Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 1 Journal of the International Planetarium Society Vol. 34, No. 1 gramming in Sweden. Study Planetarium Pro- International Students March 2005 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 2

The Planetarian(ISN 0090-3213) is published quarterly by the International Planetarium Society. ©2005, Inter- national Planetarium Society, Inc., all rights reserved. March 2005 Vol. 34, No. 1 Opinions expressed by authors are personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions of the International Planetarium Society, its offi- cers, or agents. Acceptance of advertisements, announcements, or other material does Executive Editor not imply endorsement by the International Planetarium Society, its officers or agents. John Mosley The Editor welcomes items for consideration for publication. Please consult "Guidelines for Contributors" at www.GriffithObs.org/IPSGuidelines.html. The Editor reserves the Griffith Observatory right to edit any manuscript to suit this publication’s needs. 2800 E. Observatory Road Los Angeles, California 90027 USA (1) 323-664-1181 daytime phone Articles (1) 323-663-4323 Griffith fax 6 Playing with the History of Celestial Mechanics: A Play for Planetarians . . [email protected] ...... Michael J. Bossé and others Advertising Coordinator 15 An American Planetarian in Italy ...... John T. Meader Chuck Bueter 18 Suggested Nomenclature for Video Dome Production ...... Tom Callen 15893 Ashville Lane 20 Ryuichiro Goto, 1938 - 2004 Granger, Indiana 46530 USA 21 IPS/Eugenides Foundation Scriptwriting Competition ...... Steve Tidey (1) 574-271-3150 [email protected] Columns www.GriffithObs.org/IPSratesheet4.htm 25 Reviews ...... April S. Whitt 27 Forum: Favorite ...... Steve Tidey Membership 34 President’s Message ...... Martin George Individual: $50 one ; $90 two 36 Past-President’s Message ...... Jon Elvert Institutional: $200 first year; $100 annual renewal 38 Mobile News Network ...... Susan Reynolds Button Library Subscriptions: $36 one year 41 What’s New ...... Jim Manning Direct membership requests and changes of address to 48 International News ...... Lars Broman the Treasurer/Membership Chairman on next page. 55 Gibbous Gazette ...... James Hughes Back Issues of the Planetarian 60 Last Light ...... April S. Whitt IPS Back Publications Repository maintained by the Treasurer/Membership Chairman; Index of Advertisers

contact information is on next page Adler Planetarium ...... 17 Index Astro-Tec, Inc...... 47 A cumulative index of major articles that have Audio-Visual Imagineering ...... 23 appeared in the Planetarian from the first issue Bowen Technovations ...... 53 through the current issue is available online at Calgary Science Centre ...... 26 www.GriffithObs.org/planetarian_index.pdf Evans & Sutherland ...... outside back cover GOTO INC ...... 54 Final Deadlines Konica Minolta Planetarium Co. Ltd...... 24 and 33 March: January 21 Learning Technologies, Inc...... 59 June: April 21 R.S.A. Cosmos ...... inside back cover September: July 21 December: October 21 Scott Electric ...... 53 SEOS ...... 5 Sky-Skan, Inc...... centerfold Spitz, Inc...... 37 International Planetarium Society WWW home page: Zeiss A.G...... inside front cover www.ips-planetarium.org Planetarian journal WWW home page: www.GriffithObs.org/IPSPlanetarian.html

Associate Editors Cover: The Science Communication Master's Program Forum Last Light Reviews at Dalarna University in Sweden trains students from Steve Tidey April S. Whitt April S. Whitt all over the world for careers in science centers or plan- Gibbous Gazette Mobile News Network What's New etariums. Information on the program is available at James Hughes Susan Button Jim Manning www.sciencecommunication.se. See also p. 14. Photo: Per Broman. International News NASA Space News Lars Broman Anita Sohus

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I. P. S. Standing Committees

