From gas-giant Bespin to forest-moon Endor, fictional planets of the Star Wars galaxy have a number of similarities with actual planets in our own universe, and for the next three Friday nights at the Colgate University Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory, the public is invited to join a galactic exploration of how planets in a galaxy far, far, away compare to our own.
The live tour through the universe, titled The Planets of Star Wars: The Search for Another Earth, will be led by Joe Eakin, senior visualization lab designer and technician, who has selected about 12 Star Wars universe planets to compare with known exoplanets orbiting stars outside our own solar system.
“It’s pretty easy to compare Endor and Naboo to other Earth-like planets,” said Eakin. “During the show, the dome of the theater will look like we’re inside an Imperial shuttle, flying to the different planets. It’s a great way to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
The free shows in the 53-seat full-dome theater are scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Friday, December 4, 11, and 18. Immediately following the show, a holiday-themed musical, titled Let it Snow, will also be played.