Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado at Boulder will present a series of live astronomy shows during the fall semester on topics ranging from black holes to star and constellation myths.
CU astronomers will present visually stimulating glimpses of astronomy to adults and children age 12 and over through multimedia shows.
Sommers-Bausch Observatory, adjacent to the planetarium, will be open for public observation following the program, weather permitting.
Following is a list of star talks scheduled for this fall:
* Professor Andrew Hamilton, "Black Holes and Relativity," Friday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Learn about some of the strange predictions of Einstein聮s theory of relativity, including one prediction that Einstein himself did not believe -- that black holes exist. See the astronomical evidence, including Hubble Space Telescope pictures, that black holes do exist, from stellar-sized black holes to gigantic black holes at the centers of quasars. Experience what it would look like to fall into a black hole.
* Professor Erica Ellingson, "Galaxies at the Edge of the Universe," Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
See what the sky would look like if Earthlings could see beyond the stars to the billions of galaxies that populate the universe. Take a trip beginning with the Milky Way through the local group of galaxies and the local supercluster, extending to the outer reaches of the observable universe.
The presentation also reveals the role of galaxies in the structure of the universe.
* Professor John Stocke, "Navajo Skies," Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Examine traditional American Indian star and constellation myths, including the Navajo story for the creation of the stars.
* Professor John Bally, "Secret Origins of Planetary Systems," Friday Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Examine theories of the formation of the solar system and evidence of planetary systems forming elsewhere in the galaxy. Learn about the birth of the stars, the formation of the planets and the origin of Earth's solar system.
Participants will see the latest ground-based telescope and Hubble Space Telescope images of proto-planetary systems forming in Orion and spectacular jets of gas that young stars produce during their birth.
Fiske Planetarium is located at Regent Drive and Kittredge Loop Drive on the CU-Boulder campus. Free visitor parking is available after 5 p.m. at the meters along Regent Drive, or in metered lots 306 and 330 off Regent Drive.
Admission to the programs is $3.50 for adults and $2 for children and senior citizens.
For information about the programs at Fiske Planetarium, call 492-5001 for a recorded announcement or 492-5002 to speak to the planetarium staff. The public also is invited to visit the planetarium's web site at .