I. P. S. Officers President Past President (1) 703-750-5010 fax IPS Conference Committee IPS Awards Committee IPS Finance Committee - President, Past- Martin George Jon W. Elvert, Director [email protected] Martin George Jon Bell President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Launceston Planetarium Irene W. Pennington Planetarium Launceston Planetarium Hallstrom Planetarium Secretary Queen Victoria Museum Louisiana Art & Science Museum Treasurer and Membership Chair Queen Victoria Museum Indian River Community College Wellington Street 100 South River Road Shawn Laatsch Wellington Street 3209 Virginia Avenue Launceston, Tasmania 7250 Australia Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 USA P.O. Box 1812 Launceston, Tasmania 7250 Australia Fort Pierce, Florida 34981 USA 61 3 63233777 (1) 225-344-5272 Greenville, North Carolina 27835 USA 61 3 63233777 (1) 561-462-4888 61 3 63233776 fax (1) 225-214-4027 fax (1) 252-328-6139 office 61 3 63233776 fax [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (1) 252-328-6218 fax [email protected] [email protected] IPS Publications Committee President Elect Executive Secretary IPS Membership Committee Dr. Dale W. Smith Susan Reynolds Button Lee Ann Hennig Shawn Laatsch BGSU Planetarium, 104 Overman Hall Quarks to Clusters Planetarium P.O. Box 1812 Physics &Astronomy Dept. 8793 Horseshoe Lane Thomas Jefferson High School Greenville, North Carolina 27835 USA Bowling Green State University Chittenango, New York 13037 USA for Science and Technology (1) 252-328-6139 office Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 USA (1) 315-687-5371 6560 Braddock Road (1) 252-328-6218 fax (1) 419-372-8666 (1) 315-432-4523 (fax) Alexandria, Virginia 22312 USA [email protected] (1) 419-372-9938 fax [email protected] (1) 703-750-8380 [email protected] IPS Elections Committee I. P. S. Affiliate Representatives Steve Mitch, Chair IPS Web Committee Planetarium Alan Gould Please notify the Editor of any changes Association of Dutch Speaking Canadian Association of Science Japan Planetarium Society Russian Planetariums Association Benedum Natural Science Center Holt Planetarium on these two pages. Planetariums Centres Shoichi Itoh Zinaida P. Sitkova Oglebay Park Lawrence Hall of Science Chris Janssen John Dickenson, Managing Director Planetarium Ur Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 USA University of California Contact the Treasurer/Membership Chair Director, Europlanetarium Pacific Space Centre Suginami Science Education Center Pokhvalinskii S’Yezd 5-A (1) 304-243-4034 Berkeley, California 94720-5200 USA (1) 304-243-4110 fax (1) 510-643-5082 for individual member address changes and Planetariumweg 19 H.R. MacMillan Planetarium 3-3-13 Shimizu, Suginami-ku Nizhny Novgorod, 603 600 Russia general circulation and billing questions. 3600 Genk Belgium 1100 Chestnut Street Tokyo 167-0033 Japan (7) 831 2 30 51 51 [email protected] (1) 510-642-1055 fax +32 89 30 79 90 Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3J9 (81) 3 3396 4391 (7) 831 2 30 51 66 fax [email protected] +32 89 30 79 91 fax Canada (81) 3 3396 4393 fax [email protected] [email protected] (1) 604-738-7827 ext.234 [email protected] [email protected] www.europlanetarium.com (1) 604-736-5665 fax [email protected] [email protected] Southeastern Planetarium Associ- Armand Spitz I.Pla nP.eta riS.um EADducat iHOCon Fund Committees61 3 63233776 fax Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3J9 Association of French-Speaking Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society ation Finance Committee [email protected] Canada Planetariums Council of German Planetariums Paul Krupinski John Hare (1) 604-738-7827 ext. 234 Agnes Acker Dr. Andreas Haenel, 180 Crandon Blvd. Ash Enterprises IPS Education Committee IPS Outreach Committee (1) 604-736-5665 fax Observatoire de Strasbourg Planetarium des Museums am Mobile Dome Planetarium 3602 23rd Avenue West April Whitt Christine Shupla [email protected] 11, rue de l'universite Schoelerberg Buffalo, New York 14225 USA Bradenton, Florida 34205 USA Fernbank Science Center Arizona Science Center 67000 Strasbourg France Am Schoelerberg 8 (1) 716-681-0204 (1) 941-746-3522 156 Heaton Park Drive NE 600 East Washington Street 03 90 24 24 67 D 49082 Osnabrueck Germany [email protected] (1) 941-750-9497 fax Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA Phoenix, Arizona 85004 USA IPS Technology Committee 03 90 24 24 17 fax +49 541 560 0326 [email protected] (1) 678-875-7148 (1) 602-716-2078 Jan Sifner [email protected] +49 541 560 0337 fax Nordic Planetarium Association (1) 678-874-7110 fax (1) 602-716-2099 fax Planetarium Praha [email protected] [email protected] Lars Broman Southwestern Association of Plane- [email protected] [email protected] Observatory and Planetarium of Prague Dalarna University tariums Kralovska obora 233 Association of Mexican Planetariums European/Mediterranean SE 791 88 Falun Sweden Tony Butterfield IPS Full-Dome Video Committee IPS Planetarium Development Group