Harry Potter Science Night
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” — Arthur C. Clarke
On Friday, Oct. 25, the MSUM Planetarium, Society of Physics Students, and Fantasy Guild will be teaming up to present “Harry Potter Science Night.”
The public is invited to dress up in costumes, get sorted into Hogwarts Houses, and see some science magic. The Society of Physics Students will be presenting a variety of free science demonstrations involving a van de Graaff generator, non-Newtonian fluids, liquid nitrogen, and magnets that seem to defy gravity. The demonstrations will be set up as booths in a classroom across from the MSUM Planetarium from 6 to 8 p.m.
With a ceiling “bewitched” to look like the night sky, the planetarium will be holding two “Astronomy of Harry Potter” shows at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. The shows will provide a tour of the night sky inspired by the stars and constellations after which J. K. Rowling named a number of characters in the Harry Potter series. Regular planetarium admission fees apply to the shows ($5 per adult; $2.50 per senior, child, and Tri-College student).
This is the second year of the planetarium and Society of Physics Students teaming up to present a Halloween Science Night. Last year they presented a Spooky Science Night with “Scary Sky” planetarium shows. This year the MSUM Fantasy Guild will be adding some magic with decorations and Hogwarts spirit with a Sorting Hat and House tables.