Unveiling the Invisible Universe

Humans have long observed light coming from the night sky, and the invention of the telescope revolutionized our knowledge of the universe. Rockets allow us to go above Earth’s atmosphere and observe x-ray and gamma radiation which are marks of the hot and violent universe. Aside from light, neutrinos and cosmic rays also provide vital information about the cosmos. Finally, the detection of gravitational waves from two merging black holes opened a new window in astrophysics. This video presents images of the cosmos as revealed by all these different messengers.

Admission is $8 for adults or $7 for Parkland students, seniors 65 and older, or children 12 and under. Passes may be purchased at tickets.parkland.edu or in the lobby beginning a half-hour before the first show. Members of the Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium are admitted for free. The full show schedule is at planetarium.parkland.edu.

There will be no shows the weekend before Memorial Day, May 23 and 24.

You may also like the following events from William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College:

• This Friday, 16th May, 07:00 pm, Spring Prairie Skies in Champaign
• This Saturday, 17th May, 01:00 pm, Coyote Explores the Earth, Moon, and Sun in Champaign
• Next month, 3rd June, 01:00 pm, One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure in Champaign