'Nurseries in the Sky' at Valdosta State University's Planetarium

"Nurseries in the Sky," the latest in a series of public events at Valdosta State University's Planetarium, will take the audience on a tour of sites within the earth's Milky Way where new stars are born, in two separate showings on February 3, 2006, at 7 and 8 p.m., narrated by Dr. Kenneth Rumstay, director of the VSU's Observatory and Planetarium.

According to Rumstay, stars shine with a constant light for millions or billions of years, but they do not live forever. New generations of stars eventually replace them. Their birth sites are marked by luminous clouds of hydrogen gas that are among the most beautiful sites in the heavens.

The planetarium is located in room 3004 in Nevins Hall. Public parking is available in front of Nevins Hall and at Christ Episcopal Church, across Patterson Street. If weather permits, the observatory atop Nevins Hall will be open following the show to allow guests an opportunity to view the heavens.

"Nurseries in the Sky" is free and open to the public; however, since seating is limited to 47 people per show, tickets may be reserved in advance by calling VSU's Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences at 333-5752. Tickets will also be available at the door, at 6 p.m., on February 3.