Planetarium Presents 'Life and Death of Our Sun' April 10

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Planetarium will explore 10 billion years of cosmic history when it presents “Life and Death of Our Sun” at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. on Friday, April 10. The presentation is free of charge and open to the public.

Led by Dr. Jan Drake, an assistant professor of physics in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, “Life and Death of Our Sun” will take guests on “a guided tour of … Earth’s life-giving star, starting from its birth at the dawn of our solar system to its death billions of years in the future. We will see how gravity brought together massive molecular clouds over millions of years to create our sun. We will explore the raging storms on its turbulent surface and their effect on our planet, and we will see how this massive, heavenly fireball expands, contracts, and finally burns out at the end of its life.”

"Life and Death of Our Sun” is the final public show of the Planetarium’s 2014-2015 season.

Seating for each of the three presentations is limited to 47 guests. Free admission tickets will be distributed beginning at 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the VSU Planetarium and are limited to seven per person.

The rooftop observatory will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting, allowing guests the opportunity to view the wonders of the heavens.  

Located on the third floor of Nevins Hall, the VSU Planetarium underwent extensive renovations during the summer of 2011 and now includes a Digitarium Kappa digital projector, which can reproduce the night sky as seen from anywhere on Earth or from the surface of any object in the solar system, at any time in history, past or future. This technology is the first of its kind in the world.

Limited parking will be available in front of Nevins Hall and across Patterson Street.

Planetarium public outreach shows are appropriate for children ages 5 and up.

Contact VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752 for more information.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/physics-astronomy-geosciences/

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.