Celebrate the Moon Landing at Bays Mountain
Relive the excitement of the first-ever Moon landing in the year of its 50th anniversary by visiting Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium this summer. Bays Mountain Park welcomes two new shows to its planetarium theater beginning this week and will celebrate Astronomy Day on May 11.
“First & Farthest,” the main feature, begins April 30 and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. “First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth,” said President John F. Kennedy to Congress on May 25, 1961. This show covers the Space Race and the Apollo program that would make that goal a reality on July 20, 1969. The show runs approximately 35 minutes and will play through the end of August.
The alternate show for May and June will be “Appalachian Skies – Spring.” This live presentation is about the current spring night sky. Learn what fascinating constellations and planets you might be able to see from your own backyard. This program highlights the spectacular Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector instrument, which generates a fiber-optic star field that’s stunning to see. The show runs approximately 35 minutes.
Quick guide to Bays Mountain’s Planetarium
Main Show – In May: Tuesday-Friday at 4 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday at 1, 3, and 4 p.m.
In June: every day at 1 and 4 p.m. | additional show at 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Alternate Show – In May: Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.
In June: every day at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for non-members, free for members and children under 6
To learn more about Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium or to view a trailer for “First & Farthest,” visit baysmountain.com