Test your solar intelligence Friday at Waubonsie planetarium

If you've visited the Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium, Director Stephanie Rybka likely has asked you what the brightest star is and you likely confidently told her, "the North Star."

Rybka will debunk that astronomical misconception and nine others today during the planetarium's Family Night event.

"Everyone always says the North Star and I'm not sure where that comes from. Maybe stories about it being used for navigational purposes helped perpetuate it," she said. "But the brightest star in the sky visible from Earth is Sirius, part of the constellation Canus Majoris, and it is never, ever, in the north."

Rybka said she's made notes of common misconceptions blurted out by children and adults alike during the hundreds of tours she hosts a year. And she's set aside tonight to set everyone straight.

"Size is also a big misconception because we all like to think of Earth, our home, as being huge," she said. "But in relation to the Milky Way and other planets in the solar system, we're actually pretty insignificant."

Weather permitting, a tour of the current night sky and highlights for summer stargazing will follow the second planetarium show.

Rybka said volunteers from the Naperville Astronomical Association will bring about a dozen different kinds of telescopes and host a Star Party starting at 8 p.m. Telescopes will be set up in the field west of the planetarium's parking lot.

The monthly Family Night at the planetarium has proved to be pretty popular.

"Last month we had a standing-room-only crowd and a great range of age groups," Rybka said. "We've gotten such a great response, I could never imagine turning anyone away."

If you goWhat: Family Night at the Waubonsie Valley High School PlanetariumWhen: 6 and 7 p.m. todayWhere: Waubonsie Valley Planetarium, 2590 Route 34, AuroraCost: $2 per seatInfo: planetarium.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=276