"Summer Nights" Program Returns to Golden Pond Planetarium GOLDEN POND, KY - The Summer Nights planetarium and astronomy program presented by "Friends of LBL" will begin May 23, 2009, at the Golden Pond Planetarium located at the Golden Pond Visitor Center in the Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area. Summer Nights features a planetarium theater presentation starting at 8 p.m. in the 40-foot dome planetarium. This is followed by live viewing of the night sky (weather permitting) through the 12.5 inch, equatorially mounted, Newtonian telescope at the Golden Pond Observatory. Members of the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers (WKAA) club will also be on hand to help guide you through the night sky and provide additional telescopes for sky viewing. The planetarium is open seven days a week from March to October. Summer Nights will run from May 23 until September 5, 2009. The schedule for the summer season is as follows: Far Out Space Places --May 23, June 27, August 15, & September 5 Journey to the Edge of Space & Time -- May 30, July 4, & August 22 West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers (WKAA Special)-- June 6, June 20, July 18, & August 8 Explorers of the International Space Station--June 13 & July 25 Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather -- July 11 Skies Above -- August 1 Wizard -- August 29 Immediately following these presentations, the audience is invited to join WKAA members who will point out objects in the sky and guide viewers on their trip through the universe, weather permitting. The dome of the Golden Pond Observatory will be open so participants can view planets, nebula, and other celestial objects through the Newtonian telescope. The Summer Nights programs will be presented each Saturday night, May 23 through September 5, beginning at 8 p.m. sharp. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. No tickets will be sold after the show begins. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. (Discount and fun cards are not accepted for this special program.) The Golden Pond Planetarium is located on The Trace (KY Highway 453) at the junction with US68/KY80 in LBL. Land Between The Lakes is managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with "Friends of LBL", to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education.  We encourage visitors to review our website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, and temporary trail and road closures.  Additional LBL information is also available on our website or by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.  You can find out more about “Friends of LBL” at www.friendsoflbl.org.   #   #   # Media Contact: 270-924-2000 (May 07, 2009)