Celestial Highlights: Star Nests of Orion

As part of its Celestial Highlights series, the American Museum of Natural History will host "Star Nests of Orion" ($15) tonight at 6:30 in Hayden Planetarium. Calling it a "tour of the heavens," the presentation uses the Zeiss Mark IX Star Projector to show the splendors of the universe and teach about the way in which stars form and evolve.

Nerdy or magnificent? You decide.

Top 5 Things to Do January 15, 2009

1. Stargazers might appreciate The Journey to Palomar, what is billed as "a film about American astronomer George Ellery Hale’s dramatic public and private struggle to build the four largest telescopes of the 20th century." Afterwards Dr. Ben Oppenheimer will discuss contemporary astronomy. FMI

2. Heloise & The Savoir Faire, described as "one part theatrical pop, one part post-punk revival,"
at Bowery Ballroom. FMI

3. Would you care for a spot of tea in the grand ballroom at Gracie Mansion? FMI

4. Forget tea. You can pay with beer to attend the Jugger-Nut Comics #2 "Wak Fantastic" release party at the Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery).

5. Necrophiliacs might appreciate the talk on Green Wood Cemetery at the B&N in Park Slope. FMI