Bays Mountain Park debuts new planetarium show
Bays Mountain Park is excited to announce its latest planetarium show – Dark Side of Light – a fascinating exploration about the importance of preserving our night skies.
“Dark Side of Light” debuts September 1 and will be the main program through the end of the year. The 40-minute show will air at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
In “Dark Side of Light,” discover what light pollution is, how it affects our world and the simple steps we can take to protect our night skies.
For centuries, people have become accustomed to using artificial light after dark, treating it as a natural part of our lives. But it isn’t. Living organisms – including plants, animals, and humans – have adapted to the natural cycle of day and night for tens of millions of years.
“Our biological rhythms are closely tied to the rising and setting of the Sun each day. Disrupting this natural cycle with artificial light has serious consequences for our health, the environment, and the economy,” said Planetarium Director Jason Dorfman. “As artificial lighting continues to increase around the world, understanding its impacts has never been more important.”
“Dark Side of Light” concludes with a brief tour of the current night sky highlighting exactly how light pollution affects what we are able to see in the skies above. Visitors to Bays Mountain Park can also explore more about the effects of light pollution and ways to reduce it by visiting the “Light Pollution” section of the new Astronomy exhibit located in the gallery area around the planetarium.
The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through in September and October will be “Appalachian Skies.”
“Appalachian Skies” takes visitors on a majestic tour of the current evening sky using the Zeiss optical star projector. This live presentation is enhanced with additional content from our VELVET LED projectors for a wonderful, immersive experience.
Each presentation is guaranteed to be unique, due to the live nature of the program, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons. Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.
For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.
