New Planetarium Show Opens for Mars Month Celebration at The Bishop

“Mars Revealed” Opens Friday, Sept. 18

Mars is taking center stage at The Bishop Museum of Science and Naturein September and October as the Red Planet presents the best opportunity for viewing in nearly two decades.
During “Mars Month” — which includes special appearances by Jupiter and Saturn — we’ve planned programs that explore everything from Mars basics, to myths about Mars, and even opportunities for in-person viewing.
Now, we’re adding a new Planetarium show to our Mars-centric lineup focused on the only other planet in our solar system with a solid surface, polar ice caps, an atmosphere, and weather!
During “Mars Revealed,” guests will “fly” from Earth to the Martian surface where they’ll discover some of the geographical features that could indicate whether life ever existed on the Red Planet. This show is a 10-minute narrated tour of the most Earth-like planet, including what will be visible when Mars is at opposition, making it especially large and bright!
“Mars Revealed” starts Friday, Sept. 18 and will show at:
10:30 and 11 a.m. and noon Wednesday through Saturday12:30, 1 and 2 p.m. every Sunday
“Mars has fascinated people for centuries,” said Planetarium Manager Howard Hochhalter. “We connect with it because it reminds us of our home, Earth, sharing similar features, including water, an atmosphere that gives it blue skies and weather, and polar ice caps. It’s likely to be the first planet humans will land on. ‘Mars Revealed’ gives our guests a close-up look at these tantalizing features.”
The Planetarium is also still showing “Flight through Our Solar System,” a 10-minute narrated tour that begins at the sun then travels through our solar system past Pluto and the other outer planets, until we arrive at the icy outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, located on the outer fringe of our solar system. Showtimes are:
12:30, 2, and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday 2:30, 3:30, and 4 p.m. Sunday
Be sure to check out our full schedule of Mars-related programming and don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Mars perigee and opposition.
Opposition is when a body in our solar system (a planet or the moon) is on the opposite side of the sun from the Earth, so that the body is fully luminated by the sun and brighter than when it’s in any other position. Mars will be at opposition on Oct. 13.
Perigee is when a planet is at its closest approach to Earth. Mars’ average distance from Earth is 141.3 million miles; on Oct.6, it will be a mere 38.1 million miles away. In terms of light physics, closer means brighter.
The combination of opposition and near-perigee means that Mars will be shining at a magnitude of -2.6. Remember, the lower the magnitude, the brighter the object; Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, shines at a magnitude of -1.46.

Mars Month Programs & Registration

To register for The Bishop’s “Mars Month” programs, visit www.BishopScience.org/MarsMonth.

We’re celebrating “Mars Month” with both online and in-person programs. For events at the Museum, we will follow social distancing measures and limit capacity. Masks are required for all staff and visitors over the age of 2. For more information on what The Bishop is doing to keep visitors safe, visit www.BishopScience.org/Welcome-Back/.
10:30 a.m. Sept. 19: Intro to MarsJoin The Bishop’s Planetarium Manager Howard Hochhalter for this virtual program on Zoom as members of the local astronomy club, the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers, join us for a beginners’ discussion about Mars.Cost: $3 for members of The Bishop’s Discovery Society; $5 for all othersWhere: On Zoom
7 p.m. Sept. 23: StelliferousPlanetarium Manager Howard Hochhalter takes you on a live guided tour of the night skies. His focus will include Mars, of course, along with Jupiter, Saturn and what’s happening with the constellations. Then, he’ll open the floor for an always-fun question and answer session. Stelliferous is great for curious adults and inquisitive kids alike.Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersWhere: On Zoom
10:30 a.m. Sept. 26: KidSpaceWe unleash the awesome power of the universe during this virtual program on Zoom as we talk about our solar system, our galaxy and our universe. We’ll have a special focus on Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome!Cost: FreeWhere: On Zoom
4:30, 5:30 & 6:30pm Oct. 6: Members’ Night ExclusiveMembers of The Bishop’s Discovery Society are invited to join us in-person at the Museum for a fascinating Mars-focused show in The Planetarium and exclusive access to our newest special exhibition, Water’s Extreme Journey.Note: This program is for members of The Bishop’s Discovery Societyonly. Click here to join now.
8 p.m. Oct. 9: Mars Viewing OpportunityJoin us for an evening outdoor observing program in The Bishop’s North Plaza as we welcome volunteers from members of the local astronomy club the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers, who will help you view Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn through their telescopes. Experience the awe-inspiring wonder of backyard astronomy for yourself! (Please note: Rain date is Oct. 10.)Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersWhere: At The Bishop
10:30 a.m. Oct. 10: KidSpaceWe unleash the awesome power of the universe during this virtual program on Zoom as we talk about our solar system, our galaxy and our universe. We’ll have a special focus on Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome!Cost: FreeWhere: On Zoom
4 p.m. Oct. 10: IQuest “Mission to Mars”IQuest is a monthly drop-off program for smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8. On Oct. 10, we’ll focus on Mars: When will we go there? What would it be like to live there? Kids will explore the challenges and imagine the future of this next great adventure for humankind!Cost: $8 (includes pizza and a drink); paid reservations required before 11 a.m. Oct. 10 Where: At The Bishop
Noon Oct. 13: Star Talk TuesdayIt’s the big day! Join us on Facebook as we focus our Star Talk Tuesday weekly program on Mars at opposition!Cost: FreeWhere: On The Bishop’s Facebook page
10:30 a.m. Oct. 17: Ask Howard Anything: Mars EditionHave a question about Mars? Now’s your opportunity to Ask Howard Anything during this virtual program on Zoom. Planetarium manager Howard Hochhalter will be joined by members from the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers, who will share their knowledge as well.Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersWhere: On Zoom
7 p.m. Oct. 21: Mars MythsMars has inspired the mythologies of cultures around the world for thousands of years. Join The Bishop Curator Tiffany Birakis as she explores some of the enduring myths surrounding the Red Planet, and how these ancient myths have influenced our current cultural beliefs. Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersWhere: On Zoom

As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly South Florida Museum) offers fun and engaging exhibitions and programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit — and Pathways, a custom, interactive app that offers guests specially curated tours of the Museum.
The Bishop includes an all-digital Planetarium — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we help rehabilitate sick or injured manatees for their return to the wild, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe, built especially for young children and their families.
Our Mission: To engage and inspire learners of all ages; we protect, interpret and communicate scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world, and our universe.
Visit www.BishopScience.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131.

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