'Season of Light' star show Monday

The Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium, 1595 Hopkins Road, will present its popular seasonal show, "Season of Light," with two presentations scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17, the first at 7 p.m. and the second at 7:45 p.m.

There is no charge for the show. Seating is on a first-come basis; there are no tickets or reservations. Each program will be followed by an outdoor observing session with telescopes if weather permits.

The "Season of Light" star show will be presented on the planetarium's new, full-dome video system. The show is about the coldest and darkest of seasons - a season that holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. It recounts the historical, religious, and cultural rituals practiced during the time of the winter solstice. Christian, Jewish, Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Hopi and Mexican winter festivals are featured.

It is also a look at more light-hearted traditions: from gift giving and mistletoe to songs and decking the halls with greenery and candles.

Naturally, astronomy is a focus of the show; a few constellations, the Sun's path across the sky, and the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun are used to explain the changing seasons.

The Williamsville Space Lab-Planetarium complex is located at Williamsville North High School near the intersection of Hopkins and Dodge roads in East Amherst.

The entrance to the building is from the Hopkins Road parking area on the south side of the building near the tennis courts.

Visit the space lab Web site at http:// www. williamsvillek12. org/planetarium/.

For more information, contact Mark Percy, planetarium director, by e-mail at Mpercy@ williamsvillek12.org