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Catch a Glimpse of the Mysteries of a Fall Night Through December

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2006) -- Star gazers have until mid December to explore the mysteries of an autumn night at Cal State Northridge’s Bianchi Planetarium.

The planetarium offers two shows every other Friday night this fall, giving the public an opportunity to view different aspects of the evening skies.

The first shows are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and provide a chance to learn about the stars, constellations and planets visible in the sky during autumn. The second show, scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m., will be followed by a telescope viewing of that night’s sky at about 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The second show’s topics are as follows:

• Nov. 3 -- "Mysterious Titan" takes a look at Saturn’s largest moon and the only moon in the solar system enshrouded in a thick atmosphere. This talk by CSUN alum Trina Ray, a member of the Cassini Science Planning Team at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will present all the major scientific discoveries from the Cassini-Hyugens Mission to Saturn.
• Nov. 17 -- "Meteorites and Asteroids" explores the relationship between the two. UCLA researcher Alan Rubin will discuss the links between meteorites and asteroids and their impact on the solar system.
• Dec. 1 -- "The Planet Club: Why Pluto Got Kicked Out, and Why Earth is So Special" features JPL’s Amanda Mainzer, who will discuss why Earth is such a unique planet and why Pluto didn’t qualify as a planet.
• Dec. 15 -- "The Search for Life in the Universe," in which recorded narrator Leonard Nimoy poses the question, "Are we alone in the universe?" The show explores attempts by humans to establish contact with extraterrestrial civilizations.

Student admission for the planetarium shows is $3 for one show and $5 for two. General admission is $5 for one show and $8 for two. Tickets are available at the Associated Student Ticket Office Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling the ticket office at (818) 677-2488.

Tickets can also be bought on the day of the show at the planetarium’s box office beginning at 7 p.m.

For more information about the planetarium’s shows, call (818) 677-5601 or visit the Web site www.csun.edu/physics/planetarium.