" by The Church and "Saturday Night" by Bay City Rollers.
Winter Skies – Saturdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m.
The brightest stars of the year are clustered in the winter night sky. Learn how to use Orion as a guide to finding other stars and constellations this season.
Laser Beatles – Saturdays, Feb. 5 and 19 at 8 p.m.
Listen to music by the Beatles while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.
Laser U2 – Saturdays, Feb. 12 and 26 at 8 p.m.
Listen to music by U2 while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.
The following special shows also will be offered for children in February:
The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket – Sunday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.
Travel with two adventurous youngsters in their cardboard rocket as they explore the sun and the planets of the solar system. The show is designed to encourage the use of libraries, enhance language skills and develop individual imagination. It is recommended for ages 6-12.
Laser Kids 2 – Sunday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m.
Listen to such songs as "Twist & Shout" by the Beatles and "Fireflies" by Owl City while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead. It is recommended for ages 6-12.
"Follow the Drinking Gourd" – Monday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
Learn to find the Big Dipper and several other constellations in the night sky. Audience members then will go back in time and follow a slave trying to escape oppression. Run through forests, fields and mountains while trying to find a helping hand to freedom.
Sing along with the slaves who used the Drinking Gourd song to travel north on foot from Alabama to Canada. Based on Jeanette Winters’ book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," the show describes the astronomy behind the same-titled slave song. It is recommended for ages 6-12.
The Little Star that Could – Monday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
Travel with an average yellow star on his quest to get a "name" and a planet to call his own. A "cool" red star, a "hot" blue star, a dying star, double stars and the Milky Way Galaxy teach the Little Star some important things about being a star.
Imagine Little Star’s surprise when he discovers planets already going around him.
The show is a great introduction to the different kinds of stars in space as well as the planets in the solar system. It is recommended for ages 6-12.
Tickets to planetarium shows cost $6 for one show and $11 for two shows the same day.
Reservations are suggested.
For additional information, call 908-231-8805 or visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.