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Media representatives are invited to experience the virtual night sky in North Carolina's first fulldome digital video portable planetarium, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, when it visits local students next week.

Media representatives are invited to experience the virtual night sky in North Carolina's first fulldome digital video portable planetarium, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, when it visits local students next week.

Note:  Because it is necessary to maintain a “night sky” level of darkness within the planetarium dome, flash photographs may be taken only before or after the planetarium program.

Craven County
W. J. Gurganus Elementary School
535 U.S. Hwy. 70 West, Havelock
Tuesday (May 10)
9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. — "Earth, Moon and Sun"

Forsyth County
Brunson Elementary School
155 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem
Thursday (May 12)
9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. — "Earth, Moon and Sun"
Noon and 1 p.m. — "Astronaut"

In the multimedia planetarium show "Earth, Moon and Sun," students explore the relationship between the planet they live on, the moon that orbits it and the star that provides it with light and heat. With reference to Native American stories and legends, this show helps students understand the movement and impact of Earth’s orbit.

In the multimedia planetarium show "Astronaut," students experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut and explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body.

The PLANETS (Portable Learning for All North Carolina’s Elementary Teachers and Students) Portable Planetarium Program is a science education outreach effort of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.

PLANETS delivers a traditional planetarium experience directly to elementary schools across North Carolina. PLANETS planetarium shows and classroom activities are standards-based and interdisciplinary so teachers can take full advantage of this unique science experience. The PLANETS dome stretches 20 feet in diameter and uses cutting-edge digital technology to reach students who may not otherwise encounter Morehead’s informal science education.

The PLANETS program was created in 2009 and receives support from N.C. Space Grant, with additional funding from the Chatham Foundation and the University of North Carolina Provost Office.

PLANETS website: www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=PLANETS_overview.html
PLANETS media contact: Karen Kornegay, (919) 843-7952, kck@unc.edu
News Services contact: Susan Houston, (919) 962-8415, susan_houston@unc.edu

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