NEWS

Planetarium to offer Spanish version of "Carolina Skies" star show

CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will offer its first ongoing Spanish-language show beginning this month.

The program, called "Cielo Carolina," is the Spanish version of "Carolina Skies," a live-action show that teaches visitors to identify the planets and stars found in that night’s sky.

"Cielo Carolina" will run at 5:30 p.m. the last Saturday of each month starting Feb. 28. Mark Sanders, a UNC senior and part-time employee at the Morehead Center, is developing the approximately 35-minute program and plans to narrate it.

"There are so few things for Spanish-speaking families to do in the local area during their spare time," Sanders said. "We’re hoping to provide not only an entertaining experience for them but one that is educational, too."

Presentations of "Cielo Carolina" will vary each month to incorporate the celestial bodies found in that evening’s sky. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions throughout the show and to apply their newfound knowledge to the real night sky once they leave the planetarium.

"Cielo Carolina" is the most recent development in an ongoing effort by the Morehead Center to meet the needs of North Carolina’s Spanish-speaking population. In December, the center presented "La Estrella de Belen," a Spanish translation of its "Star of Bethlehem" show. The Morehead Center also plans to begin a Spanish-language story hour during the summer and is seeking funds to translate its taped programs.

"It is important that we provide all visitors with an opportunity to learn from our scientific programming," said Denise Young, outreach educator. "I anticipate that ‘Cielo Carolina’ will be just one of many endeavors designed to extend the appeal of the Morehead Center to people of many different backgrounds."

After Feb. 28, "Cielo Carolina" will be presented March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26, July 31 and Aug. 28. Admission is $4.75 for adults and $3.75 for children, students and seniors.

The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is located at 250 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill.

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Note: The Morehead Center has Spanish speakers on staff who are available for interviews with Spanish-language media outlets.

Morehead Center contact: Jeff Hill, (919) 843-7995 or jeff_hill@unc.edu