From afar, shimmering stars set in the night sky seem peaceful and tranquil. However, telescopic images can paint a different picture, showing us star “oddities.” For instance, older stars can become unstable and even explode. Many stars have doubles; there’s at least one instance of a person describing a “star within a star.”
Some stars are outright dangerous, too. In 2004, a star exploding over 50,000 light-years away affected Earth’s atmosphere. The star was appropriately named ASASSN-15LH. Another potentially hazardous star, WR 104, is pointed at us, but closer than ASASSN-15LH. And WR 104 could send a burst of gamma rays directly towards us.
Planetarium Director Pat Hanrahan will present “Space Oddities: Stars That Are Stranger Than Fiction” on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 9, with shows at 6 and 7:15 p.m. on both days. Hanrahan will also identify stars in the current night sky and show observers where to find some of these curious stars and other attractions.
Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute live program. Children are welcome to attend. The MHCC Planetarium is wheelchair accessible. Admission for the general public is $5, and $2 for children (17 and younger) and for MHCC students (identification required). Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Don't miss these upcoming shows in the Planetarium Sky Theater.
Dec. 4 and 7, 2018
Treasures of Orion and his Neighbors
Jan. 8 and 11, 2019
A Snapshot of Upcoming Astronomical Events for 2019
Feb. 5 and 8, 2019
Seeing the Invisible Universe
March 5 and 8, 2019
What did NASA’s New Horizons Spacecraft Find Beyond Pluto?
April 2 and 5, 2019
Auroras, Cosmic Rays, Shooting Stars, and Other Space Invaders
May 7 and 10, 2019
Current Spacecraft Exploration by NASA/JPL and By Other Countries
June 4 and 7, 2019
To Be Announced
All planetarium shows are at 6 and 7:15 p.m. For more information about the MHCC planetarium, visit mhcc.edu/planetarium.
Private showings for groups are also available on Fridays.