CZ-170 21 Prague 7 Czech Republic Ignacio Castro Pinal Planetarium Association (46) 2310 177 Houston Museum of Natural Science Edward J. Lantz Ken Wilson +420 2 333 764 52 Torres de Mixcoac, A6-702 Dennis Simopoulos [email protected] One Hermann Circle Planetarium Consultant Ethyl Universe Planetarium +420 2 333 794 44 (Jan) C.P. 01490, México D.F. México Eugenides Planetarium www.planetarium.se/npa Houston, Texas 77581 USA Visual Bandwidth, Inc. Science Museum of Virginia +420 2 333 764 34 fax (52) (55) 55 24 51 50 Syngrou Avenue-Amfithea (1) 713 639-4637 P.O. Box 1367 2500 West Broad Street [email protected] (52) (55) 55 24 01 40 Fax Athens Greece Pacific Planetarium Association (1) 713 639-4681 fax 1290 Baltimore Pike, Suite 111 Richmond, Virginia 23220 USA www.planetarium.cz [email protected] (30) 1 941 1181 Gail Chaid, Director [email protected] Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317 USA (1) 804-864-1429 (30) 1 941 7372 fax Independence Planetarium (1) 484-467-1267 (1) 804-864-1560 fax Association of Spanish Planetariums [email protected] 1776 Educational Park Drive Ukranian Planetariums Association (1) 610-358-1689 fax [email protected] Javier Armentia San Jose, California 95133 USA Lydmila Rybko [email protected] Planetario de Pamplona Great Lakes Planetarium Association +1 408-928-9604 Kiev Republican Planetarium http://www.visualbandwidth.com IPS Portable Planetarium Committee Sancho Ramirez, 2 Chuck Bueter +1 408-926-9515 fax 57/3 Velyka Vasyikivska Street Susan Reynolds Button E-31008 Pamplona Navarra Spain 15893 Ashville Lane [email protected] 03150 Kiev Ukraine IPS History Committee Quarks to Clusters +34 948 260 004 Granger, Indiana 46530 USA +380 442 27 27 81 John Hare, IPS Historian 8793 Horseshoe Lane +34 948 260 056 (1) 574 271 3150 Planetarium Society of India +380 442 27 37 43 fax Ash Enterprises Chittenango, NY 13037 +34 948 261 919 fax [email protected] Professor S. Gopinath [email protected] 3602 23rd Avenue West (1) 315-687-5371 [email protected] Director-Astronomer Bradenton, Florida 34205 USA [email protected] [email protected] Great Plains Planetarium Association Daruna, (1) 941-746-3522 cio.com Jack Dunn 80, Kathatorn Road (1) 941-750-9497 fax IPS Professional Services Committee Ralph Mueller Planetarium Amper Muang, [email protected] Mike Murray Australasian Planetarium Society University of Nebraska- Lincoln Ratchaburi- 70000. Thailand Clark Planetarium Glen Moore 210 Morrill Hall +66 323 26156 IPS Job Information Service Subcommittee 110 South 400 West Planetarium, Science Centre Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0375 USA [email protected] (Professional Services Committee) Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 USA University of Wollongong (1) 402-472-2641 [email protected] Steve Fentress (1) 801 456 4949 Northfields Ave, (1) 402-475-8899 fax Strasenburgh Planetarium (1) 801 456 4928 fax IPS Permanent Mailing Address Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia [email protected] Rocky Mountain Planetarium Rochester Museum & Science Center [email protected] +61 2 4286 5000 Association 657 East Avenue International Planetarium Society +61 2 4283 6665 fax Italian Planetaria’s Friends Jim Manning Rochester, New York 14607 USA IPS Script Contest Committee c/o Taylor Planetarium [email protected] Association Taylor Planetarium (1) 585-271-4552 ext. 409 Steve Tidey Museum of the Rockies http://home.vicnet.net.au/~apsweb Loris Ramponi Museum of the Rockies (1 )585-271-7146 fax 58 Prince Avenue Montana State University National Archive of Planetaria 600 W. Kagy Blvd. [email protected] Southend, Essex, SS2 6NN England British Association of Planetaria c/o Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino Bozeman, MT 59717 United Kingdom 600 W. Kagy Blvd. Teresa Grafton Zani +1 406-994-6874 IPS Language Committee [email protected] Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA London Planetarium via Bosca 24, C.P. 104 [email protected] Martin George Marylebone Road 25066 Lumezzane (Brescia) Italy Launceston Planetarium Strategic Planning Committee IPS Web Site London NW1 5LR England United (39) 30 87 21 64 Queen Victoria Museum John Dickenson www.ips-planetarium.org Kingdom (39) 30 87 25 45 fax Wellington Street H.R. MacMillan Planetarium 44 (0) 20 7487 0243 www.planetaritaliani.it Launceston, Tasmania 7250 Australia Pacific Space Centre 44 (0) 20 7465 0923 fax [email protected] 61 3 63233777 1100 Chestnut Street Teresa.Grafton@madame- tussauds.com Produced at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California; www.GriffithObs.org/IPSPlanetarian.html

