NEWS

CHAPEL HILL -- Looking for a great outing during the holidays? The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is offering expanded show offerings and additional screenings of its popular holiday presentation "Star of Bethlehem" Dec. 21-Jan. 3.

Morehead’s Monday-Saturday schedule will be:

• "Star of Bethlehem," 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m.
• "Larry -- Cat in Space," 10:30 a.m.
• "Sol & Company," 12:30 p.m.
• "Solar System Adventure," 2:30 p.m.

Morehead’s Sunday show schedule begins at 1:30 p.m. The planetarium will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will present no evening shows on Dec. 31. The planetarium will operate on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Day.

"Star of Bethlehem" looks at possible astronomical explanations of that celestial event of long ago. Using planetarium wizardry, viewers examine and decide for themselves whether a blazing comet, an exploding star called a nova, a shooting star, a major eclipse or a conjunction of planets might explain the reported event. The Star Theater's recently upgraded video system uses additional visual sequences to make the special effects even more compelling. A new, original digitally edited soundtrack enhances audio quality.

The planetarium has presented "Star of Bethlehem" for more than 50 years. For more information, click on www.morehead.unc.edu.

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Morehead contact: Jeff Hill, 962-1236
News Services contact: Mike McFarland, 962-8593