RVCC Planetarium Slates Black History Month, Valentine’s Day Offerings, New Show on Space Exploration

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg will present a number of special offerings in February, including shows in honor of Black History Month; Valentine’s Day programs focusing on love; and a new selection, To Space and Back, that features narration captions projected onto the theater’s dome.

Some highlights of the Planetarium’s February schedule include:

Our Lovely Skies, Saturdays, February 1 & 8, 7 p.m.

Constellations memorialize love lost and love gained. Planets are named for Roman and Greek gods who have stories of their own. Beautiful stellar nebulas remind us of celestial flower bouquets. Discover these treasures and more in this light-hearted, family-friendly show about the love stories in the sky. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

Laser Love, Saturdays, February 1 & 8, 8 p.m.; Friday, February 14, 8 p.m.

This laser concert celebrating love includes such tunes as “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher, and “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast. (Saturday shows are recommended for ages 10-adult; the Friday evening, Valentine’s Day performance is for audiences ages 16-adult only)

Romancing the Stars, Friday, February 14, 7 p.m.

It’s date night at the Planetarium. Enjoy a light-hearted look at the Universe with a show focusing on stars, constellations, songs, and stories that all celebrate love. (For audiences ages 16-adult only)

Follow the Drinking Gourd, Saturdays, February 15 & 22, 3 p.m.

Learn to find the Big Dipper and other stars in the night sky. Then, we’ll go back in time to follow a family trying to escape oppression. The Big Dipper guides the family through a frightful but rewarding voyage. Sing along with the slaves who used the Drinking Gourd song to travel north on foot from Alabama to Canada. Based on Jeanette Winter’s same-titled book, the show describes the astronomy behind the slave song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Exploring the Underground Railroad with Codes, Saturdays, February 15 & 22, 3-5 p.m.

This special Planetarium program will feature free, hands-on activities inspired by codes found in quilt squares and the song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Participants will learn about astronomy and the Underground Railroad, a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery. Participants also may view displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

To Space and Back, Saturdays, February 15 & 22, 7 p.m.

To Space and Back, a new show at the Planetarium, takes viewers on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe and back to Earth. The technology that transports people through space is paving the way for the devices and apps used every day. What’s happening above and beyond is coming back down to Earth. The two presentations of this star show will include narration captions projected onto the Planetarium dome. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

View the show’s trailer: https://tinyurl.com/56r7ak7v

For a complete schedule of RVCC Planetarium star shows and laser concerts open to the public this winter, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows.

Last fall, the Planetarium installed new computers, video projectors, and audio speakers that provide audiences with an exciting, immersive experience. The new system offers brighter, clearer images and sharper sound quality, as well as an enhanced ability to “fly” through the Universe. The upgrade was funded through the RVCC Foundation by a generous RVCC supporter.

Planetarium tickets cost $11 for one show, $20 for two shows back-to-back on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show. Late admission to Planetarium shows is not permitted. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. For additional information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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