By Debby Abe
Just in time for spring break, the Pierce College Science Dome is featuring an interactive kids’ show about the moon and a cutting-edge production about the earth’s global climate.
The Science Dome also has new hours for the spring. General audience shows, featuring a rotation of titles, will be 7 p.m. Fridays and 3:15 p.m. Saturdays. Children’s shows will be 2 p.m. Saturdays.
– A “Walk on the Moon” gives youngsters (ages 3-8) a chance to explore our nearest neighbor, the Moon. As the night sky is projected on the dome, kids can pretend they’re taking off with the Apollo 11 crew in 1969. After landing on the moon, the young explorers can get out of their seats and walk on the lunar surface, drive around and plant a flag.
– Actor Liam Neeson narrates the dome’s other new show, “Dynamic Earth.”
With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, the fulldome video explores the inner workings of the earth’s global climate. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes.
This one-hour, general audience presentation begins with a live astronomy presentation followed by the fulldome video. For dates and show times, check the schedule at piercecollegedome.com
– Additional shows will be added in mid-April. Meanwhile, time is running out to see:
• “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” examining the history of the telescope and famous astronomers’ discoveries in space. Final showings: 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, and 3:15 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
The Pierce College Science Dome is a 58-seat domed visualization theater that is the only one of its kind in the South Puget Sound region.
Pierce College Science Dome
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Rainier Building, Room 263
9401 Farwest Dr. SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
Tickets: Adults, $6; Children 3 to 18 years old and Pierce College students, $3.
Available at the door with cash only. Advanced tickets available online.
Phone: 253-964-6440
Showtimes, more info, online tickets at piercecollegedome.com