When the Skies Clear - Look for Mars

In a month that’s already awash in holiday red, December will offer the best telescope views of the Red Planet until 2016! Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is hosting a series of Monthly Skyquest programs in the Walter R. Schuele Planetarium to highlight the close encounter with Mars, including an additional Saturday evening star show and telescope viewing on December 29. The extra evening program is designed to take advantage of the great viewing opportunity, if the weather cooperates!

Of course, the skies are alway clear inside the Walter R. Schuele Planetarium. Check out the latest views of Mars and discover fascinating facts about the fourth planet from the Sun at Here Comes Mars!, presented every Saturday in December at 2 p.m. and on December 15 and 29 at 7 p.m., with free, outdoor telescope viewing (weather permitting) following the evening planetarium programs. The fee for all 2 p.m. shows is $2 per person. At 7 p.m., tickets are $3 per person.

To take a self-guided star hike in December, download and print our Starry Trails Guide and Map on the main Planetarium website page. Bundle up and head out to explore the night sky, with an eye on Mars!

Don't forget, the planetarium staff is adding a series of daytime, family-oriented star shows on December 26, 27 and 28, to accommodate visitors during Winter Break week. Programs will be available at 11 a.m. Noon, 1, 2 & 3 p.m. each day, and admission is just $1 per person.