TAMIU LBV Planetarium Anniversary Celebration Begins Friday

Join the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium as it marks its two-year anniversary Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. Celebrate with the premiere of a new feature, “Black Holes” and a jazz concert under the stars.

“Black Holes” premieres at the LBV Planetarium Friday, April 20 at 6 p.m. The feature is an immersive digital dome production narrated by John de Lancie (“Star Trek the Next Generation’s” “Q”).

The program incorporates several of the latest theories regarding black holes with 3-D simulations of black holes and the strange relativistic effects they can create. With comments from the country's leading experts, “Black Holes,” is the most up-to-date and visually stimulating show about black holes ever produced.

Audiences to all shows that weekend will also receive a free LBV Planetarium button.

General admission is $4 for all “Black Holes” shows.

Encore presentations of "Black Holes are scheduled for Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 21 at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m.

In addition to the new show, the LBV Planetarium will offer for the first time Jazz Under the Stars Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. Local band HARD-D will be performing.

Admission to Jazz Under the Stars is $5.

Guests who visit the LBV Planetarium on Saturday, April 21 will be treated to the return of “The Sky Tonight” at 8 p.m.

“We will show what the sky looks like at night and how to find different constellations, any events happening in the sky and of course, what planets are currently visible. Our guest speaker, Eddie Hcnir, will show audiences how to find these constellations with a telescope, read a star map, find the North Star and many other things. After his presentation, we will go outside and use the telescopes to find Saturn and constellations. Telescopes will be available, but people are welcome to bring their own,” explained Laura Jimenez, LBV Planetarium associate director.

General admission to “The Sky Tonight” is $4.

In the past two years, more than 42,000 visitors to the LBV Planetarium have floated in the eye of a tornado, seen how the ancient Egyptians used science to make a workable calendar and align huge buildings, visited breathtaking landscapes and volcanic eruptions on distant planets and moons, saved an enchanted reef, gathered clues to diagnose a patient and gone on many more adventures into the past and the future.

For more information and show schedule, visit the Planetarium on the Web at tamiu.edu/coas/planetarium or call 956.326.2444.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu