FUN WITH SPACE AT MHCC’S PLANETARIUM

On campus, there are many amazing and useful resources available to you as students that the Advocate works to bring to your attention. And one of those is MHCC’s very own planetarium.

A few Fridays ago, the Planetarium Sky Theater hosted a beautiful show here. Walking into the theater, inside Room 1304 on the lower level of the Main Mall, you immediately notice the ceiling, shaped like a dome, the ceiling showing myriad constellations on it, from Capricornus, to Hercules, and Sagittarius. As the lights dim and you sit back in your seat, Planetarium Director and Astronomy instructor Pat Hanrahan walks forward to begin the show.

The theme for this show was “Exploring The Autumn Sky.” Hanrahan explored a variety of different topics, pointing out where you could find the planets and when they would be visible, tracing constellations so that you could gain a basic understanding of the night’s sky. He discussed the space missions that the U.S. has sent into the sky, and much more.

By the time the show – and any MHCC planetarium show – is over, you will find yourself wishing it could have continued for another hour, just so you can see more of the beautiful night sky that people have enjoyed and dreamed about since the creation of mankind.

We were happy to find out that while the first planetarium viewing that Friday had a few seats open, the second show was packed to the brim, as people spilled out onto the walkways outside the building.

The next shows are coming on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and Friday, Nov. 8. Hanrahan will be showing photos of the night sky taken by amateur astronomers, pictures he says are sure to amaze visitors.

Make sure to check out this, or another of the monthly planetarium shows. Cost is $2 for students with Mt. Hood ID, and children age 17 and under;  $5 for other adults. You won’t regret it.