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planetarium professionals are seduced by Editor’s Keyboard new technologies into producing costly movies about the sky. Even if done well, they planetarium, it was a planetarium show. I don’t seem to make the actual sky we see at couldn’t believe a person could be so wrong, night more accessible and more familiar or – but that was his opinion against mine. in my opinion – to make people want to go So what is a planetarium show – other outside and look up. than anything that happens to be presented I honestly don’t know what a planetarium in a planetarium theater? show is. There’s certainly not one correct I know what planetarium shows were orig- answer. I do know that, when I was produc- inally. They were demonstrations of the pro- ing and presenting planetarium shows, I jection equipment, and they were about would sometimes ask the waiting audience objects and motions in the sky. Titles could what they came to see. It was invariably the be simple (“Reasons for the Seasons,” “The real sky – the current sky with its array of of Spring”), but they were faithful to a constellations and planets. These people principle. People came to be charmed by the came with a specific want, and ironically stars and the night sky and they got what that is precisely what we are equipped to do was advertised. superbly well and better than anyone else – In recent years, and at an accelerating rate, especially with a live presenter. people are presenting movies under the So I wonder, if by presenting automated What is a planetarium show? I’ve been dome. Although the movie’s theme may be shows designed to run for years and which wondering about this recently. Actually, I’ve tied to the stars, the execution builds in an necessarily lack flexibility, we are giving our wondered about it for a long time, but recent inherent remoteness from the real sky that audience what they come for, and if we are developments have me thinking about it the audience might see later that night. The doing what most distinguishes us from our even more. stars may be referenced, and even specific competition – which we do better than any- About 20 years ago I saw a show at a major ones identified, but in a generalized, abstract one else. Are we playing to our strength? planetarium that was about the ocean. The sky for an arbitrary season, and not the sky Perhaps someone has done a recent survey stars weren’t even alluded to. I asked the they will see that night from their own back- of what audiences think a planetarium show director of that planetarium what made that yards. The moon and planets often are not should be and what expectations they bring. particular show a “planetarium” show, and even included. If so, I’d be interested to know. he replied that, because it was presented in a At recent conferences I’ve seen the trend:

Each short issue of the Planetarian 25 years not so much like a container to be filled up ago was packed with information, and the 25 Years Ago with knowledge as like clay which may be “Spring 1980” issue was no exception. and must be remolded.” After a discussion of Walter Bisard of Central Michigan Univer- of mercantilism and the pioneer spirit. A how children hold ideas acquired from wher- sity offered three pages of guidelines to fol- classroom activity involved interpreting the ever, she ends by offering specific hints for low when “Designing an Experimental United Nations Treaty Governing the Activi- planetarium educators who present school Research Project in a Planetarium.” His basic ties of States on the Moon and Other Celestial shows. advice is as reasonable now as in 1980. Most Objects (the text is reprinted). Other topics Jack Dunn’s Sky Notes suggested how to of his bibliographic entries came from earlier include space wars and public attitudes turn yourself into a one-person chorus by re- issues of the Planetarian or from IPS confer- toward and environmental impacts of solar recording your voice on a multi-track tape ences. power satellites. The article was written dur- recorder. He also discussed new record Andrew Fraknoi followed with two of his ing the height of rivalry with the Soviet albums, especially those by the new group signature annotated bibliographies in nine Union and is somewhat dated in this regard. Fresh Aire. pages of references to “interdisciplinary