Darth Vader, Capt. Kirk, Spock, Luke Skywalker, Yoda…

You could meet the strangest characters Sept. 22 when Clark Planetarium reaches out to galaxies far, far away and presents its annual fundraiser, entitled this year as the Distant Galaxy Gala.

“With guests encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite sci-fi characters, our 2011 gala could resemble one great, big reunion aboard the Enterprise” enthuses planetarium director Seth Jarvis, referring to iconic space vessel of the long-running Star Trek series. “The costumes judged the best just might win prizes that Scotty wouldn’t mind beaming up,” he grins.

The Distant Galaxy gala will be  Thursday, Sept. 22 starting 6:30 p.m. at the planetarium located in The Gateway, 110 South 400 West.  Activities will include special appearances by Alpine Garrison, a reception, silent auction, science demonstrations, dinner, the Led Zeppelin laser show in the Hansen Dome Theatre and Mystery Science Theatre 3000 in the ATK IMAX Theatre. Admission is $100 per person, $125 if purchased after September 11.  For full details see www.clarkplanetarium.org/gala.html or call 801-456-4970.

Clark Planetarium’s annual fundraising events help generate the funds necessary for the planetarium’s numerous community outreach programs that enlighten, entertain and educate the region’s teachers and school children about the importance of space science.

Jarvis explains, “Each year more than 80,000 Utah school children receive high quality astronomy and space science education series through the planetarium’s ‘AstroVan’ outreach program and in-house field trips.  Clark Planetarium relies on funds raised from our annual gala to bring children and teachers these valuable programs.”

Clark Planetarium’s mission is to create and present stimulating educational programs that effectively share astronomy and space exploration information with Salt Lake County residents, Utah students, educators and families and visitors from around the country and the world. For more information visit www.clarkplanetarium.org or follow Clark Planetarium on Twitter or Facebook.

This Friday, July 8, we will open our doors beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the broadcast of Atlantis’ final launch and a brief presentation by ATK. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 9:26 a.m. (MDT). In the event the launch is scrubbed, audience members will be shown a special screening of Hubble 3D.

Please note: This is a complimentary event with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Clark Planetarium will be hosting a series of events during the day and the Salt Lake Astronomical Society (SLAS) features a star party at the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex that evening.

Events start at 12:30 p.m. with $1 admission to any show in the Hansen Dome Theatre until 6:45 p.m. Discounted show tickets will be available at the ticket window on the day of the event.

Clark Planetarium’s education department, Salt Lake County Library Services, University of Utah Physics and Astronomy and SLAS will provide free hands on demonstrations and activities at the planetarium from 1 – 4 p.m. with a chance win a free telescope courtesy of Celestron.

Please see below for a complete schedule of Astronomy Day events.

Show Schedule:

12:30 p.m. Secret of the Cardboard Rocket ($1 admission)

1:30 p.m. Black Holes ($1 admission)

2:30 p.m. Violent Universe ($1 admission)

3:30 p.m. Ultimate Universe ($1 admission)

4:30 p.m. Guest Lecture on the WISE infrared telescope by John Elwell ($1 admission)

5:30 p.m. Saturn Jewel of the Heavens ($1 admission)

6:45 p.m. Gateway to the Stars presentation by Mike Murray ($1 admission)

Free Activities:

1 – 3 p.m. Solar viewing outside Clark Planetarium

1 – 4 p.m. Science demonstrations and activities at Clark Planetarium

9:00 p.m. Star parties at Stansbury Park Observatory Complex and University of Utah South Physics Observatory.

*NOTE: Star parties are weather permitting.

Members of UROC prepare for a rocket launch.

The event was a success and we are pleased to announce we will be hosting the event again this year on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Miller Motorsports Park from 5 – 10 p.m. If you’ve ever wanted to ride next to a professional race car driver or even race your own car, this event has the thrills of high speed, quick turns and rockets (yes, rockets).

Utah Rocket Club will be joining us again this year to showcase model, sport and amateur rocketry. After race activities and rocketry demonstrations, we will host a live auction featuring a Triumph Daytona 675 racing bike and accessories generously donated by BMW Motorcycles of Utah. Then, we will gather under the night sky for a star party on the clubhouse lawn.

We hope that you’ll join us for this unique event and help to fund our education programs for Utah schoolchildren. All proceeds from this event will help Clark Planetarium to provide over 75,000 students each year with hands on learning activities that help to foster a wonder for learning about space science.

Purchase a VIP ticket for your chance to ride in a Mustang with a professional race car driver.

