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UCLA Planetarium

 

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight

  • Address: 405 Hilgard Ave., Mathematical Sciences building, room MS 8224 on the eighth floor [ map ]

    Cross Street: Westholme Ave.

    Neighborhood: West LA & S. Robertson

    Phone: (310) 825-4434

    Hours: Wed 7pm during fall, winter and spring quarters. Every second and fourth Wed 8pm during summer session.

    Type: Observatories

  • Cost: Free

    Parking: Structure two or structure nine

    Tips: From Structure 9, walk north on Westwood Plaza and take a right. You will see stairs that lead you to campus. From Structure 2, exit west and walk by the geology building. Take the sidewalk leading uphill to campus. Look for the building with domes on the roof.

  • > official website

We know how many times Britney has been married. We know where Angelina Jolie's tattoos are. We even know what Paris looks like having sex. But how much do we know about the other stars—you know, the ones in the sky?

On a recent visit, one UCLA student compared the planetarium to Disney World's Epcot Center, saying it was, "like, an educational ride." The one-hour show dedicates about 40 minutes to a factoid-laden sky show, then spends about 20 minutes on one specific topic. On clear nights after the sky show, visitors (who are usually UCLA students racking up extra-credit points for class) are invited to a telescope viewing. Stargazers can see Saturn, our moon, Jupiter and its moons through a 14-, 16- or 24-inch reflecting telescope. Free public planetarium shows and telescope viewings are held every Wednesday night; during the summer, the free shows are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Planetarium shows start promptly at 8pm, while telescope viewing begins at 9pm; if you're late, you will be locked out of the 50-seater planetarium, so allow at least a half hour for parking and finding the Mathematical Sciences building on campus. During the fall, winter and spring, both shows are scheduled an hour earlier. The planetarium also hosts school groups (free of charge) and corporate events (which require a small fee). Events can be booked at planet@astro.ucla.edu. Watch out, Space Mountain.—Mai Dinh
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