By Julia Leaman
leaman@newsroom.byu.edu@by2:NewsNet Staff Writer
Gazing at the stars and romantically reminiscing in the dark on campus could be a little hard when the weather causes frizzy hair and cold noses.
However, some students find a way around the cold weather factor, with stars ... indoors.
The Sarah B. Summerhayes Planetarium in the Eyring Science Center is known to be a great date place.
Lee Raiford, 18, a freshman from Houstin majoring in computer science, said he went there during a Y weekend activity.
Raiford said he would take a date there because, 'It's only a buck and it's pretty close.' He also agreed that the atmosphere would be fun with a date.
The planetarium is among the list of on-campus fun and hot spots for some students.
Jeannette Lawler, director of the planetarium, said homecoming weekend at the planetarium was especially popular for dates.
Despite disappointed students, the observatory was not open after the presentation that weekend because of bad weather.
'It is a real nice, cheap on-campus date,' Lawler said.
Keri Brinkerhoff, 20, a senior from Canyonwille, Ore. majoring in English teaching secondary education, said, 'I've never been there, but I think it would be really interesting.'
Brinkerhoff said they offer a specialized show every Friday, with a different theme each week.
Amanda Andrews, 20, a sophomore from Mission Viejo, Ca., majoring in nursing said, 'I have heard that it's a fun date place and that they give a very interesting presentation.'
The slide shows presentations are about 45 minutes and are put on by the members of the BYU astronomy club.
Lawler said the students pick a topic that interests them.
'We've had everything from the moon and moon landings to the search for extra-terrestrial life,' she said.
Lawler said two-thirds of the people at the planetarium come with a date.
Shows are every Friday at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and are $1 per person. Tickets are available 15 minutes prior to each show.
Students who would like to participate in the BYU astronomy club are encouraged to come to the 4th floor of the ESC Wednesday night at 8 p.m.