ALFALFA: The Hunt for Starless Galaxies
Dr. Martha Haynes, Cornell University

Friday, January 25, 2008: 7pm, 8pm

Mars observing following presentation!

On February 4, 2005, the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA Survey, ALFALFA, began surveying the sky for faint cosmic radio signals from hydrogen clouds in other galaxies and in intergalactic space. One of ALFALFA's principle aims is the discovery of invisible "dark" galaxies: objects which contain no stars but consist largely of the mysterious stuff called "dark matter" with just enough hydrogen gas that we can detect them with the huge radio dish at Arecibo. In this talk, I'll discuss why dark matter is important, and how ALFALFA is hunting for these "stealth galaxies".

Superstars!
Mr. Cory Rosenberger, Planetarium Assistant

Wednesday, February 20, 2008: 7pm, 8pm (Please note change of date)

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE viewing begins at 8:43pm EST

How Superman Saw the Stars
Dr. David Helfand, Columbia University

Friday, March 7, 2008: 7pm, 8pm

We have evolved on a planet orbiting a star that emits "light", and our personal radiation detectors (our eyes) are very sensitive to the Sun's emissions. But they are blind to 98% of the radiation the universe sends to us. Over the last 50 years, astronomers have focused on opening windows on this unseen universe. In particular, orbiting x-ray telescopes have revealed the hottest and most violent regions of the cosmos - black holes devouring stars, huge clouds of 100 million-degree gas, and the remnants of stellar explosions. This illustrated lecture will provide a tour of the x-ray universe - as superman would have seen the stars.

Sun-Earth Day 2008 - CANCELED

Thursday, March 20, 2008: 10am-2pm

Due to other circumstances, this event has been canceled.

Astronomy and Space Day 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008: 5-9pm

See Moon rocks from the Apollo Missions, make and launch rockets, star shows and NASA videos every hour, meteorites, telescopes, telescopic observing, hands-n astronom activities, fun for all ages, and a total lunar eclipse live! Visit the Georgia Southern Planetarium with members of the Statesboro Astronomy Club and Department of Physics for their largest free event of the year as we celebrate astronomy and space! Star maps, moon maps, bookmarks, and more to be given away! The planetarium is located in the Math/Physics Building across Herty Drive from Hanner Fieldhouse on the campus of Georgia Southern University. For more information call the Department of Physics at 912-681-5292.