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Media representatives are invited to experience the virtual night sky in an immersive fulldome digital video portable planetarium, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, when it visits local students next week.

Note: Because it is necessary to maintain a “night sky” level of darkness within the planetarium dome, flash photographs may be taken only before or after the planetarium program.

Mecklenburg County
Selwyn Elementary School
2840 Colony Road, Charlotte
Tuesday (April 10) — 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Wednesday (April 11) — 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Thursday (April 12) — 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon
In the multimedia planetarium show “Earth, Moon and Sun,” students explore the relationship between the planet they live on, the moon that orbits it and the star that provides it with light and heat. With reference to Native American stories and legends, this show helps students understand the movement and impact of Earth’s orbit.

The PLANETS (Portable Learning for All North Carolina’s Elementary Teachers and Students) Portable Planetarium Program is a science education outreach effort of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.

PLANETS delivers a traditional planetarium experience directly to elementary schools across North Carolina.  PLANETS planetarium shows and classroom activities are standards-based and interdisciplinary so teachers can take full advantage of this unique science experience.  The PLANETS dome stretches 20 feet in diameter and uses cutting-edge digital technology to reach students who may not otherwise encounter Morehead’s informal science education.

The PLANETS program was created in 2009 and receives support from N.C. Space Grant, with additional funding from the Chatham Foundation and the University of North Carolina Provost Office.

PLANETS website: www.moreheadplanetarium.org/go/PLANETS
Morehead media contact: Karen Kornegay, (919) 843-7952, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
News Services contact: Susan Hudson, (919) 962-8415, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it