Journey to the stars
Date:
May 12, 2007
Course Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
Type of Course: Planetarium Show
Location: Jordan Planetarium, University of Maine, Orono
Registration Fee : $8.00
(*Optional buffet dinner being arranged)
This course is open to all. It is not necessary to be a Mason to attend. Attendance is strictly limited to 45 maximum so register early.
Course Description
Astronomy is one of the seven liberal arts and sciences. For many, our last real contact with this particular science was a planetarium show years (or decades) ago. Things have changed!
As a precursor to a course in development on this topic, the Maine Masonic College is offering an opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary show at the Jordan Planetarium at the University of Maine. The Hubble Vision II show combines the splendor of the cosmos, brought into focus by the Hubble Space Telescope, with a spellbinding narrative to take you on a journey through the universe and allowing us to envision the 'mysterious worlds around us'. Using the latest images from the orbiting observatory, we will uncover new views of the planets; peek into star birth nurseries; catch visions of star death in its many forms; explore distant star clusters and galaxies; and experience views of the universe when the earliest galaxies were first coming into being.
We'll catch glimpses of solar system objects, including Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's crash into Jupiter. We'll witness the cataclysmic aftermath of supernovae in the Crab Nebula. We'll see breathtaking views of colliding galaxies; jets shooting from active galactic nuclei, powered by super massive black holes; the eerie effects of gravitational lenses; and deep-field views of the most distant galaxies ever seen.
After the show, attendees will be welcome to join in a buffet dinner (additional charge) at a nearby restaurant and have an opportunity to share impressions and opinions of what they've seen as well as to provide input for the astronomy course being developed.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
If you ask directions to the planetarium of anyone on campus, they will surely send you to the observatory. Ask for the Financial Aide building or Wingate Hall.
From Main Street (Rt.2) in Orono: Go north across the Stillwater River bridge and bear left at the traffic light onto College Avenue. Approximately 3/4 mile on left turn into the parking lot by the Steam Plant (note the smoke stacks). On foot- walk across the street and up hill onto campus. At the top of the walk, Wingate Hall will be the second building on left.
From Interstate 95: Take exit 193 and follow Stillwater Avenue toward Old Town to fourth traffic light. Turn right on College Avenue and one mile later turn right into the parking lot by the Steam Plant (note the smoke stacks). On foot, walk across the street and up sidewalk onto campus. At the top of the walk, Wingate Hall will be the second building on left.
You can find a map on the Galaxy Maine web site here.
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