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General Information:
Derek Demeter407.708.2409

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Michael McConville407.708.2421

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Derek Demeter407.708.2409

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Did you know...

The Winter Sky Festival

The Seminole State College Planetarium is proud to host the Winter Sky Festival on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 6 p.m. until midnight. Visitors will be treated to telescope viewings of Jupiter, the moon, galaxies, star clusters and nebulae, as well as several planetarium shows presented live, underneath the stars. And to keep our visitors from starving, there will be several of Orlando’s food trucks at the event selling their culinary creations!

Most importantly (like at all planetarium star parties), admission to the event is completely free! There will be plenty of space in the star party area for visitors to bring chairs and blankets. Because of the high likelihood of cool temperatures during the event, we recommend wearing warm clothing and bringing hot beverages.

The event will take place in the faculty and staff parking lot adjacent to building B and the planetarium, just off College Drive on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The food trucks will be set up in the parking lot adjacent to the star party area, and visitors can park in the lots in front of building B.

You can RSVP via Facebook and follow the Planetarium Twitter account (#WSF) for even more information on this event as we get closer to Dec. 20! We hope to see you there!

Confirmed Food Trucks

So far, two food trucks have confirmed they will be at the Winter Sky Festival, with as many as four more left to be confirmed. For more information about the food trucks, visit their websites. The following food trucks already have been confirmed:

• Stay Calm Cupcake
• The Pastrami Project

Observing List for Dec. 20

• The moon, Luna (first quarter phase)
• The planet Jupiter and its four moons
• The distant outer planets Uranus and Neptune, only visible through a telescope
• The Andromeda Galaxy, the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way
• The Pleiades star cluster in the constellation Taurus, also known as the "Seven Sisters"
• The Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery where new stars are being born
• And many more to be included!

Bring Out Your Telescope!

The planetarium staff will be available throughout the Winter Sky Festival to answer questions visitors might have about their own telescopes. If you need any help setting up and using it, or would just like to show off your telescope, the Winter Sky Festival is for you!

Scheduled Presentations (Star Party Area)

Attendees of the Winter Sky Festival will be treated to the following presentations throughout the evening:

• 6:30 p.m.: "The Star of Bethlehem" (presentation to last 45 minutes)
• 7:30 p.m.: "Central Florida Nights" (presentation to last 60 minutes)
• 9 p.m.: "The Fire of Creation: The Maya" (presentation to last 45 minutes)