And we’re very excited. This event is the first of it’s kind for Clark Planetarium. Not only are we heading to an offsite location that will allow us to experience the science of speed at the racetrack, this event has activities the entire family can enjoy together. Hint: Tickets to Racing to the Stars would also be a fantastic gift for Dad this Father’s Day…especially if he is into fast cars!

To help give our readers an idea of what to expect that day, here’s a snapshot of what you can do at Racing to the Stars:

Larry H. Miller Total Performance Auto Museum: This auto museum contains part of Larry Miller’s world-renowned collections of automobiles as well as artwork and memorabilia related to the legendary American racer, Carroll Shelby. Entrance to the museum is available to both the General and VIP ticket holders.

Larry H. Miller Total Performance Museum

Go-Karting: Miller Motorsports Park features one of the fastest tracks in the nation. Test your kart driving skills against others as you zip around the track. Go-karting is included in the VIP ticket price, but is available as an upgrade to General Admission.

Go-Karting at Miller Motorsports Park

Sim-Race: Climb into the seat of this Mustang with a professional driver and prepare for the ride of your life! Two cars with professional drivers simulate a race around the track for this heart-pounding experience. Sim-races are included in VIP tickets, but are available as an upgrade to General Admission.

Simulated racing in Mustangs on the track

Live Auction: At the end of the evening, a silent auction will feature an incredible BMW S1000 RR racing bike and accessories  (courtesy of BMW motorcycles of Utah) and a one-of-a-kind experience to see the Space Shuttle Discovery from the VIP area at Kennedy Space Center in September (courtesy of ATK).

In addition to the activities listed above, dinner will be served to all participants and the Utah Rocket Club will be on site to do some demonstrations with large-scale model rockets. VIP ticket holders also have access to the Pit Crew Challenge, Jeep ride and Skid Car event. At the end of the evening Clark Planetarium education staff will have a series of telescopes set up for viewing the moon, Mars, Saturn and the M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules.

Tickets for Racing to the Stars are available on Clark Planetarium’s website. General admission pricing is $30 and all access VIP tickets are $100. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the planetarium’s education programs that service 75,000 Utah children each year.

We hope to see you there!

Mars is at its brightest during its opposition in late January.

The planets are also putting on a good show for us over the next few months.  Mars is almost exactly opposite the sun in the sky, meaning that it is at its brightest.  Mars is the reddish star just to the east of Orion.  Saturn is also visible low in the eastern sky late in the evenings.  The rings are still pointing mostly towards us, but are visible as a thin band around the planet.  If you are an early riser, you can find Saturn in the western sky.  Unfortunately, the other visible planets (Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter) are all near the Sun for the next few months, with Jupiter only moving far enough away to be seen as we get into Spring.

We know it is still cold, but that makes the air crisp and steady which helps for nighttime viewing.  The evenings get darker soon, and many times, it is dark out when we are getting home from work or school.  So take a few minutes to look up and enjoy the beautiful skies of winter.

Download the Spring 2009 Newsletter (PDF)

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Download the Winter 2009 Newsletter (PDF)

Download the Fall 2009 Newsletter (PDF)