Seeing Stars in New York City

Star gazers might want to stop by the American Museum of Natural History's to catch their new Space Show, Journey to the Stars. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg this narrative into the origins of our universe sets out to explore just how far away are the stars and other objects we see in the sky?

Rather than giving a pat answer, this space displays images from a wide range of telescopes, as well as scientifically grounded simulations. Visitors can sit back in the plush chairs and play armchair astronomer as they see this story unfold before their eyes.

This particular show starts about 13 billion years ago by demonstrating the supernova explosions which over time produced the solar system. Once the solar system is established, the show progresses to explore the sun up close and personally. Then the show ends by projecting 5 billion years into the fugure to give viewers a simulated foretaste of how our yellow sun will turn into a red gigantic shape before exploding, leaving behind a white dwarf star, a fate that befalls most stars.

If you cannot make the trek into Manhattan, you can still catch the star show online at www.amnh.org/stars. Material including at this multimedia website includes production notes, trailer, bios of the key players behind this exhibit, articles, videos, interactive displays from the museum's science program, an online exhibit of photographs highlighting the sun that were taken by NASA telescopes, and even an interview with a NASA scientist. Teachers can click on the "For Educators and Kids" link that will take them to a range of teaching resources grouped according to age ranges.

You can access the museum every day from 10 am to 5:45 pm with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check out the space shows on the half hour on Sunday-Thursday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm and Friday from 10:30 am to 7 pm.

Suggested general admission is $16 (adults), $12 (students/seniors) and $9 (children) If you want to attend the space show should add $20 (adults), $16.50 (students/seniors), or $11 (children). Those looking to save a bit of money have two options. If you buy your ticket in person, you can pay less than the suggested Museum admission and then add on the price of the space show. For more information log on to www.amnh.org.

Also, if you plan on doing a fair amount of sightseeing in New York City, consider purchasing a CitiPass. This coupon booklet will allow greatly reduced admission to the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (or the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island). Check out www.citipass.com for all the details.