Next, Roger Grossenbacher of Lancaster, In Creative Corner, Gary Finley of the approaches to astronomy” which included Ohio, proposed “A Snappy Opening for Your Queen Elizabeth Planetarium described in astronomy in literature, art, music, anthro- Black Holes Show.” The text is a little over detail how to create a circuit to modify a pology, philately, philosophy, etc., and to the top for me (“The Black Hole is a solitary zoom slide projector to maintain a constant “debunking pseudoscience” which included predator … In all the dark corners in the brightness and rate of motion as the object ancient astronauts, the Jupiter effect, Sirius B, whirlpool of our a million hun- zooms in. Jan Paul Dabrowski then described Uri Geller, etc. gry creatures wait …”). Scary! “A Projector Depicting Keplerian Lawrence Wolken of Texas A&M Universi- Jeanne Bishop, who for a time contributed Motion” in a one-page article with four equa- ty wrote on “Exploration and Colonization: worthy articles on a regular basis, wrote tions and one diagram. His projector depicted Then, Now, and in the Future” in a summary about “Children’s Ideas of Space” in her Focus a spinning nebula where the inner portions of notes he had prepared for workshops for on Education column. This installment is spin faster than the outer, as in the nebula history teachers to bring space into history superb and very much worth rereading. In out of which our solar system was born and lessons. He compared current space explora- her first paragraph she wrote, “… The Piage- in a spiral . tion with exploration in the past, offering tian technique of detailed interviews with James Brown’s What’s New reviewed the suggestions for classroom activities. The 10 individual children reveals more than ‘I don’t goals of automation systems of different lev- pages included a quick review of coloniza- know’ reactions to different basic concepts. els of complexity, focusing on the Commer- tion of the New World with the question of Children have notions about most things cial Electronics system. how long it will take to colonize “space” (pre- which have some basis in their environment, Jane’s Corner concluded a 36-page (includ- sumably the moon or a planet), and the value and these notions must be modified for scien- ing covers) issue. C tific learning to take place. A child’s mind is

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Plays have had a fertile heritage within The play writing process was found to al and theological debates surrounding Playing with the History of Celestial the history of mathematics and science. have two primary uses. First, the develop- respective scientific discussions. All too fre- Arguably, one of history’s most influential ment of the play required the synthesis of quently, historic personalities are recognized the Two Chief Systems of the plays may have been Dialogue Concerning great volumes of scientific, mathematical, by modern students as inert rather than ani- World - Ptolemaic and Copernican Mechanics: A Play for Planetariums This play seeks to open the investigation of the mated and conjoined with the history of celestial mechanics by allowing seminal Zeitgeist of their day. It is hoped Michael J. Bossé, David Morrison, Stephen Williams, Brandi Nowakowski, (1632) by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). that this play will vivify a his- Publications from mathematics historic participants to discuss their ideas with toric investigation encountered Kristin Arrigenna, Laurie Davis* and science education reform others who may have predated or postdated them by many secondary mathemat- efforts repeatedly promote the ped- by a millennium or more. Through a feat of cos- ics and science students. Static diagrammatic or tex- Abstract astronomy as the product of agogical and epistemological value mic intervention, seminal participants are free to The bulk of the dialog within tual representations of com- the collision of many contra- Secondary and university students are perennially of writing for both learning and debate each other’s position in person. These dis- this play is necessarily fictitious. plex scientific and philosophic bombarded with confusing historic theories regarding dictory ideas through history assessment (NCSE, 1995; NCTM, Some lines, however, are adapt- concepts rarely adequately and come to further appreci- cussions bring light to the historic cultural and celestial mechanics. Most textbook discussions are 2000, 1995, 1991, 