Mall brings celestial photos to Dickinson

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Some of the world’s most phenomenal and majestic landmarks coupled with astronomical wonders are on display at Prairie Hills Mall in Dickinson.

Set against a backdrop of boldly colored walls and peacefully melodic music, globetrotting photography exhibit “The World at Night” (TWAN), features breathtaking photos ranging from celestial events to planets and stars and is designed to bridge science, art and humanity, according to the TWAN Web site.

A few photos were produced in a time-lapse format, taking a year to create.

Peggy O’Brien, mall manager, said she hopes the exhibit provides visitors with “an awareness and appreciation for the beauty of the world.”

In commemoration of Galileo’s telescopic discoveries 400 years ago, in excess of 140 countries are reveling in the International Year of Astronomy 2009, according to a mall press release.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Astronomical Union designated TWAN a special project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, according to TWAN’s website.

The mall is participating in the commemoration, but has added a personal twist to the exhibit, dubbing the event “Stars Over Prairie Hills Mall.”

O’Brien mailed letters to area schools, youth groups and service organizations inviting them to participate in a design-a-star project.

“They can create them however they want to do it,” O’Brien said.

The stars will then be used to construct a giant “star” mobile which will hang from the mall’s ceiling Construction of the mobile will continue to the end of October, O’Brien said.

O’Brien said she and Dickinson State University are working together to bring the university’s large telescopes to the mall parking lot with plans to shut off all the lights so visitors can see the sky’s nighttime wonders.

Visitors to the exhibit Theresa Allery and Jerry Cavanaugh, stood in awe, gazing at the photographs.

“It’s beautiful,” Allery said.

Located in the former Foot Locker store, “The World at Night” photography will be on display until Aug. 16.

For more information on the TWAN project, visit them on the Web at www.twanight.org

Tags: prairie hills mall, celestial photos, news, local