Origins of Constellations
In the last First Friday show of the year, we will discuss the history of our constellations. Where did our 88 constellations come from? How did we settle on 88 when there were hundreds of constellations across various star charts at the beginning of the 19th century? This talk will also cover where the names of many of the brightest stars came from and how our constellations are used today. Presented by Robert Clayton, Planetarium Coordinator.
The Mysteries of Color
The Mysteries of Color
Date: Friday, November 3, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Did you ever wonder why things have different colors, or how we see colors? Or, maybe you’ve wondered why things change color. In this presentation, we will uncover some of those mysteries. We will learn about how we see color, what is color, and why sometimes things change color. Presented by Dr. Montserrat Rabago-Smith, Kettering University.
Through the Looking Glass: A Discussion of the Art of Microscopy
From the Looking Glass: A Discussion of the Art of Microscopy
Date: Friday, October 6, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
From the earliest rudimentary lenses to the marvels of modern science that are today’s state-of-the-art microscopes, microscopy has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. Beginning with the Nimrud (Layard) lens, a piece of rock crystal that dates back to the 8th century BC, through modern-day devices like electron microscopes and scanning probe microscopes, we will explore how microscopes have been used and improved over time. Join us on this enlightening voyage through the annals of microscopy as we celebrate the minds and inventions that have shaped our understanding of the micro cosmos, and explore the transformative potential that advanced microscopy holds for the future of scientific discovery. Presented by Dr. Ronald J. Tackett, Associate Professor of Physics - Kettering University.
Mass Extinctions: Are We in One?
Mass Extinctions: Are We In One?
Date: Friday, September 1, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Throughout Earth's history, there have been 5 major mass extinctions that have fundamentally altered life on this planet. Could we be experiencing a 6th mass extinction? Longway presenter and science teacher at the Henry Ford Academy, Andy Epton will review the previous extinctions for clues about the possible modern mass extinction. By learning about the past mass extinctions, we may be able to identify just what is happening to our modern world and what role we play in it. With the planet warming at an alarming rate and with more and more species becoming endangered or extinct, we have to wonder: is this a mass extinction or is it a natural result of evolution? Presented by Planetarium Presenter, Andy Epton.
Astronomer Spotlight: Vera Rubin
Astronomer Spotlight: Vera Rubin
Date: Friday, August 4, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Learn about one of the most influential astronomers of the last century - Vera Rubin. The exciting First Friday lecture will cover Rubin's career, her evidence for dark matter, and the Vera C. Rubin Oberservatory (LSST) that is expected to see first light in 2024. Presented by Longway Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross, M.S.
James Webb Space Telescope: 1 Year of Exploration
JWST: 1 Year of Exploration
Date: Friday, July 7, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Nearly one year has passed since the first Webb Telescope images were released to the public. Join Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross for an update on the fascinating images and insights from the Webb Space Telescope's first year in orbit. This special First Friday will discuss both the data and images released in the last 6 months and the current operating state of the telescope. Topics include icy plumes from the moon, a moon of Saturn, debris discs of young stars, galaxies, and more!
Ice Age Mammals
Ice Age Mammals
Date: Friday, June 2, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Join us at the Planetarium for June’s First Friday event, Ice Age Mammals. Our guest speaker, Bill Heyworth, will investigate evidence of ancient creatures that used to roam throughout Michigan, the United States, and Europe. Fossils, both original and replicated, will be used to demonstrate the features of different ice age mammals. The fossils will also be on display after the show for viewing and questions.
Eclipse: Chasing the Shadow
Eclipse: Chasing the Shadow
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Join Executive Director Todd Slisher as he helps get you ready for the upcoming solar eclipses in October 2023 and April 2024. In addition to hearing a bit of Todd's eclipse-chasing journeys, you will learn the differences between Lunar and Solar eclipses, find out how to safely view the upcoming eclipses, and learn where you can best see the Great Total Solar Eclipse of 2024. Every ticket to the event also includes a free pair of Longway Planetarium Eclipse Glasses.
