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Special Programming |
Hudnall
Planetarium wants to help you and your students learn about astronomy and space
science. To encourage student learning
we offer special programming designed to teach moon phases, seasons, planets,
and more. To aid teachers in teaching
TEKS-related astronomy concepts we offer workshops and seminars. Let us know in advance and we can tailor or
create a new program to meet your needs.
To make arrangements for a special program please contact us in advance.
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Current Planetarium Shows |
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The Friendly Stars (preschool – 2nd grade) Children love Sol, our Sun character. He provides an overview of the nine
planets and discusses his importance to life on Earth. As sunset nears, the children get to sing
along as the stars appear, and learn a bit about the night sky. Fun is in store with a silly pointer game
and the show finishes with the story of Sky Bear. |
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Larry, Cat In Space (grades K-3) Join Larry Cat as he tells the story of how
he came to live with his owner, Diana, on the first science outpost on the
moon. Your students will enjoy this cat's
eye view of the world, astronomy, and the moon. Especially interesting is the depiction of what a trip from the
Earth to the moon will probably be like in a few years when the space station
is fully deployed and expanded. You
will also appreciate Larry's observations of what it would be like to live on
the moon. TOPICS: Space
travel, The Moon, What it might be like to live on the Moon, Weightlessness,
What it takes to live in an airless environment. |
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Secret of the Cardboard
Rocket (grades K-3) Take a tour of
the solar system, land on the moon, see dust storms on Mars, and fly through
the rings of Saturn. You can
experience all that and traveling along with two children as they discover
the secret of the cardboard rocket.
This show serves as a good introduction to the sun and the
planets. This show has been recently
updated and does not include Pluto as a planet. It is a fun program for any young, or young at heart, group. TOPICS:
Space travel, the sun, characteristics of the planets, the moon,
planetary moons. |
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Cowboy Astronomer (grades 4-adult) Join the Cowboy
Astronomer as he spins a few yarns about the stars. Your students will be captivated as Baxter Black, noted cowboy
humorist and poet, relates numerous tales about the stars. He tells some cowboy stories about the
stars, a few Native American Indian star stories, as well as some of the
familiar Greek constellation stories. Along the way he hits on a 'good store'
of science information about the universe, too. If you’re looking for a show on mythology, this is it. TOPICS:
Comparative mythology, Native American mythology, Greek mythology,
Star formation, Galaxies, Supernovae, Native American astronomical observing. |
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Hubble: Images of the Infinite (grades 5-adult) This show provides a marvelous recap of
discoveries made by the Hubble Space Telescope. It highlights the history and top science findings of the
telescope, as well as taking you on an unforgettable tour through the Solar
System, the Milky Way Galaxy, and to the limits of the visible Universe using
spectacular Hubble images projected on the Hudnall Planetarium dome. The program includes information on star
birth, life, and death, and the formation of the galaxy itself. TOPICS: The
Hubble Space Telescope, Star birth, Star death, Solar System planets, moons
and comets, Supernovae, Redshift, Cosmology and the Big Bang, Black holes,
Planetary nebulae, Star clusters--open and globular |
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Ringworld (grades 5-adult) Ringworld tells the story of the most
ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted -- the
international Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons. Come along as Cassini explores Saturn's
ring system, and watch as the Huygens probe is dropped into the atmosphere of
Saturn's giant moon Titan. The
Cassini/Huygens mission arrived at Saturn in 2004 and is expected to last
through 2008, making Ringworld a timely show about current scientific
events. The show was produced by
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was written by Dr. Bill Gutsch, former
head of the Hayden Planetarium in TOPICS: History
of Saturn’s discovery, Gravity Assisted Orbits, Planetary Magnetism, Ring
Systems, Deep Space Communications, Telemetry, Saturn’s Moons |
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Stargazer (grades 6 – adult) Find out what astronomers really do as you
follow the life of professional astronomer Dr. Jim Kaler from childhood to
the publication of his latest astronomy text. Dr. Kaler reveals some the secrets of stars – how temperature
is determined, how stars form, and how stars end their lives. In a very beautiful, poetic, and truly
interactive sense, Dr. Kaler entreats us to “Hold the star in our own
hands.” Classic Star Trek’s Nichelle
Nichols (Uhura) narrates along with Dr. Kaler himself. TOPICS:
Stellar evolution, Professional Career Choice, Spectroscopy. |
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Mars: 4th World (grades 5 – adult) It has been called by many names throughout the ages, but
we call it Mars. This show is all
about Mars and how it has influenced our culture and our science. Is there life on Mars? Will humans one day live on this fourth
world? Explore all the possibilities
in this original production from Hudnall Planetarium. This is one of our best and most popular
shows. |
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More Than Meets The Eye (grades 5 – adult) The opening line from this show says it all, “Stargazing
– just looking at the night sky – it’s an activity anyone with a curiosity
about the heavens can enjoy.” More
Than Meets The Eye is the perfect show if you consider yourself a
stargazer. Constellations, planets,
nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies all appear differently depending upon if
you view with the unaided eye or with binoculars or with a telescope. This show proves that backyard astronomy
can be enjoyable and simple. You’ll
quickly discover that there is a lot more to the night sky than meets the
eye. |
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Monthly Planetarium Events |
Public
Astronomy Lecture Series (PALS)
PALS is an astronomical outreach program of
Hudnall Planetarium intended to keep the public informed of recent news, events
and discoveries related to astronomy and space science. The series consists of monthly programs
presented by instructors, experts, and other academic and scientific
professionals. Each lecture is open to
the public. Many professional educators
have been able to receive professional development credit for attending PALS
events. All PALS events start at
7:00PM central time and are held in either the Hudnall Planetarium or the
Apache Rooms of the Rogers Student Center on the TJC Main Campus (depending
upon expected attendance). Admission is
$3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students & seniors. Teacher’s wishing professional development credit should check
with their local administration before attending. Advance tickets are available through the TJC Cashier’s Office in
the
ASET
Star Party
Following each PALS event, as weather
permits, the Astronomical
Society of East Texas will host a monthly Star Party for naked-eye
and telescopic viewing of the night-time sky.
Large and small telescopes will be on hand for viewing the moon, planets,
and interesting sky objects.
Astronomical Society members will also be available for questions and
discussions concerning telescopes, constellations, and celestial
happenings. Admission to the ASET Star
Party is free; donations are accepted by ASET to further its mission of
promoting amateur astronomy.
Public
Shows
On the second Saturday of each month &
the following Sunday, Hudnall Planetarium offers public shows. The shows will start at 2:00PM each
day. Admission for each show is $3.00
for adults, $2.00 for students & seniors.
Tickets may be purchased at showtime.
Return to the Hudnall Planetarium
front page and check out the scroller in the upper right-hand corner for info
on upcoming shows.
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Admission Fees |
$3.00
Adults
$2.00
Students (under 18)
$2.00
Seniors (65 and over)