Williamsville planetarium hosts March Moon Madness

During March Madness, basketball fans everywhere admire shooting stars on the hardwood. But in Williamsville, true stargazers can shoot for the moon, literally, during the Williamsville Central School District planetarium's Moon March Madness.

The Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium, 1595 Hopkins Road, will host a public show at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, which will focus on the Apollo missions to the moon.

In addition to the free planetarium show, visitors will have an opportunity to view samples of moon rock, on loan to the school district from NASA.

Mill Middle School science teacher Kenneth Huff was able to secure the rare collection of lunar samples for a weeklong visit to district schools with the only public viewing to coincide with the planetarium show on March 19.

The Moon Madness program will also address the geology of the moon and information about NASA's plans to return to the moon. If weather permits, there will be an outdoor telescopic observing after the program.

There are no tickets or reservations; however, seating is limited. For more information, e-mail at mpercy@williamsvillek12.org or visit www.williamsvillek12.org/planetarium; click on the "Astro Happenings" link for show details.