Planetarium shows ‘Venus Ascendant’ this weekend

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ANNIKA ZEIGLER | DAILY EVERGREEN ILLUSTRATION

2020 is a spectacular year for viewing Earth’s twin, the gemlike Venus. Bright in the evening sky all winter, Venus peaks with the greatest elongation of its orbit on March 24.

HAYDYN WALLENDER and MINDY MALONE

The WSU planetarium will show “Venus Ascendant” this weekend.

Showtimes are Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 at 5 p.m in Sloan Hall Room 231. The event is open to the public.

Tickets cost $5 and can be bought with either cash or check. The planetarium can fit 65 people, so planetarium director Guy Worthey recommends arriving early.

According to the planetarium website, “Venus Ascendant” will cover Venus’s exploration history, atmosphere and geology.

As director, Professor Worthey will be presenting this event as a friendly lecture with slides and sky views.

“It’s ‘infotainment,’” Worthey said. “Non-science backgrounds and kids are welcome.”

As a “galaxy person,” Worthey said he loves to explore and explain cosmology and astronomy to the public.

“My mission is to educate the public … a little bit about science,” Worthey said, “and so a little bit of logical thinking and a little bit of learning about the universe in which we live is helpful.”

The WSU planetarium hosts roughly one event every two weeks. These events are inspired by whatever presenter Jessica Jones and Worthey dream up, Worthey said.

More information can be found on the WSU Planetarium website.