First Friday: April
Shining Light on Ancient Clusters
Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Join the Planetarium Manager and explore globular clusters, some of the oldest objects in the Universe! Comprised of tens of thousands to millions of stars, these massive objects are a spectacular sight for both the amateur and professional astronomer. This exciting First Friday lecture will delve into the formation and composition of globular clusters, how researchers perform measurements and simulations, and where to find these objects in the night sky with the aid of a telescope. Presented by: Longway Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross, M.S.
First Friday: March {Rescheduled for June, 2023)
Ice Age Mammals
Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Join us at the Planetarium for March’s First Friday event, Ice Age Mammals. Our guest speaker, Bill Heyworth, will investigate evidence of ancient creatures that used to roam throughout Michigan, the United States, and Europe. Fossils, both original and replicated, will be used to demonstrate the features of different ice age mammals. The fossils will also be on display after the show for viewing and questions.
First Friday: January
Update: James Webb Space Telescope
Date: Friday, January 6, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Nearly 6 months have passed since the initial release of the first James Webb Space Telescope images. Join us as we explore the new images, articles, and scientific discoveries made by the most advanced space telescope to date. Topics will include the dynamics of nebulae, protostars, planets, and the most distant and oldest galaxies ever seen in Webb's latest Deep Field. Presented by: Longway Planetarium Manager, Patrick Ross, M.S.
First Friday: December
The Search For Life in the Universe
Date: Friday, December 2, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Are we alone in the Universe? How did we get here? These questions have been asked by scientists and philosophers alike for millennia, and form some of the core tenants of astrobiology, the field of science that focuses on the search for life outside of Earth. Join Dr. Andrew Gangidine, Curator of Earth and Space Sciences at Cranbrook Institute of Science, to learn how NASA and other scientists around the world are searching for alien life both near and far.
Presented by: Dr. Andrew Gangidine, Curator of Earth & Space Sciences at Cranbrook Institute of Science.
First Friday: November
See The Northern Lights
Date: Friday, November 4, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Have you ever wanted to see the Aurora Borealis? Here is your
chance to find out what causes the “Northern Lights” and how to
observe them. Since they are tied to storm activity on the Sun, we’ll
examine the Sun-Earth connection and why our magnetic field is
key in creating this phenomenon. We’ll also look at the stories and
folklore of the aurora, from Canada and Scandinavia to the southern
hemisphere where they are known as the Aurora Australis.
Presented by: Astronomer & Planetarium Manager, Mike Murray, Delta College Planetarium
First Friday: October
Mystery of the Fermi Bubbles
Date: Friday, October 7, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
First detected in 2010, these puzzling formations emanate from the Milky Way’s galactic center. They are a source of wonder for astrophysicists across the globe, and suggest that our galaxy’s supermassive black hole may have been much more active in the distant past. Join us to discuss active galactic nuclei and explore the possible causes of the mysterious Fermi Bubbles!
Presented by: Longway Planetarium Educator, Lydia Bontrager
First Friday: September (CANCELLED)
The Historic Artemis 1 Mission
Date: Friday, September 2, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Artemis 1 is the first step of NASA's deep space exploration systems designed to return humans to the Moon and Mars. The launch of Artemis 1 - set to take place on August 29 - will be recorded and shown in 360 degree full-dome video in the Planetarium. Opening and closing remarks provided by Longway Planetarium's Manager, Patrick Ross, M.S.
Presented by: Longway Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross, M.S.
First Friday: August
James Webb Space Telescope: A Mission in Flames?
Date: Friday, August 5, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
A broken mirror, a doomed sunshield, and proof of water on other planets! Join us for August's First Friday lecture as we delve into the sensational news revolving around the newly operational James Webb Space Telescope. Come and discover which stories are true, which are not, and put perspective on the plethora of challenges that the telescope has faced.
