CCBC Benjamin Banneker Planetarium Announces Show List

From CCBC: The Community College of Baltimore County has beautiful new state-of-the-art Benjamin Banneker Planetarium in its Mathematics and Science Hall on the CCBC Catonsville campus. The Planetarium is named for Benjamin Banneker, a free black who lived in the neighboring area of Oella and who, as a self-taught man of science, was the author of a series of almanacs during the 1790s. CCBC Catonsville is now offers monthly Friday evening programs for adults to complement its monthly Saturday morning programs for children, a mainstay for many years. These free programs are not only designed to entertain but also are intended to encourage life-long earth science education. CCBC also hopes that these programs will spark an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education among prospective students.

Upcoming 2017 Planetarium programs include:

February 17

• “Eclipses and Solar Cycles” [two shows] (Astronomy Program)
• 7 p.m. first show and 8:30 p.m. second show, CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• In a little over six months, on August 17, 2017, the first total solar eclipse will be visible across the continental United States. Here in Maryland, we will only see a partial eclipse. We are also overdue for maximum solar activity, which occurs about every 150 years, and last occurred in 1859. Come and learn about eclipses, solar activity and see the CCBC debut of the award-winning, full-dome film “Solar Superstorms.”

February 18

• “Ancient Legends” [Children’s show] (Astronomy Program)
• 10 a.m., CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• Learn about the astronomical legends of Greek Mythology and Natives Americans in this family-friendly show.

March 10

• “Astronomy and Boston in the American Revolution” (Astronomy Program)
• 8 p.m., CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• We’ve all studied and learned something about the “Boston Massacre,” the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere’s Ride, but did you know that there were some myths and misconceptions (even artwork) about each event that are astronomy related? Outdoor observing afterward, weather permitting.

March 11

• “Earth, Moon and Sun” [Children’s show] (Astronomy Program)
• 10 a.m., CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• Why do we have seasons? Why does the Moon appear during the daytime? Why does the sun always rise and set? Come learn about these and other astronomy concepts, some misconceptions and follow the zany antics of a crazy coyote as he tries to explain it all!

April 21

• “Reading the Night Sky like a Boy Scout” [two shows] (Astronomy Program)
• 7 p.m. first show and 8:30 p.m. second show, CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• Have you ever wondered how scouts can read the night sky, tell time and figure out where they are? Learn these skills at this show which qualifies for the Boy Scout astronomy merit badge.
• Practice and Outdoor observing after the second show weather permitting.

April 22

• “Space Bunny” [Children’s show] (Astronomy Program)
• 10 a.m., CCBC Catonsville, Math and Science Hall, Benjamin Banneker Planetarium
• Journey with a rabbit named Boynton and his friend Jocelyn as they take a trip into space.
• These monthly programs are free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.
• Planetarium shows for outside groups, including school groups, may be arranged. These are usually scheduled for weekday mornings. Interested groups should call 443-840-4560 or email Angie Black, the planetarium scheduler.

Image Via Pixabay