FEBRUARY 2014 FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM PROGRAMMING
February 14-16, 2014
The Friends of the Planetarium organizes and hosts public programs for one weekend each month. We've chosen themes for each month, and all the activities or presentations for a given weekend will be related in some way to the chosen theme. The Friends of the Planetarium uses donations from the community to purchase digital full-dome programming to complement the library being developed by Arlington Public Schools. For a complete schedule, please visit http://friendsoftheplanetarium.org.
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The theme for February is twofold: Date Night at the Planetarium/Climate vs. Weather!
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Friday, February 14, 2014
“Date Night at the Planetarium” features a surprise Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3k) presentation! Come to the Planetarium to poke a little fun at a sort-of date-themed B-movie of the 1950’s. The cult classic MST3k series features a man and his robot sidekicks who are trapped on a satellite in space and forced to watch a selection of terrible movies, especially science fiction B-movies. The space travelers keep a running commentary going on during the film, making fun of its flaws and wisecracking their way through it in the style of a movie theater peanut gallery. Target audience 14 and up.
Rated TV14 for Language
Running time: 95 minutes
Doors Open: 6:15p.m. Show Begins: 6:30p.m.
Saturday February 15, 2014
Mars and Venus at the Planetarium
Screening of the digital program MarsQuest, followed by a short discussion of the planet Venus
Narrated by Patrick Stewart, MarsQuest provides a captivating scientific and historical exploration of the planet Mars. Produced in three acts, the program begins with a multicultural history of our understanding of the planet. Next, MarsQuest details the planet as we currently experience it, and the final act examines preparations for humans to live on Mars. MarsQuest will delight viewers of all ages, especially 5th grade and beyond. Loch Ness Productions. Planetarium Director Jonathan Harmon will follow this program with a discussion of Venus and its location in the sky over the winter months.
Running Time: 41 minutes (MarsQuest) + 20 minutes for discussion
Doors Open: 7:15p.m. Show Begins: 7:30p.m.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
1) Sunday Science Presentation: "Climate vs. Weather: What's the Difference?"
Featuring two local and amazing weather and climate experts: Bob Ryan, a 35-year veteran of national and Washington DC meteorology, and Jason Samenow, Weather Editor for the Washington Post, and Chief Meteorologist for the Capital Weather Gang.
This moderated talk will include an overview of the differences between climate and weather, with plenty of time for questions and answers.
Target audience ages 12 and up.
Running Time: 60 minutes
Doors Open: 1:15p.m. Talk Begins: 1:30p.m.
2) Screening of the digital program Magic Tree House® Space Mission
Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “-M.” The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. Magic Tree House® Space Mission is best suited for ages 5 to 12 and their families. Older children familiar with the book series may also enjoy the show.
Running Time: 35 minutes
Doors Open: 2:45 p.m. Show Begins: 3 p.m.
The David M. Brown Planetarium is located at 1426 N Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22207.
Admission for all programs is $3 for Children (up to age 12), $5 for Friends, Members, and Seniors (60+), and $7 for teens and adults.
Ticketing will be managed online at www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org and powered by eventbrite.com. Online ticketing will end two hours prior to each show, and any unreserved seats will be made available on a first come, first served basis 15 minutes prior to the doors opening. Further details and ticket reservations/sales are available at www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM
Founded in 2010 to save the Planetarium from being closed, Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that continues to raise funds to make the Planetarium even better, and to support Arlington Public Schools in providing enhanced science education in Arlington County. The Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium has an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Council. For more information about Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium, please visit www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org.
