CAPTION: The Polar Express will be celebrating a 20th Anniversary at the Carey Digital Dome Theater at the Cosmosphere.
By Kate Irelan
For those looking up toward the dark December skies for the Christmas star, Santa, or wishing on a shooting star can find help with all these traditions, celestial events, and more from the Cosmosphere.
Gift ideas for Santa
The Cosmosphere gift store has toys for the science-minded, young and old. No admission ticket is required to shop in the store. Through December 24, the Cosmosphere gift store is offering a free tumbler with a rubberized embossed NASA logo with a $25.00 purchase. Purchases can also be made online at shop.cosmo.org
Wishing on a Shooting Star – Geminid meteor shower
According to Mary Smith, STEAM Educator at the Cosmosphere, the Geminid meteor shower happens every year, with the peak typically occurring December 13 and 14. “This year, however, the peak will occur pretty close to a full moon which will make some of the meteor showers harder to see,” said Smith.
“We get this shower every year because of Earth’s orbit and the orbit of the debris field. Most of the time it is comets the Earth intersects with, but this time it is the debris around the 3200 Phaethon asteroid,” said Smith. “In years past the Geminid meteor shower has not been as active as it is now, which is about 120 [shooting stars] per hour. As the sun goes down, the shower will be visible in the eastern sky, starting around 8:00 p.m.”
Unfortunately, the sky is predicted to be overcast during the peak shower. Smith recommends people not go out of their way to try to see it this year because of the brightness of the near full moon. If there is a break in the cloud cover, she recommends people get away from city lights and perhaps try to view it at Sand Hills State Park. “You don’t need a telescope or binoculars. You just need to view it with your eyes, and make it a cozy evening with warm clothes and maybe a hot chocolate,” said Smith. “Next year, the Geminid meteor shower will be close to a new moon, so it should be better.”
Discover the Christmas Star
From a Cosmosphere press release, “The Mystery of the Christmas Star” retells the Christmas story while exploring the scientific explanation behind the star that guided the wise men to infant Jesus.” This presentation is shown daily at the digital dome theater, Wednesday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
“Journey back 2000 years to Bethlehem as we seek to discover a scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus. We’ll investigate possible dates for the birth of Christ and look at recorded sightings of significant astronomical events during this time frame. We’ll explore which of these signs in the sky could have been remarkable enough to cause the wise men to cross the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem just to see a newborn King. This modern retelling of the Christmas story is sure to charm and captivate audiences of all ages.”
Opening night for Polar Express on December 13, will also be a 20th-anniversary celebration. According to a press release from the Cosmosphere, “The Hutchinson Salvation Army will bring its canteen vehicle to the Cosmosphere parking lot to serve free cocoa and cookies. At 7:00 p.m. the Polar Express screening begins. Showtimes will be available daily from December 13 to January 5, except for December 24, when the showing will be at 3 p.m., and December 25, when the Cosmosphere will be closed.”
For more information, call 620-662-2305 or visit www.cosmo.org for tickets and showtimes.
And more…
Renovated displays
According to a Cosmosphere press release, “The renovated galleries in the Cosmosphere’s Hall of Space are open. While many artifacts are on display during this time, the exhibits and graphics won’t be fully completed until Spring 2025. Until then, to assist with identifying significant artifacts on display in the newly renovated galleries, a Gallery Guide is available through this link. Please be aware that occasionally, parts of the renovated galleries could be off-limits when crews install exhibits and graphics.”
The Cosmosphere also welcomes new board members this December
In a December 9 press release, six new members have been elected to the Cosmosphere’s Boards of Directors. Three individuals will join the Governing Board, and three will serve on the Foundation Board.
The new Foundation Board members include Lauren Bates, Director of Federal Affairs at Skyryse, Jeff Dillon, Chief Operating Officer at VanTrust Real Estate, LLC., and Gerald D. “Gerry” Griffin, former Director, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; former Deputy Director, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center.
The new Governing Board members include Miranda Konowitz, Chief Engineer at Textron Aviation, Rosemary Lesser, Head of Engineering at Airbus Americas Engineering, and Tysen Pina, Department Head of Aviation at Kansas State University Salina.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented and diverse group of individuals to our Boards,” said Jim Remar, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each new member brings their unique insights and a deep commitment to our mission. Their leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve the international aerospace community in impactful ways.”
From December 13 to January 5, the Cosmosphere and Cosmosphere Cafe will be open for extended hours. The Cosmosphere will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Cosmosphere will close early on Christmas Eve at 3:00 p.m. and be closed all day on December 25 for Christmas.
The Cafe will be open 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m., closed on Mondays and on Christmas eve.
The Cosmosphere and the Cafe will both be open New Years Day. The Cosmosphere will be open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Cafe will be open 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Starting January 6, the Cosmosphere and the Cafe will return to regular hours.
Goldi / December 13, 2024
Thanks for covering these activities at the Cosmosphere – you have included lots of helpful information! It might be helpful to include prices for attendance for these activities. I have found that people sometimes think that any activity at the Cosmosphere is expensive, and that really is not the case. Some are, but others are free, or included a “bonus” activity like the hot chocolate and cookies served by the Salvation Army at today’s activity. Correct me please if I’m wrong, but I believe that entrance to the Hall of Space Museum is free to Reno County residents, which is really helpful! We’re really fortunate to have the Cosmosphere in our community, and my hope would be that every member of our community would see that it exists for all of us to learn and enjoy:)
/