Free Holiday Planetarium Show at Kean University

The Kean University School of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences has a holiday gift for all this season – free showings of the planetarium program Season of Light at the campus planetarium in the Science Building.

The show combines astronomy with the historic, religious and cultural celebrations of light during the holiday season – including Christian, Jewish, Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi traditions.

Season of Light traces the history and development of many holiday traditions, including the Yule log, Christmas lights, luminarias and the Hanukkah menorah. It takes a look at holiday customs such as gift giving, mistletoe and decking the halls, and St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all get a mention.

Through it all, the winter sky is explored, constellations are identified and possible astronomical explanations for a “Star in Bethlehem” – comets, meteors, novae and supernovae – are explained.

Season of Light is being offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. on the third floor of the ​Kean’s ​Science Building​, ​​1000 Morris Avenue in Union, ​from now through Dec. 10. Admission is free.

There is limited seating, but groups interested in booking a special presentation may contact the Kean University School of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences at sess@kean.edu or (908) 737-3737.