Presented by: Longway Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross, M.S.
First Friday: July
Imaging the Night Sky:
Date: Friday, July 1, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Have you ever wanted to photograph the night sky but weren’t sure how or what equipment you need to get started? Join us at Longway planetarium on July 1st for an introduction to astrophotography which will provide an overview of what you can take pictures of in the skies over Michigan and the techniques and equipment used to take images of the night sky and celestial objects. After the presentation our presenter will be available to answer questions and will have equipment available to demonstrate.
Presented by: Longway Planetarium Presenter Mike Close
First Friday: May
The Universe Through Superman's Eyes
Date: Friday, May 6, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Take a tour of the Universe through Superman's eyes, finding black holes of all sizes, remnants from the explosion of stars, the gas between galaxies, and maybe even signs of dark matter.
Presented by: Dr. Rajib Ganguly, Associate Professor of Physics - University of Michigan Flint
First Friday: April
The Flint River: Tales, Trivia, and Triumph!
Date: Friday, April 1, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
View the Flint River from an entirely new perspective! Explore its past, present, and future through engaging visual displays, interactive maps, and the most recent data. Join us as we share our Flint River watershed's story and script its next chapter!
First Friday: March
Get Away, Right Away.
Date: Friday, March 4, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Michigan’s largest county parks system has a lot to offer its residents. Lead Naturalist Nicole Ferguson, and Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator Courtney Prout, would like to take you on a photographic tour featuring treasures from YOUR Genesee County Parks. A great way to visualize your next day trip, no matter your recreation preference. We are looking forward to helping you Get Away. Right Away. With Genesee County Parks.
Presented by Courtney Prout, Environmental Outreach Coordinator, and Nicole Ferguson, Lead Naturalist at Genesee County Parks.
First Friday: February
Who will Discover our Future: world-class nuclear science at MSU
Date: Friday, February 4, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is one of the world’s leading rare isotope research facilities. FRIB accelerates stable nuclei to half the speed of light and fragments them on a target to produce nuclear varieties (isotopes) that don’t exist on Earth. Researchers study them before they decay in less than a second. The secrets we learn could help explain what happens in supernovae and the origins of elements that make up the human body. When the new linear accelerator comes online in 2022, FRIB is expected to discover over 1000 new isotopes!
Bio:Zach Constan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in physics (1995) from Albion College, studied psychoacoustics for his Ph.D. in physics (2002) at Michigan State University, taught college astronomy for three years, and served as a church Youth Director. Now, as FRIB Outreach Coordinator, he gets to tell everyone about the exciting developments in nuclear science at MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
First Friday: January
In-Person
Astronomical Highlights of 2021
Date: Friday, January 7, 2022
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Join the Planetarium manager Patrick Ross, M.S., for a recap of the major discoveries in astronomy and advancements in space flight during 2021. Discover Mars in incredible new detail with the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity helicopter. Learn about NASA’s mission to deflect an asteroid and preparation of the SLS launch vehicle. Watch as private companies achieve record breaking milestones and, of course, learn about the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope!
First Friday: November
In-Person
Vulcan: Mercury's Contender for First From The Sun
Date: Friday, November 5, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
While many can recognize the name of Mercury as the fastest and closest planet to our sun, for a time that idea wasn't always believed. Join Andy Epton of the Solar System Ambassador program as we take a look at the former contender to Mercury's status and how we refined our observations to crown the fastest of the inner planets.
First Friday: October
In-Person
Our Forgotten Neighbor - The Moon
Date: Friday, October 1, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
From the late 1950’s through 1972 one of the most exciting items in the news was the exploration of the moon. Since then, news of lunar exploration is considered about as exciting as a trip to the grocery store. Yet it is still one of the most difficult engineering feats ever and humanity has explored less than one millionth of the lunar surface. But the Moon is unique because it is the only celestial body that we can all observe and explore with minimal equipment and cost. Join us as we learn more about our forgotten next-door neighbor. We will look at the history of lunar observation and exploration, get an overview of lunar features and how you can observe and study the moon with only a simple pair of binoculars.
