ʻImiloa Introduces New 3D Evening Program '3D Hitchhikers Exploration of the Universe'

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
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Posted: Feb 14, 2008

'Imiloa Astronomy Center , a part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, introduces a new evening planetarium program, "A 3D Hitchhikers Exploration of the Universe," which will utilize the new 3D stereoscopic projection system recently installed in the ʻImiloa planetarium.

Shawn Laatsch, ʻImiloa's planetarium manager, will host the new evening presentation and he will "fly" participants out into space on a unique and engaging tour through the Universe.

The new weekly evening program debuts on Thursday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m and will be offered weekly on Thursday nights through the end of March. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the Center's popular Science on a Sphere exhibit and the ʻImiloa Museum Store will be open. The exhibit hall will not be open to the public but the Sky Garden Restaurant at ʻImiloa will be openfor dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. for these Thursday evening programs.

Laatsch will take the audience to our local planets and their moon systems, land on Mars, and zip through the rings of Saturn. There will be opportunities to visit other star systems with planets, and go far beyond to star clusters and other areas of our Milky Way galaxy. Traveling beyond the Milky Way, the journey will continue into inter-galactic space exploringour local group of galaxies, the Virgo cluster of galaxies, and to the farthest extent that our astronomical instruments are able to show us. Viewers will take a virtual 3D flight through the cosmos in a new and exciting way and feel as if they are "jumping off the Earth" as they voyage through time and space.

"We have had such success with the 'Dawn of the Space Age' dailyshow and audiences have been awed by the new 3D capability. Our new program is meant to highlight our planetarium's 3D capability as well as entertain our audience with imagery that can be seen only in Hilo," says Laatsch.

The "3D Hitchhikers Exploration of the Universe" live planetariumprogram will be presented in ʻImiloa Astronomy Center's 120-seat planetarium at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for advance sale tickets and $10 on the day of the program. Advance sale tickets are available at the ʻImiloa front desk or by phone, 808 969-9704; Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Opened in 2006, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center celebrates both Hawaiian culture and Mauna Kea astronomy. Through its exhibits and program, ʻImiloa strives to share inspiring examples of science and culture together advancing knowledge, understanding and opportunity. The Center is a part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i is located at 600 'Imiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo Streets at the UH-Hilo Science and Technology Park. For more information, go to www.imiloahawaii.org, or call (808) 969-9700.