SUNY Oswego planetarium shows to link astronomy, literature

The SUNY Oswego planetarium will present “Astronomical Subjects in the Works of Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Mark Twain” at 7 p.m. every Sunday in November.

Celestial objects are mentioned often in literature, and host Dr. John Zielinski of the college’s physics department will briefly discuss astronomical topics mentioned in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and “Julius Caesar,” Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

Telescopic observations will follow the planetarium shows if weather permits.

Sunday shows will continue through June with changing topics each month in the state-of-the-art facility on the second floor of the Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering and Innovation.

The planetarium has limited seating, so guests are encouraged to arrive a bit early. Shows are recommended for children ages 4 and older. No food or drink is permitted in the facility. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Parking is free in the commuter lot off Washington Boulevard and the employee lot off Centennial Boulevard across from the Shineman Center.