1989). The ap- ed from statements directly portray the depth of the ideas ate the science we have come proach to teaching and learning theological debates surrounding respective scien- attributable to the seminal being investigated and the guided by either strict historic chronology or conceptu- to know today. through both role playing and play tific discussions. characters. Since some of these ingenuity of the notions’ pro- al frameworks and are generally devoid of the historic Astronomy educators, no writing is not novel; both practices quotations are relatively well genitors. Today, through expe- philosophical and theological developments which less than educators in any have been touted as valuable activities for philosophic, theological, and biographical known, and so as to avoid altering the flow riences previously unavailable accompanied the work of the respective scientists. other field, must understand the learning of mathematics and science information. This allowed students to con- of the play, precise citations and references to students, stationary and the pedagogical ramifications Without an understanding of theological and philosoph- ideas (Bonnet, 2000; Duveen & Solomon, struct a thorough understanding of salient for these specific quotations are not provid- mobile planetariums have sig- of various student learning 1994; Francis & Byrne, 1999; Harwood, factors affecting the historic development of ed within the play. nificantly enhanced astrono- ical debates concurrent with scientific hypotheses and styles and must provide edu- McKinster, Cruz & Gabel; 2002). Play writing the topic. Second, students in other classes my education, as students are discoveries, the significance of the scientific discus- cational experiences which and role-play may be particularly valuable who later read the play were introduced to a References now more able to visualize and sions becomes hollow. In the form of a play, this paper best correlate to student learn- in assisting students to learn more esoteric novel and interesting rendition of the mate- Bonnet,The InternationalC. The relevance Union of role of playingBiological in comprehend celestial move- seeks to provide an understanding of the science, ing. In conjunction with excit- concepts. Recently, both methodologies rial. In the format of a play, the material environmentalSciences Commission education. for Biological Proceedings Educa- of ment and mechanics. How- ing excursions to planetari- philosophies, and theological viewpoints which sur- have been used to make mathematics and became animated and inspired far more tion ever, while astronomical inves- ums, astronomy educators science more understandable to students interest than previous encounters of static tigations via planetariums are rounded scientists in their historic work. This fictitious may choose to enhance stu- (Bossé & Nandakumar, 1998; Duveen & Solo- encyclopedic facts. (IUBS-CBE): International Symposium educationally rewarding, stu- dialog seeks to open the investigation of the history of dents understanding of com- mon, 1994; Francis & Byrne, 1999). The Cosmos Corner and other plays can on Biological Education, IUFM Versailles, dents still often fail to grasp celestial mechanics by allowing seminal historic partici- plex scientific theories by hav- The Experience of This Project. act as models for teacher and students for Centre de Cergy, France, 15-18 May, 2000. the historic evolution of our pants to discuss their ideas with others who may have ing students participate in a The following play was written as a col- creating new plays to study other mathe- Bossé, Michael J.; Nandakumar, N. R. (1998). current theories of celestial play which addresses funda- Calculus Ideas Generated through Cooper- predated or postdated them by a millennium or more. laboration between five students and the matic and scientific concepts. For teachers mechanics. Often lost within mental concepts. In the for- instructor in a college History of Mathe- considering the assignment of play writing ativeter Education Learning. Mathematics and Compu- historical, biographical, and characters and their respective notions can mat of a play, some students matics course. The assignment was initially in their classes, it should be understood that Vol 32, No. 1, 52-61. scientific prose are the nuances of philosoph- be investigated in a novel, meaningful, and who may be generally less interested in sci- intended to assist those students master the