First Friday: September
In-Person
From Fiction to Invention - A Look at Science Fiction's Role in Science and Technology
Date: Friday, September 3, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
At what point can fiction transition to fact? For over a century innovations in science and technology have been mirrored by the flights of fancy of science fiction writers. How do these two fields; one bound by set laws and theories, the other a dreamscape of imagination, come together to produce the technology and theories of today and tomorrow? Join us as we take a look at the intertwined history of science fact and fiction and theorize where they can lead us in the future.
First Friday: The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse
Hybrid In-Person & Virtual Event
Presented by Dr. Stella Kafka, American Association of Variable Star Observers
Date: Friday, August 6, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In-Person Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
Virtual Location: Free livestreams will continue on Facebook Live. Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply CLICK HERE to watch. Beginning this month, First Friday events will be livestreamed from the planetarium theater.
In October 2019, astronomers noticed that Betelgeuse entered one of its dimming episodes. Nothing unusual until Betelgeuse kept dimming past its known recorded minimum brightness. From the 7th brightest star in the sky, Betelgeuse eventually became the 21st, puzzling astronomers worldwide. This notable change in the star’s behavior gave rise to many theories for its dimming, including speculation on whether Betelgeuse has reached its fateful end as a supernova. Thanks to the AAVSO observers who continued to provide critical data on this bright star, we now have a good idea of the star's physical properties and an interpretation for its dimming. This presentation will focus on the 2019-2020 Betelgeuse event, presenting key theories and research outcomes explaining it.
Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Executive Director and CEO of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers), an international organization focusing on engaging professional and amateur astronomers in science. Within the auspices of the AAVSO, Dr Kafka is working towards enabling individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate in research projects, building a community of science-savvy citizens who work collectively to understand some of the most dynamic phenomena in the universe.
First Friday: The State of Exoplanets
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Buddy Stark, Longway Planetarium Manager
Date: Friday, July 10, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
For a while exoplanets were all over the news as exciting new discoveries, but it's been a while since we've heard about them. Have the new discoveries stopped? Far from it! In fact, they rarely make the news today because exoplanet discovery has become so commonplace. Join us as we look at a few of the newer finds that you may not have heard about, including a planet orbiting two stars and some rocky exoplanets with obvious atmospheres.
First Friday: Annular Eclipse
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Buddy Stark, Longway Planetarium Manager
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
Buddy discusses the upcoming annular eclipse, and the reasons why the moon is sometimes large enough to block out the sun, and other times too small.
First Friday: Tidal Tidings
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Kenneth Wilson
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
Just what are the tides anyway? What causes them? Is Earth the only place tides happen? What about extreme tides? Can tides really destroy whole worlds? For the answers to these and many other questions, join us for Tidal Tidings!
Mars Exploration
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Dave Cuomo
Join us for an exciting look at the exploration of Mars. We'll look at the latest NASA images from Jezero Crater as we discuss the history of Mars exploration, from Perceval Lowell's Clark Telescope in Flagstaff, Arizona to the current NASA mission Perseverance.
Date: Friday, April 2, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
Dave Cuomo started working as an informal science educator in 2003 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Since that time, he has dissected hundreds of sheep hearts, conducted vacuum chamber experiments on numerous marshmallow astronauts, and inspired curiosity in thousands of people of all ages. He has been a Solar System Ambasador since 2016 and works as an Education Specialist for Digitalis Education Solutions. Previously he was the Supervisor of the Willard Smith Planetarium at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, and Coordinator of the Space Odyssey exhibit hall at DMNS, in Denver Colorado.
