The Summer Skies Return
The Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium is back in business with a new director and series of summer shows.
This summer, three planets—Venus, Saturn, and Mars—are visible in the early night sky, and are moving closer to each other. “Venus is the bright object in the western sky, but you might need binoculars to see Saturn and Mars as they get closer to the horizon right after sunset,” said Kevin Williams, the planetarium’s director, a planetary geologist, and assistant professor of earth sciences and science education. “Mars has a reddish hue, and you can see the rings of Saturn with a moderate telescope.”
A different Buffalo sky show is featured each season, making it easy for backyard astronomers to learn how to identify constellations, stars, and planets. The current shows, “View from Down Under: Stars of the Southern Hemisphere” (Fridays, 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 1:30 p.m.) and the “View from Buffalo: Summer Skies from Your Back Yard” (Fridays, 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 2:30 p.m.), run through August 28.
Boasting a dome that is 24 feet in diameter, the planetarium offers observers a crystal-clear view of the night sky from anywhere on Earth. Weather permitting, the planetarium staff brings out telescopes so that people can enjoy a closer look at the extraordinary skies. “We’re very fortunate to have Buffalo State College alumni, especially Tim Collins, ’92, and Steve Dubois, ’91, as senior operators for most of the public shows,” said Williams.
The planetarium was closed in November for renovations relating to the construction of the new Science and Mathematics Complex. Early in the year, the Buffalo State College community was deeply saddened by the death of Art Gielow, director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium for over 25 years. The planetarium reopened on April 30 under Williams’s direction with its spring shows.
With seating available for 60, the planetarium is open for group shows in addition to its seasonal offerings. Many school groups take advantage of this unique learning opportunity which has been improved with several facility updates. “We’ve updated the sound system,” Williams said, “and we’re planning to upgrade the lighting system.” The new system will use LED lights, which are much more energy efficient. It also will allow operators to simulate sunsets, sunrises, and other sky effects. “We will be better able to show the effects of light pollution on observing the night sky,” he said, “so that will be a valuable teaching tool.”
Each show is $6 per person, or $10 per person to see both show. The shows are free to Buffalo State students. Proceeds from ticket sales support improvements to the planetarium’s facilities and programming.
Related:
View photo gallery.
Contact the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium:
Kevin Williams, Planetarium Director
williakk@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878-5116
This summer, three planets—Venus, Saturn, and Mars—are visible in the early night sky, and are moving closer to each other. “Venus is the bright object in the western sky, but you might need binoculars to see Saturn and Mars as they get closer to the horizon right after sunset,” said Kevin Williams, the planetarium’s director, a planetary geologist, and assistant professor of earth sciences and science education. “Mars has a reddish hue, and you can see the rings of Saturn with a moderate telescope.”
A different Buffalo sky show is featured each season, making it easy for backyard astronomers to learn how to identify constellations, stars, and planets. The current shows, “View from Down Under: Stars of the Southern Hemisphere” (Fridays, 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 1:30 p.m.) and the “View from Buffalo: Summer Skies from Your Back Yard” (Fridays, 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 2:30 p.m.), run through August 28.
Boasting a dome that is 24 feet in diameter, the planetarium offers observers a crystal-clear view of the night sky from anywhere on Earth. Weather permitting, the planetarium staff brings out telescopes so that people can enjoy a closer look at the extraordinary skies. “We’re very fortunate to have Buffalo State College alumni, especially Tim Collins, ’92, and Steve Dubois, ’91, as senior operators for most of the public shows,” said Williams.
The planetarium was closed in November for renovations relating to the construction of the new Science and Mathematics Complex. Early in the year, the Buffalo State College community was deeply saddened by the death of Art Gielow, director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium for over 25 years. The planetarium reopened on April 30 under Williams’s direction with its spring shows.
With seating available for 60, the planetarium is open for group shows in addition to its seasonal offerings. Many school groups take advantage of this unique learning opportunity which has been improved with several facility updates. “We’ve updated the sound system,” Williams said, “and we’re planning to upgrade the lighting system.” The new system will use LED lights, which are much more energy efficient. It also will allow operators to simulate sunsets, sunrises, and other sky effects. “We will be better able to show the effects of light pollution on observing the night sky,” he said, “so that will be a valuable teaching tool.”
Each show is $6 per person, or $10 per person to see both show. The shows are free to Buffalo State students. Proceeds from ticket sales support improvements to the planetarium’s facilities and programming.
Related:
View photo gallery.
Contact the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium:
Kevin Williams, Planetarium Director
williakk@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878-5116
Media Contact:
Mary Durlak, Senior Writer | 7168783517 | durlakma@buffalostate.edu