Published: June 01, 2009 04:09 pm      

PLANETARIUM SHOW LOOKS AT HISTORY OF TELESCOPES

COMMERCE — The Texas A&M University-Commerce Planetarium presents "Two Small Pieces of Glass" beginning Friday June 5, showing at 7 and 8 p.m.

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, a 400-year anniversary since Galileo first turned the telescope toward the night sky.

"Two Small Pieces of Glass" traces the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications of a spyglass-using two small pieces of glass-to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. This show explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400 years.

Join us as we view the magnificence of Saturn's rings, explore the Galilean Moons, and other galaxies. "We gain an understanding of how some of the largest observatories operate and see how telescopes are used in exploration of the cosmos."

"Two Small Pieces of Glass" was developed for planetariums around the world by the International Planetarium Society. PBS is running a complimentary program nationwide; 400 Years of the Telescope: A Journey of Science Technology and Thought.

More information about IYA 2009 can be found by visiting their website: http://www.astronomy2009.us/home

In celebration of IYA 2009, the A&M Commerce Planetarium will be hosting another open house at the observatory this summer and invite the public to come view the wonders of the Cosmos. Visit our website for dates and times as well as directions and a map to the observatory. http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/university/Planetarium/observatory.asp. There is no charge for admission and everyone is welcome.

Check the planetarium site often for the latest news and show information. Visit http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/university/planetarium/schedule.asp