Finding Earth 2.0
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Ana Parra of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Is there an Earth 2.0? If so, where would we find it and would it be able to support life? Together we will explore the history and diversity of exoplanets, planets that exist outside our solar system, and we will investigate which exoplanet could be our Earth 2.0. Exoplanet research has contributed to the unveiling of the Universe, but how has it benefited those on Earth? Together we will unveil the commercial products we have gained from NASA technologies used in astronomy research.
Date: Friday, March 5, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
WATCH: Our Milky Way
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Buddy Stark
The galaxy we live in is easily visible in our sky. Virtually every culture on the planet has narratives about this strange band of light across the night sky. This talk will look at stories from a few of these cultures about how the Milky Way was perceived. From spilt milk to corn meal to termites, the Milky Way has been a lot of things to a lot of people. We’ll also take a look at how telescopes have changed our modern understanding of the Milky Way over the last few hundred years. It has progressed from being the entire known universe, to just one among virtually countless galaxies in existence.
Date: Friday, February 5, 2021
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
WATCH: Photographing Science
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Mike Close
The galaxy we live in is easily visible in our sky. Virtually every culture on the planet has narratives about this strange band of light across the night sky. This talk will look at stories from a few of these cultures about how the Milky Way was perceived. From spilt milk to corn meal to termites, the Milky Way has been a lot of things to a lot of people. We’ll also take a look at how telescopes have changed our modern understanding of the Milky Way over the last few hundred years. It has progressed from being the entire known universe, to just one among virtually countless galaxies in existence.
Date: Friday, December 6, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
WATCH: How did the stars help people sail?
FREE LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE
Presented by Buddy Stark
We've all heard it said that historically sailors navigated by the stars. This talk will look at the specifics of how they actually went about doing this. How were sailors able to look up into the night sky and determine their position on the Earth just but the positions of the stars. After all the stars constantly seem to move so it seems like it would be a difficult task. In truth it can be a difficult skill to learn but once you understand some of the ideas at play, and are willing to memorize a few key stars, anyone can use the sky to navigate their way on the globe.
Date: Friday, November 6, 2020
Time: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Location: In person as well as Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
WATCH: The Discovery of Neptune
IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENT
Both Neptune and Uranus are often glossed over as we marvel at the rings of Saturn or observe the four moons of Jupiter. Only one spacecraft has ever flown past these icy giants of the outer solar system, so we know comparatively little of these worlds. Still, as with many topics in astronomy, there is interesting history to how we discovered Neptune and an enduring argument as to who to credit with the discovery. The position of Neptune was actually predicted by mathematicians before it was ever viewed in a telescope. This talk will look at the people who contributed to the discovery of Neptune, what we have learned about it since then, and what still remains to be known.
Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
In-Person and Virtual Event: This month, tickets are available for sale for the live in-person event. Longway Planetarium's seating capacity continues to be limited to 30 people to ensure social distancing. We will also continue to present a free livestream on Facebook Live so that the event continues to be available to a larger audience.
WATCH: Journey From The Edge of Darkness
FREE livestream on Facebook Live
Guest Speaker Dr. Rajib Ganguly from the University of Michigan-Flint discusses how three black holes changed how we see the universe.
Date: Friday, August 7, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
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WATCH: Planet Nine
FREE livestream on Facebook Live
A few years ago there was talk of the existence of Planet Nine (no, not Pluto) and about the race to find it. A few years later, we're still empty-handed. This talk will look at why that's not necessarily surprising but also at some new evidence that has some scientists second-guessing the existence of Planet Nine altogether and how this endeavor is a good reflection on the scientific process.
Date: Friday, July 3, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch at 6:00 p.m.
