Cosmic Wonder Opening Day Celebration May 17th -- Wonder, Observe, Discover At The Adler This Summer

CHICAGO, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Celebrate the opening of the Adler's new show Cosmic Wonder and the summer-long programming, 100 Days of Wonder, with free solar observing (weather permitting), sky watching tips from Adler staff, Curiosity mission updates, family activities and more!  Adler visitors can also enter to win a telescope.

All activities are free with paid admission.  See Adler website for day's schedule.

WONDER:  
This summer, take an exciting journey of discovery as the world's most technologically advanced dome theater transforms into a virtual observatory in Cosmic Wonder. See the night sky like never before.  Leading-edge technology brings the Universe so close you can almost touch it! 

OBSERVE: 
Interact with Adler experts with free solar telescope viewing (weather permitting), tours of the Doane Observatory, and summer sky watching tips from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DISCOVER:
Check out NASA's Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built.  This high-fidelity model is now exclusively on display at the Adler Planetarium through September 3.  Get updates on the Curiosity mission from Adler experts. Learn how the rover works and more.

WHO: 
Adler President, astronomers and staff available to discuss the making of Cosmic Wonder, Mars Curiosity mission updates, summer sky watching tips, and 100 Days of Wonder programming

WHEN:   
Friday, May 17, 2013 - Best photo & interview opportunities: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: 
Adler Planetarium, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago – adlerplanetarium.org

DETAILS: 
The Adler's new show, Cosmic Wonder opens Friday, May 17 in the Grainger Sky Theater. Cosmic Wonder will run daily through April 1, 2014.  Admission options include the Premium Pass, which includes general admission, Cosmic Wonder, one additional show of your choice, access to all exhibitions, and the historic Atwood Experience. Adults $28; seniors/students with ID $26; Children (ages 3-11) $22.

NASA's Curiosity rover landed safely on the surface of Mars at 12:31 a.m. CDT on August 6, 2012. The Adler will display a full-size replica of NASA's Mars Curiosity rover starting on Friday, May 17 through September 3. This Mars Curiosity rover is a high-fidelity prototype and the only of its kind to be publicly displayed. When NASA completed its first planetary mission that used precision landing techniques to steer itself toward the surface of Mars, it captured international attention from both the scientific community and citizens around the world.  Since its successful landing, the SUV-sized Curiosity rover's main scientific goals have been to find out whether Mars could ever have supported life, to determine the role of water, and to study the climate and geology of Mars.  This mission will also help prepare for human exploration.

SOURCE Adler Planetarium