The fourth series of Stargazing Live starts tonight (Tuesday, January 7) at 8pm. Starring Professor Brian Cox and Dara O’Briain, the series has sparked an interest in astronomy. While there are Dark Sky Parks in the UK and Europe, Maryland on the East Coast of the USA could satisfy celestial cravings. Maryland is home to 10 planetariums including the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute, the operations centre for the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (scheduled to be launched in 2018 on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland). Here are 8 places in the state where you can get closer to the stars and the planets:
1) The William Brish Planetarium Hagerstown
The William Brish Planetarium at the Washington County Planetarium and Space Science Center, hosts a series of events which visitors may attend. Shows are twice a month and are generally held on the first and fourth Tuesday of the month between 5.30pm and 8pm. The fun and interactive events include a Telescope Clinic and Cowboy Astronomer-themed seminars. Attendance costs $3 per adult and $2 per child. Call in advance to check weather schedules on 001 301 766 2898 (from the UK) or 301 766 2898 (from the US).
2) Montgomery College Planetarium, Takoma Park
Monthly public planetarium shows are held at Montgomery College Planetarium, and are free to attend. 2014 event highlights include Mayan Calendars, African Skies and Falling into a Black Hole, but a full schedule of the fascinating events can be found here: montgomerycollege.edu.
3) Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
Visitors can identify stars, constellations, planets, and other wonders in the night sky as it changes with the calendar at this informal live presentation. The Sky Live is an introduction to the night’s sky, where visitors will learn about the phases of the moon, which planets are visible, and what constellations to look for after dark. Visitors are encouraged to take home a Star Map with them to practice their stargazing skills at home.
The event is held on Mondays, Tuesday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at various times. On Friday nights, the whole family can enjoy a night under the stars. The Science Center opens the observatory doors every Friday night from 7pm to 10:30pm.
4) Bear Branch Recreation Park, Westminster
Bear Branch Nature Center in Bear Branch Recreation Park in Westminster is home to a 40-seat planetarium offering three stationary telescopes. The facility is open to the public and it’s free of charge.
5) St. John’s College Observatory and Planetarium, Annapolis
This planetarium holds regular informal stargazing sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings. These astronomical events are open to the public and visitors are encouraged to contact the planetarium in advance to check the event schedule by calling +44 410 626 2888 or emailing stars@sjca.edu.
6) K. Price Bryan Planetarium at Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore
A new Digitarium Alpha 2 projector offers the latest in stargazing technology. Sitting inside the 20-foot dome, visitors can zoom in on planets and see constellations through the eyes of diverse ancient and modern cultures. The planetarium is open to the public, but call in advance to make an appointment – (001) 410 435 0100.
7) Howard B. Owens Science Center, Lanham
Visitors are able to visit Maryland’s largest planetarium dome at the Howard B.Owens Science Center and explore the wonders of stargazing through a variety of programmes offered on the second Friday of every month (September to May). There are Family Science Nights, Skywatchers of Africa, Night of the Fireflies, and other special events including guest speakers on Astronomy Day (May 10). The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for teachers / seniors / students and children under 3 are free.
8) Watson-King Planetarium, Towson
The Watson-King Planetarium at Towson University invites guests from all over the world to enjoy one of its Planet Shows on the third Friday of every month. Each of the shows is themed and past shows includes What Was the Winter Star, An Intergalactic Tour, When Galaxies Collide, Heroes of the Skies and the Galaxies of Summer, all of which include telescope viewing, weather permitting. Attendance is free but visitors should contact Dr Alex Storrs in advance on (001) 410 704 3003.
(Featured image: geckzilla)