Image credit: nagualdesign; Tom Ruen, background taken from File:ESO - Milky Way.jpg / CC BY-SA
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WATCH: These Are The Voyages
FREE livestream on Facebook Live
Join us on Facebook Live for First Friday! In the fall of 1977, two remotely piloted spacecraft left Earth on what was originally intended to be a five-year voyage to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Forty-three years and three mission extensions later, the Voyager spacecraft have exceeded all expectations and are still going, now beyond the heliosphere at the outer edges of the solar system. This talk will look at the history of the uncrewed space program, the Voyager spacecraft, and the many discoveries Voyager has made in its 43-year mission—and look ahead to where it is going.
Date: Friday, June 5, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch at 6:00 p.m.
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WATCH: Astronomy 101
FREE livestream on Facebook Live
Join us on Facebook Live for First Friday! This talk will feature the basics that you need to know to get out and enjoy finding constellations and celestial objects in the night sky. We will be looking at how one begins to make sense of the stars when it all looks like a big jumbled mess overhead. We will briefly discuss the basics of what to look for in a telescope and we will finish by looking into how our ideas of the size of the universe have changed over time with many historical discoveries and how we estimate vast distances today.
Date: Friday, May 1, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live **Please note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live video. Simply click the link to watch.
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WATCH: Treasures of Orion
FREE livestream
Join us on Facebook Live for First Friday! Mike Close will present Treasures of Orion. Orion is the nearest stellar nursery to Earth and gives us a fantastic view of the lifecycle of stars. Mike will give us an in-depth view of the objects in the Orion region, and examine the stellar lifecycle that plays out in the area.
The constellation Orion the Hunter is one of the brightest and most recognizable constellations in the winter skies of the Northern Hemisphere. Orion features in the myths and legends of many cultures; some predating Greco-Roman times. The region of space defined by Orion is blanketed by the Orion Molecular Cloud and is a treasure trove of astronomical objects like the Great Nebula in Orion, the Horsehead Nebula, and the mysterious red hypergiant star Betelgeuse.
Presented by Mike Close
Date: Friday, April 3, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Facebook Live
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Kuhnian Philosophy of Science
Major breakthrough or meaningless metaphysics?
In 1962, Thomas Kuhn published what would become his seminal work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. In the subsequent decades, this provocative book would go on to inspire countless debates about the very nature of science itself. Kuhn suggests that there are two types of sciences: normal science and revolutionary science. He claims that the existence of revolutionary science calls into question whether or not science can really be considered a cumulative endeavor. This talk will outline Kuhn’s arguments for his ideas and will invite you to consider where you stand on Kuhn’s philosophies of science.
Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Wonders of the Arctic
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First Fridays: The Mystery of Betelgeuse
As a star, Betelgeuse is no secret. The incredibly bright shoulder of Orion the Hunter is easy to spot and carries a distinctly red hue. Still, much remains a mystery about this relatively close hypergiant star. Its sheer size makes it difficult to determine its precise distance. This makes other features of this star difficult to determine as well. However, there is no doubt that Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its stellar life cycle, and several months of consistent dimming have brought the timing of its inevitable collapse into question. In this talk, we’ll consider possible causes of this dimming, and the likelihood of seeing the supernova in our lifetime.
Date: Friday, February 7, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Oceans: Our Blue Planet.
Image credit: ESO/L. Calçada, artist’s impression of the supergiant star Betelgeuse
First Fridays: Coyote the Trickster
Presented by Seven Ponds Nature Center
Coyotes are fascinating creatures and have rightfully earned their name, the Trickster, with their adaptability and flexibility to solve problems. Winter nights are some of the best nights to hear the wild dogs “sing,” and a great time to learn about these amazing dogs. Join Seven Ponds Nature Center’s naturalist as she explores the coyote world, along with the other wild dogs found in Michigan.
Date: Friday, January 3, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Cosmic Christmas.
First Friday: Astronomy Update 2019
Join planetarium manager Buddy Stark as he walks through just a few of the things we’ve learned about our universe over the course of 2019. We’ll look at Saturn’s 20 newly found moons, helium hydride (and why you should care), an impossible white dwarf star (that exists), a huge puffy Jupiter exoplanet, and more. We’ll also look at some of the human achievements in space and space technology during 2019 including the first female spacewalk, a new spacesuit that’s designed on a per astronaut basis, light sail 2, and the continuing protests in Hawaii about an upcoming telescope. Join us as we look at humanity’s progress over the course of just one year!
