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Show Ponder the Mysteries of the r .a" -n -- - - a- i - , 1 1 niaamaHi in i ihm in a To further reassure the public, Utah's Hansen Planetarium composed a special Star Show entitled "Planets of Doom." which effectively explains the shortcomings of the Gribb'n Placeman theory. The show, produced in the planetarium's own special production department, has been distributed to 170 other planctariums and not only does it put the Jupiter Effect to rest, it also brings up some other interesting theories theor-ies about the future of our galaxy. To be honest, it has been quite awhile since we looked beyond next week and the possibilities of a trip to Southern Utah to contemplate contem-plate the state of our planet billions of years from now. Adding up light years and unraveling trends which have taken hundreds of centuries to establish, however, how-ever, are routine considerations considera-tions for Dr. Mark Littmann, Director of the Hansen Planetarium and his staff. For instance, the authors of "Planets of Doom" (Director Littmann and Astrovan teacher teac-her Seth Jarvis) explain that our moon is drifting farther away causing our planet to seems like something la look forward to. Indeed. after studying z. the armies at'.i sre:vdlr.j a great c-.J f rir-2 cor.tern-piating cor.tern-piating re future of tne universe. Dr. Lutntann feeis quite optimistic. ""Yes." be says, "I beiieve there is extraterrestrial life ir great abundance." He subscribes toO'Niel's "Hopeful View of Humanity's Futisre," which suggests that either there is no other life in the universe, in which case, it is a!I man's to explore, or the other beings have chosen to wait until earth contacts them, which indicates they are benevolent creatures. Littmann Litt-mann refers to it as "the galactic fraternity." As to the future of our particular planet, he suggests that with the establishment of space colonies, there will come a time when man becomes independent of earth, able to draw upon resources across the universe. Adopting Littmann's perspective, per-spective, which pervades the planetarium, it is comforting comfort-ing to set mundane worries aside and to spend a few hours wandering through the planetarium's exhibits, attending at-tending a star show and contemplating the universe at large. Thousands of Utah's students stu-dents are invited to do just that by visiting the Hansen Planetarium free of charge. Scout troops and other organizations may make Not only will there be life after the Jupiter Effect, but Planetarium Director Mark Littmann believes humanity's future is very bright. In time, he says, space colonies will eliminate man's dependence on earth's resources. rotate more slowly. Eventually, Eventu-ally, (remember we are talking about eons not weeks), the moon will begin to move toward the earth again until one day it will shatter against our atmosphere atmos-phere and earth will have rings instead of a moon. Watching a simulation of this event on the 50 dome of the planetarium's star theater, it WHHMiiil'll.H'. . -:mrTT 1- mi i i in y. I i 1 4 I I f( . - " " - j i i '1 . . ' i . a - - V? a I i I "VW j ' " ' v ' - t " 1 3T: " . ' ' ' ' This star projector converts the planetarium's 50' dome into a small universe. Star Show times are 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $2.50, adults; $2, students and Senior Citizens, and $1.50, children under 12 years. The Clio Awards are also showing now through June 6 following the 8 p.m. Star Show Monday-Saturday and after the 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. shows Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 537-7007. Educational exhibits fascinate more than 4,500 visitors per year. The Hansen Planetarium ranks first in per capita attendance at-tendance in the U.S. |