Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and Melbourne romantics are now able to purchase their loved ones a gift with a difference – an evening of stargazing, wine, cheese and good company at Discover the Night Sky.
The Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks will be running its popular astronomy sessions every Thursday evening in March, and bookings for Discover the Night Sky will be open this coming Valentine’s Day, 14 February.
“Discover the Night Sky has been a fantastic program for audiences because it’s unique, friendly – and sometimes even romantic,” said Dr Tanya Hill, Curator of Astronomy.
“The Melbourne Planetarium has been featured on a number of dating blogs as a perfect location for a truly unique date, and after-dark programs such as Discover the Night Sky and Fulldome Fridays, which is currently running, have great appeal for adult audiences.
“A visit to the Planetarium is something unique and a bit special, whether you are with friends, a potential new romance or the love of your life.”
During the month of March there will be five astronomy sessions, each including a complimentary glass of wine, cheese and the opportunity to chat to the Planetarium’s Astronomer, Dr. Tanya Hill in person. The evening will finish with stargazing through telescopes (weather permitting).
Thursday March 3 – Backyard Astronomy: It’s not just stars you can see in the night sky – planets, comets, shooting stars and satellites are all there if you know when and where to look. Navigate by the stars and discover how you can become a backyard astronomer.
Thursday March 10 – Travel the Universe: We invite you on a tour of the Universe that will take you to the far reaches of space. You know the Universe is big, really big, but nothing can compare with the experience of seeing it for yourself.
Thursday March 17 – The Solar System: Journey through the Earth’s local neighbourhood – our Solar System. It is a system of planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids and comets, bound by the pull of the Sun. Marvel at the beauty of each unique world and the stories they tell.
Thursday March 24 – The Milky Way Galaxy: We are just one planet, orbiting one star, among the 400 billion stars of our Milky Way Galaxy. It is truly magnificent; a swirling mass of stars, gas and dust. But what do we know of our home galaxy? And how did we come to discover it?
Thursday March 31 – Dark Energy: Only a tiny fraction, just 4% of the Universe is made of the stuff we know – the atoms that make us and everything around us. The rest we call dark matter and dark energy. What are these two enigmas and why must they exist?
Discover the Nights Sky
Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood
Session times: Commence 7.30pm.
Cost: $26 per person, MV members $21, Season pass $115.
Bookings essential: Call 03 9392 4819 Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm
For more information visit http://museumvictoria.com.au/planetarium/