Date: Friday, December 6, 2019
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Cosmic Christmas.
First Fridays: Messengers from Space
Guest Speaker: Mark Jeffery
Guest Speaker Mark Jeffery will highlight the puzzles of nature that meteorites help us investigate, and the quirks of human nature that are sometimes stirred by their arrival. A good number of meteorite specimens will be available for up-close inspection. This will further help us to appreciate both the beauty and the mystery of these ancient travelers.
Date: Friday, November 1, 2019
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Oceans: Our Blue Planet.
First Fridays: Light, the Universe and Everything
Guest Speaker: Mike Close
Humanity had little hope of ever understanding the nature or composition of stars until the mid-nineteenth century, when a new device called the spectroscope allowed chemists to understand more about the nature of the elements. It all started with observing and analyzing the light emitted by stars. A few innovative astronomers decided to observe starlight through a spectroscope. Their experiments changed the nature of astronomy forever and ushered in a brand new discipline called astrophysics. This lecture will discuss how spectroscopy allows us to understand the nature and composition of celestial objects; how spectroscopy has changed the study of astronomy; and how amateur astronomers are able to collaborate with professionals to contribute to astronomical research.
Date: Friday, October 4, 2019
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Ooky Spooky Light Show.
First Fridays: Water Moons
It used to be the prevailing wisdom was that Earth was the only place in the solar system to consistently harbor liquid water. In the past couple of decades, we have come to realize that may not be the case. Several moons in our solar system appear to have vast oceans of liquid water underneath icy frozen exteriors. This talk will explore several of these moons including Europa, Enceladus, Titan, and Ganymede. We will look at the methods used to find this water so far as well as upcoming NASA missions aimed at exploring these moons further in an attempt to determine which, if any, might also be hospitable to life as we know it.
Date: Friday, September 6, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Oceans: Our Blue Planet.
First Fridays -- Monarchs: A Vanishing Species
Guest Speaker: Katie McKeirnan of Seven Ponds Nature Center
Monarch Butterflies are one of the most iconic species you can find in your own backyard. These beautiful orange visitors have enchanted us as children and into our adult years. Unfortunately, these awesome creatures of change are facing incredible population losses. With around 90% having vanished in recent years, we can play our part by raising young caterpillars in our own homes. This hour long lecture will focus on the life cycle of a monarch butterfly and how you can start raising and, eventually, releasing them back into the wild.
Date: Friday, August 2, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. opening night showing of Oceans: Our Blue Planet.
First Fridays: The Apollo Adventures
Last month, we looked at the origin of the United States space program with the Mercury and Gemini projects. This month continues that theme as we turn our eyes to the Apollo program. July 20, 2019 marks 50 years since we first set foot on the moon, and the Apollo program is what got us there. We’ll look at the variety of motivations, hallmark moments, and setbacks in this story. Beginning at the Apollo 1 fire and ending with Gene Cernan’s final words from the surface of the lunar soil, there is much to take away from this grandest of human adventures.
Date: Friday, July 5, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Journey to Space.
First Fridays: 50 Years of Discovery
Join us as we look at the history of the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. In this talk we'll be comparing the achievements of both of these space programs and how the space race still benefits us today. Many of our modern technologies have their roots in this competition between nations. The talk for June will look at many different space programs, but will stop just shy of Apollo—we'll save that for next month when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Date: Friday, June 7, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Journey to Space.
FREE! First Fridays: Music Under The Stars
Music Around Town series presented by Flint Institute of Music
Date: Friday, May 3, 2019
Time: Shows at 5:15 and 6:15 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Tickets: Free admission for all; pre-registration is required. Call 810-237-3400 to reserve your seats.