All access VIP tickets for the event are $100 online and include admission to the park, dinner, access to the Larry H. Miller Total Performance Museum, model rocket demonstrations, an evening star party and one round of the following activities: Sim race, go-karting, Jeep ride, skid car and zipline.

General admission tickets are $30 online and include admission to the park, dinner, access to the museum, model rocket demonstrations and star party.

If you’re in the mood for even more thrill seeking, sign up for the “W.O.W” race for an additional $25 and race your own car on the race track.

*Event photos courtesy: Daniel Kovach

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the planetarium will transform into a place where wild creatures roam with help from our community partners: Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake County Animal Services and Salt Lake County Library Services. While on expedition, kids will be able to visit with animals, decorate their own pith helmet, participate in a fingerprint mural and make craft items to take home. The event runs from 1 – 3 p.m. and all safari activities are free.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

Your adventure won’t be complete without seeing the wonder captured by Born to be Wild in our ATK IMAX Theatre. Narrated by Academy-Award® winner Morgan Freeman, the show is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. Born to be Wild documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them – saving endangered species one life at a time.  Tickets for the show are $6 and $8 and can be purchased online. Members can see the show for free as part of their Clark Planetarium membership benefits.

EVE will run December 29, 30 and 31.  Tickets can be purchase in advance at participating Fresh Market and Maverik locations. Participants can ride TRAX to EVE for FREE courtesy of Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper.

EVE will run December 29, 30 and 31.  Tickets can be purchase in advance at participating Fresh Market and Maverik locations. Participants can ride TRAX to EVE for FREE courtesy of Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper.

Guests can get here by broomstick or car……or they can ride the Hogwarts Express (TRAX) to Station 9 ¾ (otherwise known to Muggles as the TRAX Planetarium Stop).  Once here, guests will step into Harry’s shoes and embark on a mystical journey filled with magic, scientific wonder and excitement.

Guest will be sorted into their respective houses using the powerful technology of our Science on a Sphere exhibit.  Guest will receive an acceptance letter and their house crest buttons.  From there, guest will be guided by their class schedule to an array of exciting activities.

Animal experts from Hogle Zoo and Living Planet Aquarium will be on hand for guest to get up close to and learn about some of their favorite magical creatures including owls, spiders, ferrets, birds and snakes.  Wizardry can be found around every corner as guests are mesmerized by fortune tellers and the talents of Century, the magician.  Learn the secrets behind some of the magical elements of Hogwarts with science demonstrations by our education team on air pressure, electricity and optical illusions.  And don’t forget to stop by our Hansen Dome Theatre for short presentations of some of our best Cosmic Light Shows.  Before you end the night, make sure you stop by Honeydukes for snacks made by the house-elves and don’t forget your photo booth souvenir.

Make sure you enter our costume contest for great prizes or enter for a chance to visit the new Wizardry World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  Tickets for our Harry Potter Premiere Party of $15.  Show tickets and Premiere Party tickets are sold separately.

Midnight screening tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated first part of the epic finale Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Be the first to purchase tickets for HP7 in Clark Planetarium’s newly remodeled ATK® IMAX Theatre. Don’t miss your chance to experience HP7 as part of the grand reopening of our state-of-the-art IMAX Theatre featureing brand new seating, screen, audio system and most importantly, new IMAX 3D digital projectors.

Also, be sure to purchase tickets for ourHP7 premiere partybeing held prior to the midnight showings on November 18^th 2010 from 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm (party tickets and movie tickets sold separately) . For our premiere party, Clark Planetarium will transform into the magical world of Harry Potter. Please join us for the activities, treats and an opportunity to EXPERIENCE and CELEBRATE all things Harry Potter.

·         Music

·         Sorting Ceremony

·         Costume Contest

·         Demonstrations from Clark Planetarium, Hogle Zoo and Living Planet Aquarium

·         Harry Potter treats

·         Trading Buttons

·         Cosmic Light Shows

·         Enter to win a trip to Orlando (No purchase necessary)

Don’t forget to visit Planet Fun Clark Planetarium Store for all of your Harry Potter merchandise.

KUED

Once your child has completed the marathon, they will be invited to a special Super Reader Party in January. This year,  Clark Planetarium will be partnering with Thanksgiving Point to feature hands-on activities, giveaways and learning opportunities in our booth.  Thousands of readers show up for the Super Reader party to win prizes, participate in activities and meet popular PBS characters.  This program is a great tool for encouraging healthy reading habits and Clark Planetarium is proud to be a partner again this year.

If you are interested in participating, visit  KUED’s website for additional information on kick off parties and the program.  Visit our Planet Fun Store in The Gateway at 110 S 400 W in Salt Lake City.