UM planetarium shows begin this month

Missoula Current

The University of Montana’s Department of Physics and Astronomy will host its spring semester planetarium shows in The Payne Family Native American Center Star Gazing Room starting this month.

The 50-minute shows take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 20; Feb. 3 and 17; March 3, 17 and 31; April 14 and 28; and May 12.

Each program will take attendees on a tour of the current night skies of Missoula, pointing out noteworthy objects, constellations, planets or upcoming events visible in the night sky. The show then will shift to engaging topics chosen by that evening’s presenter.

Attendees should plan to arrive 10 minutes before the beginning of the show to check in. The planetarium entrance will be locked after the show begins.

Though the Star Gazing Room is booked through the end of May for visiting school groups and private groups, the UM Department of Physics and Astronomy currently is scheduling summer shows for youth groups, private groups and nonprofit organizations.

As part of the Eloise Cobell Land and Culture Institute, UM’s planetarium is housed in the Star Gazing Room in the basement of the Native American center.

Tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and under, and are available for purchase at . The maximum capacity for public shows is 28 people, so tickets are limited. Shows generally sell out far in advance and are not available the night of the show.

For more information about the spring showings or booking a group event, follow this link.