March 18–May 20, 2012

The Search for Life... Are We Alone?

   Sundays at 3 p.m

   (closed Easter Sunday, April 8)

An engrossing immersive theater experience, “The Search for Life” launches visitors on an awe-inspiring trip through space and time—from the depths of Earth’s oceans to the outer reaches of the cosmos—to explore the links between life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets.  Featuring breathtaking visualizations—many seen for the first time—based on cutting-edge scientific data, the thought-provoking new Space Show will transform our view of the cosmos, revealing countless worlds that may harbor life.

“The Search for Life” was produced by the American Museum of Natural History, and is narrated by Harrison Ford. This show is watchable by children 8 years of age and older.

(Editor's personal note: after presenting a movie this semester narrated by Mark Hamill, and a second by Harrison Ford, I'm now looking for a program narrated by Carrie Fisher, but so far have not been successful.)

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Admission fees:

$5  Adults

$3  Children

$3  Rowan students with ID

$3  Seniors over 60

Note: we do not accept credit cards or Rowan cards!

Tickets for all shows go on sale half an hour before the first show. We do not sell advance tickets before that time, nor do we take reservations. We will sell up to four tickets to one person if others in her party are not present (this is mainly for laser shows).

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Planetarium Policies

1. There is no late seating! If the door is closed, we do not allow people to come in, for several reasons. (a) It's not safe: in the very dark environment, it's easy to stumble into equipment or chairs, possibly doing injury to you (and to the equipment!).  (b) It's disruptive to those who are already seated, if latecomers speak to one another, make other noises, or stand up in the way of seated people. Often latecomers don't even realize the theater is already filled with people, and don't realize how disruptive they are being.  (c) If a latecomer leaves the outer doors open, or turns on a flashlight or cell phone to light his way, it destroys the dark adaptation the seated audience has been going through for several minutes.

2. For the same reasons, the doors lock on the way out. If you must leave the theater for any reason, you won't be able to re-enter. Hey, the shows aren't THAT long! And the rest rooms are available before the show!

3. We strongly discourage attendance by children under five years of age. Such youngsters often do not react well to the dark planetarium environment and the theatrical nature of most shows. For many shows we don't recommend bringing children less than 8 or even 10 years old. We do many shows for children during the week: we like to give adults a chance to see a show peacefullly!

4. We suggest you do not get up and walk around during a show, for the same reasons mentioned in number !.

5. Please don't open any food or drink, including water. We don't have any maintenance people assigned to the theater, and we'd like to keep it looking nice as long as we can.

6. Like most theaters, we ask that you shut down your cell phone. In most theaters, the main problem is noise during the performance. In the planetarium, the problem is LIGHT! Cell phones cast light up onto the dome, destroying the illusion of the night sky we're trying to create. YOU won't notice it, because you're looking downwards; but your neighbors will get annoyed, probably at the planetarium presenter, when they see the light on the dome.

7. The most important rule: you're not allowed to go to sleep during a show...

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Directions:

Science Hall is centrally located on the Rowan campus, on the north side of Rt. 322 between Savitz Hall and Westby Hall, across from Robinson Hall on Meditation Walk. For a campus map, visit http://www.rowan.edu/map.

Weekend parking is available in the large Lot A at the northwest end of the campus, along Route 322. Coming from the east on 322, you can turn into Lot A, then get out and walk back to the southeast past Westby Hall to the Science Hall.

Coming from the west on Route 322, technically you cannot legally turn into Lot A any longer. If you want to follow the rules, you should turn left at Bowe Blvd.; turn right into campus at the next turn, on North Campus Drive; then immediately turn right, following the sign for "Lot A," which will bring you into the north end of the large Parking Lot A. Go to the other end of the lot and park, then walk past Westby Hall to the Science Hall.

Coming from the east on Route 322 is easier: you're allowed to turn directly into Lot A, at the far end of the campus when traveling in this direction.

Alternatively, you can park on the south side of Route 322 in the visitors' lot by Memorial Hall, then walk across the road to the Science Hall.

The Science Hall and planetarium have almost no permanent signs (yet), but we do put temporary signs out on the sidewalk to help you find us. We apologize for being so elusive!

(Updated 5/7/2012)