Through the Telescope

Before we could explore the universe, we had to learn how to see it. What began with two small pieces of glass changed the way we see the universe. Join us at the Blake Planetarium for an engaging journey through the history of the telescope and discover how these remarkable instruments continue to transform our understanding of the night sky. Our feature presentation, Two Small Pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope, follows two students as they meet an astronomer at a local star party and discover the incredible story behind one of astronomy's most important tools. Travel back to Galileo's early experiments with a modified child's spyglass and follow the evolution of the telescope through the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomical discovery. Along the way, discover how telescopes have allowed us to see farther into space, uncover objects that cannot be seen with our eyes alone, and completely change our understanding of the universe. From the first telescopic observations to today's powerful space-based observatories, see how a simple idea became one of the most important tools in the history of science. Following the feature, continue your exploration with a live guest speaker and telescope show & tell. Get an up-close look at telescopes and learn how these instruments work. Discover what astronomers can see through them, how they differ from one another, and what makes each telescope useful for exploring the night sky. This special program combines the history and science of astronomy with an opportunity to interact with real telescopes and learn from someone who uses them. Whether you're a longtime skywatcher or have never looked through a telescope before, you'll leave seeing the night sky in a whole new way. TICKETS ARE SOLD ONLINE ONLY. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. Please note that we are a ticketless venue. When you buy your ticket online, you are immediately added to our attendee list, so there is no need to print your ticket or present an e-ticket. You can simply check in with your name and a smile. All ages welcome. Parking is free. Food and drink are not allowed in the planetarium. No refunds at any time. If you have questions about the event, please email Alison Riordan at [email protected] (Science Curriculum Coordinator, Plymouth Public Schools).