Written by: Khiry Clements
The VSU Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences hosted four public showings at the planetarium in Nevins Hall beginning at 7 p.m. last Friday.
This year the planetarium is celebrating 50 years of Quasars.
Each show began with a telescopic view of the Valdosta night sky. The show gave detail as to how the star formations came about, where they got their names from and insight on the future of them.
The shows were facilitated by Kenneth Rumstay, a professor of astronomy and director of the VSU planetarium and observatory.
The VSU planetarium provides the largest science outreach program in South Georgia.
The event was originally scheduled for three showings, but a fourth showing was held due to the large turnout of 190 people.
With a crowd ranging from age 5 and up, the event proved to be entertaining and informative for the whole family.
“Our public shows are really intended for the local community rather than for VSU students or faculty,” Rumstay said. “Having said that, members of the VSU community constitute a large fraction of our audience.”
Once the shows were over, attendees were given the opportunity to go to the VSU observatory for a public viewing.