"Black Holes and Relativity," a presentation by professor Andrew Hamilton, is the first in a series of live public astronomy shows at Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The program will be held on Friday Sept. 10 and Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
"Black Holes and Relativity" includes recent Hubble Space Telescope observations of possible black holes in distant galaxies and a look at other evidence of black holes in our own Milky Way galaxy. It features a fantastic but scientifically accurate view of a one-way flight into a black hole.
"People are fascinated by what would happen if you went near or inside a black hole," Hamilton said. "I had no idea at the time that I selected the topic that black holes would prove so popular."
To create the show Hamilton solicited the help of one of his former accelerated introductory astronomy classes. The students helped create the visuals and format of the show and at the same time gained hands-on scientific experience.
"Along the way to our simulated Black Hole encounter we demonstrate some of the mind-boggling predictions of Einstein's theories of Special and General relativity," Hamilton said.
Fiske Planetarium will present weekly programs, including a series of live presentations on a variety of topics, throughout the year.
According to Professor Catharine Garmany, Fiske director, astronomers and staff at the planetarium are very excited about the 1999-2000 series of shows.
"These programs not only include a full panoply of slides, videos and special star effects, they allow the audience a chance to talk with an expert and ask questions," Garmany said.
Fiske Planetarium is host to many different audio and visual effects. It has a unique "surround" environment that immerses the audience in a three-dimensional sky and is capable of reproducing any place on earth and any time in history.
The planetarium is located at Regent Drive and Kittredge Loop Drive on the CU-Boulder campus. Free visitor parking is available after 5 p.m. at the meters along Regent Drive and in metered lots 306 and 330 off of Regent Drive.
Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for seniors and children. For information about the programs at Fiske Planetarium, call 303-492-5001 for a recorded announcement or 303-492-5002 to speak to a member of the planetarium staff. The public is invited to visit the planetarium's web site at .
A schedule for the weekly fall '99 Fiske presentations is attached.
Fiske Planetarium Fall '99 Programs
o Friday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. (repeats Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.) Black Holes & Relativity, Professor Andrew Hamilton (see news release for description).
o Friday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. (repeats Tuesday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.) Constellations and Calendars, Professor Katy Garmany.
This program captures the beauty of the night sky and tours the constellations and planets we see now, as well as demonstrating how they change over the year. Learn how the sky became the original calendar for our ancestors, what sundials work at the equator and why astronomers aren't expecting any special celestial effects on Jan. 1, 2000.
o Friday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. (repeats Tuesday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.) Navajo Skies, Professor John Stocke.
Navajo skies features a visit to ancient North American observatories and illustrates the love for the sky that made astronomy a daily part of American Indian culture. Examine traditional American Indian star and constellation lore, simulated in the planetarium's sky and enjoy the sky's mythology, including the Navajo story of the creation of the stars. Dr. John Stocke has lived on the Navajo reservation and combines his experience there with his professional expertise as an astronomer.
o Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. (repeats Tuesday, Dec 7, 7:30 p.m.) Supernova! Professor Dick McCray.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. When the biggest stars run out of their nuclear fuel, the surface of the star can fall more than a million miles. The rebound effect is one of the biggest explosions imaginable: a supernova! Join Dr. Dick McCray for a scientific and historical look at one of the most violent phenomena in astronomy.