Don’t miss this very special First Friday event! Flint Symphony Orchestra members will perform inside the dome as the stars twinkle overhead. This event is free to the public. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required. 7:00 p.m. showing of Journey to Space is free to those attending the 6:15 p.m. show.
Repertoire
Mars, the Bringer of war from The Planets
Jupiter’s Aria from Semele
Symphony #41 “Jupiter” – first movement
Symphony #41 “Jupiter” – finale
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity from The Planets
Twilight: New Moon
Canzone sotto le stella (Song Under the Stars)
La La Land: City of Stars
Featuring
Zeljko Milicevic and Alesia Byrd Johnson, violins
Janine Bradbury, viola
Irina Tikhonova, cello
Gregg Emerson Powell, bass
First Fridays: Shooting Stars, Meteorites and More
Join Longway Planetarium Executive Director Todd Slisher as he talks about meteors or “shooting stars,” what they are, how best to observe them, and how we’ve classified the meteorites that we’ve found on earth. We will discuss the various meteorite showers each year, and this coming year’s best showers to observe. Todd will also discuss many famous meteorite falls and finds, and will provide an update on NASA’s study of the Michigan/Hamburg meteorite that the Longway team recovered in January 2018.
Date: Friday, April 5, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. opening night showing of Journey to Space. Be among the first to see the new show!
First Fridays: History of the Milky Way
We live inside the Milky Way galaxy, named for its resemblance to a stream of spilled milk in the sky. Our understanding of the Milky Way has changed significantly throughout history. During this talk, we'll take a look at both the cultural influences and the scientific advances that have shaped our understanding of our own galaxy in space. We have pictures of many galaxies out in the universe, but no complete picture of our own galaxy. We'll talk about why that is the case, and how we can get around that to learn about our larger home in the universe.
Date: Friday, March 1, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7 p.m. showing of Wonders of the Arctic
First Fridays: Binocular Astronomy
Guest Speaker: Mike Close
Join us for a talk exploring the use of binoculars to observe the stars, planets and other objects in the night sky. This talk will discuss why binoculars are a great tool for beginning and experienced observers, how to choose and use binoculars for astronomy, a tour of objects in the winter sky that can be observed with binoculars, and more! Mike Close is a member of the Seven Ponds Astronomy Club and a planetarium presenter at Longway Planetarium.
Date: Friday, February 1, 2019
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Violent Universe
First Fridays: The Life and Times of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler
During this talk we will look at the work done by two of the giants of astronomy in our history books: Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. We will look at their accomplishments in their fields as well as many other aspects of their lives. By looking at who these historic figures were as multidimensional people we can gain a better appreciation for their contributions to our knowledge. Kepler may be the more commonly known figure today but it was Brahe who had the authority during his time. The interplay between his belief structure and that of his pupil Kepler is a fascinating story to be told.
Date: Friday, January 4
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Violent Universe
First Fridays: FIRST Robotics
Guest Speaker: John Wohlfert of FIRST Robotics
Join us for robot demonstrations and a talk by John Wohlfert of FIRST Robotics. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a national non-profit organization that engages kids in kindergarten through high school in exciting, mentor-based, research and robotics programs that help them become science and technology leaders, as well as well-rounded contributors to society.
Date: Friday, December 7, 2018
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of Cosmic Christmas
First Fridays: Astronomy, A Year In Review
Join our planetarium manager Buddy Stark for another year in review. This talk explores what we have learned about our universe since the beginning of 2018 and how our view of our solar system has changed. This year includes interstellar asteroids passing through our solar system, a new moon count for Jupiter, a planet with two south magnetic poles, rovers on asteroids, organic compounds on Mars, heavy molecules on Enceladus, news from LIGO, and more!
Date: Friday, November 2, 2018
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium
Includes 7:00 p.m. showing of The Queen Light Show: From Mercury with Love