PLANETARIUM >> IYA2009

The International Year of Astronomy

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first astronomical observation through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. The International Year of Astronomy is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, with a strong emphasis on education, public engagement and the involvement of young people. The Irene W. Pennington Planetarium is a proud participant in the International Year of Astronomy and will be celebrating with a variety of special events throughout the year.

Cox Communications is the exclusive media sponsor of all IYA2009 events at LASM.

IYA2009 Events at LASM

All IYA2009 special events have now concluded. The museum is geared up for the holidays, so stop by for great shopping in The Museum Store as well as IYA2009 related programming in the planetarium and art galleries.

IYA2009 Exhibitions and Shows at LASM

Josh Simpson, Corona Platter (detail), 2009, glass. Photograph by Tim Ryan Smith

Starry Messenger: Galileo’s Vision in 21st Century Art
September 26 - December 13, 2009

Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy, the artwork of contemporary artists who are inspired by astronomy is accompanied by reproductions of Galileo’s drawings and text panels describing his accomplishments. In 1609, when Galileo first turned his telescope to the heavens, he revolutionized humanity’s understanding of its place in the cosmos. His training in the fine arts enhanced his analysis of what he saw and his ability to convey it. Just as Galileo’s observations inspired artists of his own time, these works in a variety of media demonstrate the continuing allure that the cosmos holds for today’s artists.

The artists represented include: Vija Celmins; Thierry W. Despont; Elen A. Feinberg; Jonathon Feldschuh; Eva Lee; Carol Prusa; Josh Simpson; and Sallie Wolf. Organized by LASM.

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Exploring the Universe: Probing the Heavens with Galileo
July 1 - November 25

Galileo Galilei was the first person known to point a telescope skyward and observe the moon, sun, planets, and stars. What would Galileo tell us about the universe if he lived today? This new full-dome digital sky show lets Galileo himself explain what the universe was like during his lifetime in the 17th century and then takes the audience on a trip into the depth of the cosmos.

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Observing the Universe - Past, Present & Future
March 24 - December 31

Viewing the Universe: Past, Present, and Future details the evolution of the most important tool in astronomical research, the telescope. From Galileo's modest instrument to the latest orbiting telescopes, all have played a key role in our understanding of the distant celestial bodies around us. The exhibition includes replicas of Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton's telescopes, instructional diagrams, and detailed imagery captured by a variety of telescopes throughout history.

levee

Celestial Images: Four Hundred Years of Mapping the Heavens
April 28 - June 29

This exhibition of historical celestial maps ranging from the 16th through the 19th centuries tells of the golden age and waning years of an art form that successfully married art and science. In 1515, the German artist Albrecht Durer produced what is believed to be the first printed star map. His renderings of constellation figures set the standard for European celestial mapmaking over the next three centuries, and the new printing press gave the maps wide distribution.

Throughout the Renaissance, celestial maps were popular for their artistic beauty as well as their scientific value. But, by the late 1700's, advances in scientific instruments began making them obsolete. However, these early, grandly illustrated maps possess a visual appeal that enhances our perspective on the daily life of our ancestors and how they saw their place in the universe.

The works in this exhibition have been generously made available to LASM by an anonymous owner.