Visit a Planetarium

Whether it's gazing at the stars above or a probing exploration of black holes, a date at a planetarium can be a celestial experience. Planetariums offer an array of programs ranging from laser star shows with accompanying music to the newest images from the Hubble telescope. Astronomers are present to explain the sky and help you search for heavenly bodies.

COST

Free to $10 per person. Parking can be out of this world.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Shows usually last an hour. Call ahead of time to see if you need to make reservations.

HOW TO FIND A PLANETARIUM

Point your web browser to www.explorespace.com and go to the "Planet S" directory. You will fi nd a list of 490 observatories and 258 planetariums across the United States and Canada.

For links to more than 500 planetariums around the world, set your sites on www.lochness.com. This website is run by the Lochness Monster.

You can't go wrong transporting your mouse to www.skypub.com and clicking on the Resources button. Wow!

There are almost as many amateur astronomy organizations as there are stars in the sky. Many of these can furnish you with information about star gazing. Www.astroleague.org will connect you with an organization in your area. Your local planetarium can also get you in touch with amateur astronomy groups. These groups hold observing events and can show you how to use a variety of instruments from binoculars to telescopes.

STAY-AT-HOME STAR GAZING

If you want to stay home and observe the stars in your own living room, especially the fi ery Ganja constellation, you can buy a home planetarium. Your ceiling becomes the screen. Check out the Star Theater Home Planetarium for $35.00 at www.amazingtoystore.com (800)495-9887 or try the Amazing Home Planetarium for $24.95 at www.museum.com (877)213-9778.

PLANETARIUM? OBSERVATORY?

Just so you'll know, a planetarium is a domed auditorium for viewing slide and laser shows of the universe. An observatory is where they actually have a telescope that looks into the sky. A lot of locations have both.

FOR MORE ON THE NIGHT SKIES...

We have included a separate date on stargazing that follows on page 54. While the subject matter is the same, stargazing on your own without going to a planetarium is a very different experience. Both can be excellent dates, but one is more intimate and requires different planning, like bringing glow-in-the-dark condoms.