W. A. Gayla Planetarium
Current Shows
Ring World
Narrated by John Billingsley | Star Trek - Dr. Phlox
The Cassini-Huygens mission is a joint effort of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. The mission is managed for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology.
The size of a school bus with a total weight of over 12,000 pounds, and an array of 18 packages of scientific instruments, Cassini-Huygens represents the combined effort of scientists and engineers in 18 countries, and is one of the largest, heaviest, and most sophisticated interplanetary spacecraft ever launched. It's destination? One of the most intriguing objects in our solar system. A world of unparalleled beauty and the undisputed Lord of the Rings, Saturn!
This program explains the route the spacecrafts will take to reach Saturn in July of 2004. Although the Pioneer and Voyager probes have visited this ringed world, in terms of information gathered from those spacecraft, Cassini-Huygens promises to run rings around them.
Light Years From Andromeda
Narrated by Michael Dorn | Star Trek - Worf
A beam of light leaves the Andromeda Galaxy and travels across the void of intergalactic space. On a planet located in a nearby galaxy, intelligent life evolves. As the light speeds across the light years, over the course of centuries, the primitives on the planet form cultures and civilizations, and begin to wonder about the universe surrounding them. Their awareness of the night sky increases, as the beam of light draws nearer to their planet. When the light reaches the Earth, some of the descendants of the early hunters have just escaped the bonds of their world's gravity, and visited the Moon. In modern times, scientific study of space help the planet's current inhabitants to understand the properties of light, and the ways that understanding shapes our further knowledge of the universe.
Through the Eyes of Hubble
Narrated by Gates McFadden | Star Trek - Dr. Beverly Crusher
This program tells the dramatic story of the stunning repair mission of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the ensuing stream of dramatic images and science. Through the Eyes of Hubble combines computer graphics, multi-screened video projections, and dozens of special effect projectors to present a celestial array of spectacular Hubble discoveries. Included in the show are observations of the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crash into Jupiter, atmospheric storms on Saturn, the birth and death of stars, colliding galaxies, evidence of the existence of black holes, and many other discoveries that may shed light on the fate of the cosmos itself.
Through the Eyes of Hubble is the product of a unique collaboration between the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium at Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore MD.
Larry Cat In Space
This show is a playful, imaginative cartoon presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the Moon. Through Larry's eyes, we observe his human family, a group of enthusiastic sky-watchers. Larry notes how human time differs from cat time. Diana takes a job on the Moon, and sadly leaves Larry behind. Larry figures out a way to hide in her clothes trunk. The trunk and Larry are loaded onto the Space Plane, which takes him to space station Freedom.
From there, he is transferred to the Lunar Shuttle. During weightlessness, the trunk opens. Larry floats out into the cabin, and looks out the window. When Diana discovers Larry, he leaps to greet her, but sails over her head, since he only weighs two pounds in lunar gravity. He meets the rest of Imbrium Village's inhabitants, including the evil Commander Stone, who orders Diana to return Larry to Earth. The Moon base crew petitions to keep Larry, and the Commander relents. He even makes Larry a cat space suit. When Larry ventures outside, he spots the Earth, looking a lot like the Moon did from the porch at home.
Larry Cat In Space is primarily targeted at grades 1-3, although everyone loves an entertaining, fun story! Parents and children alike will enjoy the show, and learn something about the Moon, too!
A Trip Into Space
Narrated by Jon Bell | Hallstrom Planetarium
In this program you will discover the answers to the most commonly asked questions about astronomy. Some of the questions this program will address are:
- Why there are different phases of the moon as well as the basic features of the moon
- Why we have solar and lunar eclipses
- What are black holes
- Why we have tides
- Why we have day, night and the reasons for the seasons
- The difference between the sun and the planets
- Why do conditions vary on each planet
- What is the Milky Way Galaxy
- How many Galaxies are there
This wonderful family program is presented using a variety of multi-media effects, and is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
Bear Tales and Other Grizzly Stories
Join us on a family camping trip under the stars, and listen in as the family is regaled by Grandpa Ben's lively tales about the night sky. Hear stories from ancient Greece and Egypt, up to modern tales about Blackbeard the pirate. Learn why the bears in the sky have long tails … or is that tales?
Grandpa takes us on a tour of the spring time constellations, explaining how and why they are there. He draws freely from all mythologies and his own imagination to explain the stars' position in the night sky. The result is a fun and educational show that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, all year long. Be the first in your neck of the woods to see this show. You'll 'bearly' contain yourself!
Dinosaurs
Ever since the discovery of ancient bones and the first use of the word dinosaur to describe the creatures they once were, people around the world have been fascinated by these prehistoric beasts. Share the excitement and wonder at the diversity and magnificence of these beings, who once dominated the earth as no other group of creatures has since. Presented in a smoothly-flowing narrative style, Dinosaurs takes you back for the feel of the time of the dinosaurs, and explains how geologic time works in a method that is effective and easy to understand.
Stars to Starfish
Stars to Starfish explores the mysteries and wonders of our oceans by comparing the exploration of the ocean, with that of deep space. Throughout most of our history, man has been preoccupied only with the surface of the sea, much like early astronomers were preoccupied with only the stars they could see. By learning the mysteries of the seas and oceans, scientist and astronomers are hoping to use this information in unraveling many of the mysteries of space. Can life possibly exist in some of the extreme environments we find on the other planets of our solar system? This program integrates the newest form of media presentation available in the planetarium, by displaying stunning underwater photography.
The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Two children build a rocket out of a packing crate and ponder the wonders of the universe, while discovering the power of their own imaginations. The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket gives an introduction to the solar system, with the aid of a talking astronomy book, and a lot of imagination. A great family show, and a wonderful and new exciting way to introduce astronomy to children.