OCC Planetarium to Host Holiday Shows

The Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College will host a number of holiday and special events in the coming weeks.

"Season of Light" will be the planetarium's main holiday show this year. This traditional holiday presentation explores some cultural festivals filled with light and cheer and takes a closer look at the most famous mystery of the season . . . the star of wonder.  Also, learn about the season’s constellations and visible planets in our current night sky. 

Show Dates: 2:30 p.m.: Fri, Nov. 29; Dec. 27 – Sat, Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan. 4 – Tues, Dec. 24, 31 – Thurs, Dec. 26 – Mon, Dec. 30.  //  8:30 p.m.: Sat, Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan. 4 – Fri, Dec. 27.

"Laser Holidays" will feature Christmas music favorites like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," modern hits such as "Jingle Bell Rock" and unique renditions of timeless songs. "Laser Holidays" is a fun experience for everyone and gives new meaning to the term "holiday lights" - holiday LASER lights! 

Show Dates: 11:30 a.m.: Tues, Dec 24 – Thurs, Dec 26.  //  4:00 p.m.: Fri, Nov 29; Dec 27 – Sat, Dec 21, 28; Jan 4 – Tues, Dec 24, 31 – Thurs, Dec 26 – Mon, Dec 30.  //  5:30 p.m.: Sat, Nov 30; Dec 7, 14.  //  8:30 p.m.: Fri, Nov 29; Dec 6, 13, 20; Jan 3.  //  9:45 p.m.: Sat, Dec 21, 28 – Fri, Dec 27.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure: Join Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from China.  They will take children on a journey of discovery and imagination to learn about the sun, the earth, the moon and even bright stars, such as the North Star.  We will kick off the presentation with our live presenter giving a brief tour of the night sky over New Jersey so children can learn where to look for some of the constellations and visible planets of the season. 

Show Dates: 11:30 a.m. on Fri, Nov 29; Dec 27 – Sat, Nov 30; Dec 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb 1 – Mon, Dec 30 – Tues, Dec 31.

Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket: Join two adventurous children as they use their imaginations, a refrigerator box, and a helpful animated astronomy book to take a tour of the solar system.  Travel with them to the planets and learn why each one of them is unique to the other. Before your journey, our live presenter will provide a brief tour of the night sky over New Jersey so children can learn where to look for some of the constellations and visible planets of the season. 

Show Dates: 5:30 p.m.: Sat, Dec 21, 28; Jan 11, 25; Feb 1. 

Wonders of the Seasonal Sky: Join a live Planetarium presenter for an in-depth tour of our current sky over New Jersey.  This ever-changing program explores the season’s constellations, bright stars, visible planets, deep sky objects and celestial highlights. Constellation mythology and recent space events are also included.  Prepare to ask questions and even answer them as our presenter creates an informal atmosphere for your enjoyment of the current seasonal sky. 

Show Dates: 1:00 p.m.: Fri, Nov 29 – Sat, Nov 30; Dec 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan 4, 18; Feb 1 – Tues, Dec 24.  //  7:00 p.m.: Fri, Nov 29; Dec 6, 13, 20, 27; Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 – Sat, Nov 30; Dec 7.

Legends of the Night Sky: Orion:  As a special winter treat, after a presenter gives a brief tour of our current sky over New Jersey, highlighting Orion, we use our Laser Projection System to bring the mythical story of Orion’s constellation to life in this fun-filled laser imagery adventure.  Narrated by Aesop the owl, we follow Orion as he grows to manhood, battles mythical beasts, foils the plot of an evil king and wins the heart of Artemis, the beautiful moon-goddess. In the end we learn how Orion was placed amongst the other constellations in the winter sky. 

Show Dates: 1:00 p.m.: Thurs, Dec 26 – Fri, Dec 27 – Mon, Dec 30 – Tues, Dec 31 – Sat, Jan 11, 25.  //  7:00 p.m.: Sat, Dec 14, 21, 28; Jan 4, 11, 25; Feb 1 – Fri, Jan 3.

Purchase tickets online at tickets.ocean.edu.  Tickets also go on sale at the door 1/2 hour before our first show.  We accept all major credit cards.  Sorry, we are unable to accept checks. For recorded show information, call 732-255-0342. Visit www.ocean.edu/planet.htm for more information.