The Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College offers programs for all ages in October, including Halloween shows, star shows, laser shows, and a Harry Potter-themed sky tour.
The following shows will be presented at the Branchburg Planetarium:
Accidental Astronauts, Saturdays, October 1 and 8, 3 p.m.
Robot-kids Cy, Annie and their dog, Armstrong, “get a lot more than they expected from their school trip on an impromptu adventure. Journey exploring the Sun, Earth, and Moon with a witty ship computer as your navigator and guide. Race across the surface of the Moon. Collect an asteroid sample in low gravity. Survive a solar storm. (Recommended for ages 4-10)
Laser Kids concertSaturdays, Oct. 1 and 8, 4 p.m.
Sing along to an updated playlist as lasers “dance” above the dome. Songs include “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “Can’t Stop This Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. (Recommended for ages 6-12)
The sky above (sensory)Saturday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m.
This sensory spectacle of astronomy and music, lasting approximately 45 minutes, is specially designed for families with children on the autism spectrum or those with intellectual disabilities. Neurotypical children are also welcome. The program, which is presented at the kindergarten level, is suitable for audiences of all ages. During the show, the doors will remain open so that children can freely exit and return if they wish. The lights will stay dim (instead of dark) and the sound will be lowered and held at a constant level. The show will include music, laser lights, stories and information about the planets, Moon and constellations.
Astronomy tonightSaturday, October 1, 7 p.m.
Using the Planetarium’s DigitalSky digital theater, “experience a guided tour of the night sky. Learn about some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, and the stories behind them. Find out how and where in the sky to find the brightest planets. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8-adult)
Classic Rock Laser ConcertSaturdays, Oct. 1 and 8, 8 p.m.
Featuring songs like BTO’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”, Meatloaf’s “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” and Rush’s “Tom Sawyer”.
meditation at sunsetFriday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
“How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes and business leaders cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the Planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation.Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats of the RVCC Planetarium.Watch a beautiful sunset as you travel virtually from the Grand Canyon at the North Pole.Then relax under a star-filled night sky and glimpses of the Northern Lights.(Recommended for ages 10-adult)
Out There: A Quest for Extraterrestrial LifeSaturday, October 8, 7 p.m.
“For thousands of years we thought we were the center of the Universe. Since then, science has taught us an amazing amount about our cosmos. But before we even knew our Sun was only one of many ordinary stars, people began to wonder if we were alone in the Universe. It’s not a question of whether life exists elsewhere, but where we should look and how we will find it there. low.(Recommended for ages 10-adult)
Hogwarts skySaturday October 15, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Join our eclectic group of witches and wizards as they lead you through a ‘Harry Potter’ themed tour of the night sky. Find out how JK Rowling used astronomy as inspiration for some of the names of its characters.(Recommended for ages 8 and up)
Fright Light Laser Concert (family version), Saturdays October 15, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and October 22 & 29, 4 p.m.
“Witches and ghouls continue to haunt the Planetarium. They are especially fond of our laser songs, including “The Adams Family Theme Song”, “Monster Mash”, and “Ghostbusters”.
scary light (PG-13), Saturdays, October 22 and 29, 8 p.m.
This show is not recommended for young viewers or those who are easily scared!” The laser concert includes tracks such as “Alive” by Meatloaf, “Thriller” by Michael Jackson and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band (Recommended for ages 13-adult)
Halloween: celestial originsSaturdays October 22 and 29, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“What do you associate with Halloween?” Trick-or-treating, disguises… astronomy? After all, Halloween is an astronomical holiday! Learn the history of Halloween and how it fits into the seasons as a “transversal day” during this new production. We will also explore the night sky and learn which planets, constellations and stars will be visible on Halloween. (Recommended for ages 8-adult)
Planetarium tickets are $10 for one show, $18 for two consecutive shows on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are 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. For more information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.
RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg.
Submitted by RVCC
