FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Teresa Newton, (817) 272-7078, teresa.newton@uta.edu

ARLINGTON - The University of Texas at Arlington offers star-studded preparation for the 100 Hours of Astronomy event later this week. Two lectures and Planetarium shows usher in a three-day event that is part of the International Year of Astronomy celebration, with another lecture planned a few days later.

The International Year of Astronomy commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei using a telescope for astronomical purposes and changing the human perspective of the universe forever.

The 100 Hours of Astronomy is a round -the-clock, round-the-globe effort to get people looking through a telescope, just as Galileo did 400 years ago. The clock begins running Wednesday, April 2, and continues through Sunday, April 5.

The events, which are free and open to the public, are:

• Stories of Women Stargazers, noon Monday, March 30, sixth floor parlor, Central Library, 702 Planetarium Place. Dr. Dora Musielak, a rocket scientist, will speak about women in science and mathematics.
• The International Space Station and the Future, 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, Nedderman Hall, 416 S. Yates St. Gary Kitmacher, International Space Station manager for communications at NASA's Johnson Space Center, will speak about the construction of the space station, from its start in 1998 and to nearing completion.
• Saturn and the Moon, 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 3, Planetarium, 700 Planetarium Place. Saturn and the moon will be visible this evening. Use the Planetarium's telescopes after the Rock on Demand show.
• Sun, the Moon and Saturn, 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Planetarium. Use telescopes between shows to see the sun, moon and Saturn.
• SunDay, noon-3 p.m. Sunday, April 5, Planetarium. Look at the sun with telescopes, listen to "Ask the Astronomer" and enjoy a show. Sun facts can be found at the SunDay Web site.
• Hubble's Greatest Hits, 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, Planetarium. Dr. Chris Impey of the Space Telescope Science Institute at the University of Arizona will talk about the Hubble telescope.

The Planetarium has several shows, including matinees and $2 movies. Check the Planetarium Web site for schedules. Contact the Planetarium at 817-272-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu for tickets.

More information about the International Year of Astronomy is on the UT Arlington's Physics Department Web site or the 100 Hours of Astronomy Web site.

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