For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — From myths to magnetism, take a closer look at the northern lights in a show at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.

“Aurora” will be offered at 2 p.m. Sundays, March 31, April 7, 14 and 28 and May 5 and 12. Open to the public free of charge, the show features the early myths associated with the Aurora Borealis. It follows the light’s origin from the ideas of ancient Greeks to our modern-day knowledge of the appearance as a link between electricity and magnetism and the Sun and the Earth.

On Monday evenings, the “Night Sky” planetarium program is offered at 8 p.m. to look in detail at objects in the current spring night sky. These programs begin April 1.

Planetarium seating is first come, first served for up to 55 people. Groups of 15 or more may schedule a special showing of any planetarium program by calling 715-346-2208 or completing an online request form at www.uwsp.edu/physastr/plan_obs. There is a cost of $25 per group for these presentations.

The Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory telescope is open for free viewings from 8:30-10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday evenings if the skies are clear and the temperature is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

The planetarium and observatory are located on the second and fourth floor, respectively, of the UW-Stevens Point Science Building at the corner of Reserve Street and Fourth Avenue. Parking is available in Lot D behind the building and is free in all university lots after 7 p.m. and on weekends.