the task is profoundly more difficult than Duveen, J. and Solomon, J. (1994). The great ic and religious thought which were founda- enlightening manner and can reintegrate the entific investigations may serendipitously morass of culture, science, mathematics, reli- other forms of instruction and investigation evolution trial: Use of role-play in the tional for the development of continually history of science with the philosophical learn equivalent materials. Plays can simulta- gion and philosophy within the develop- and that this difficulty is only eclipsed by classroom.Teaching Journal of Research in Science newer and more accurate theories. Through and religious world through which it devel- neously resurrect historical topics and ani- ment and evolution of theories of celestial the depth of student understanding that Vol. 31, No. 5, 575-582. the use of a play, the interplay of historic oped. Students can come to see modern mate student interest. mechanics. Group planning and delineation ensues. Francis, P.J. and Byrne, A.P. Use of Role-play- In addition to the many classroom tech- of individualized investigatory tasks led The Purpose of The Cosmos Corner Play. ing in Teaching Undergraduate Astron- Astronomical Society of Australia niques used by astronomy educators (mod- each student to study people, ideas, and Theories regarding celestial mechanics omy and Science. Publications of the * Michael J. Bossé is an Associate Professor of Brandi Nowakowski taught seventh-grade els, multimedia presentations, simulations), events associated with the topic; thus, each have been a significant part of human intel- Vol. 46, Mathematics Education. Department of and high school mathematics for eight it is suggested that astronomy educators use student wrote individual reports and became lectual and cultural evolution for more than No. 2, 203-211. Mathematics and Science Education, Col- years, has earned a Masters Degree, and cur- planetariums in conjunction with plays; this expert in certain aspects of the study. two millennia. Often secondary grade stu- Harwood, W.S., McKinster, J.G., Cruz, L. and lege of Education, East Carolina University, rently teaches Mathematics in the Academ- multi-pronged pedagogical practice will Through frequent group meetings, students dents find the plethora of scientific theories Gabel, D. (2002). Acting out science. Greenville, North Carolina 27858; bossem@ ic Challenge Program at a Community address a wider variety of student learning hashed out hypothetical dialogs constructed which have been developed by noted Journal of College Science Teaching Vol. mail.ecu.edu; (252) 328-6219. College. Delaware Technical & Community styles and may develop greater enthusiasm upon their findings. Although the student- philosophers, scientists and mathematicians 31, No. 7, 442-447. College, Owens Campus, P.O. Box 610, among all students to continue their own authors found this task much more challeng- to be a tangled and nearly undecipherable National Committee on Science Education David H. Morrison has a MS in Middle Level Georgetown, Delaware 19947; bnowako2@ Science Education Standards studies of astronomy. The following play ing than they had anticipated, they took knot. Added to the complexity of simple sci- Standards and Assessment, National Re- Education with certification in Secondary college.dtcc.edu; (302) 856-5400, ext. 9800. can be formally performed either before or great pleasure as they saw separate compo- entific theories are cultural and theological search Council [NCSE] (1995). National Mathematics and Secondary School Leader- after classroom visitations to a planetarium. nents and ideas become integrated. The par- interactions which exponentially compli- . National ship and is currently working as an Assistant Kristin Arrigenna has a BS in Accounting However, contingent upon space and time ticipating student-authors reported the pro- cate the study. Without an understanding of Academic Press Principle. Smyrna High School, 500 Duck and a MA in Teaching and currently teaches constraints, the greatest benefit may occur cess of collecting, analyzing, and synthesiz- theological and cultural debates concurrent Nationalevaluation Council standards of Teachers for school of Mathe- mathe- Creek Parkway, Smyrna, Delaware 19977; high school Mathematics. Sussex Technical when the play is performed by students dur- ing data into the usable, coherent, and user- with scientific hypotheses and discoveries, matics [NCTM] (1989). Curriculum and [email protected]; (302) 653- High School, 17099 County Seat Highway, matics ing their visit to a planetarium. This can be friendly form of a play to have been instru- the significance of the scientific discussions 8581. P.O. Box 351, Georgetown, Delaware 19947; accomplished as a simple reading or with mental in assisting them to master the com- becomes hollow. . Reston, VA: The National Council [email protected]; (302) 856- minimal props (tables and chairs). Or, if visu- plex material. Prompted by the instructional This play seeks to open the investigation of Teachers of Mathematics. Stephen Williams is retired from the United 0961. als were located/created and the dialogue success of this endeavor, the play was later of the history of celestial mechanics by National Council of Teachers of Mathe- States Air Force and is presently completing dards for teaching mathematics prerecorded, the play could be turned into a used to teach the historical development of allowing seminal historic participants to dis- matics [NCTM] (1991). Professional stan- a BS in Mathematics Education at Delaware Laurie Davis is currently an Adjunct Faculty planetarium show. celestial mechanics in sections of History of cuss their ideas with others who may have . Reston, State University, 222 Winfred Dr., Felton, member teaching Mathematics. Depart- Mathematics and Liberal Arts Mathematics predated or postdated them by a millenni- VA: The National Council of Teachers of Delaware 19943; [email protected]; (302) ment of Mathematics, Delaware State Uni- The Cosmos Corner in a novel and fresh manner. Herein, the play um or more. Through a feat of cosmic inter- Mathematics. 284-2817. versity, 1200 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, Dela- was used as both a read-only homework vention, seminal participants are free to National Council of Teachers of Mathema- ware 19901; [email protected]; (302) for school mathematics Play Development and Purpose assignment and acted out as a play by stu- debate each other’s position in person. These tics [NCTM] (1995). Assessment standards 857-7051. Writing Plays. dent actors. discussions bring light to the historic cultur- . Reston, VA: The

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ward to see

National Council of Teachers of Mathe- egomaniacal, and argumentative. But his sin- Hawking is often recognized as the greatest must be here for the conference. Do you and the retrograde motion of the planets sur- ) I believe you are Claudius matics. gle-mindedness, enormous self-confidence, mind in physics since Albert Einstein. have an invitation? rounding ours. My theory provides an expla- Ptolemaeus.impressed by ( Aristotlethe newcomer’s and Ptolemy discernment. nod, National Council of Teachers of Mathe- and strident belief in the rightness of his Desiring to discover the deepest workings of STRANGER (handing invitation): Yes, but … nation: Earth is slightly off-center, mimick- dards for school mathematics Newcomer signals to the Bartender. matics [NCTM] (2000). Principles and stan- arguments, allowed him to stand against the universe, he has an uncanny ability to where am I and what’s this about? ing an ellipse. Also, if we allow the center of ) Drink, . Reston, VA: opposition and harden his position even in communicate complex and mysterious mat- BtheAR TinvitationENDER (ignoring aloud last question, reading the epicycle to move at a constant angular please! (bartender sits drink down and man gulps due to his surprise that he is correct The National Council of Teachers of the face of death by fire, the usual punish- ters to the general public. Raised in London, ): “Your attendance is speed around a third point on the opposite ) Mathematics. ment for heretics. his educational career was extraordinary. required at the opening of the first annual side of the deferent, one can predict the posi- Your astronomical theories and explanations JOHN CALVIN (1509 – 1564) A reticent man, Although stricken with Lou Gehrig’s disease Cosmos Corner … your host, ‘Grand Ole tions of the planets much more accurately. dominated scientific thought until my day. he rarely expressed himself in the first per- and confined to wheelchair and voice syn- Debate’”. You’re in the right place. That gen- Allowbegins me. to Ptolemyroughly reaches sketch for out a napkinhis theory. and BARTENDER (interrupting) He is from the The Play son singular. This reserve contributed to his thesizer, he remains active. tleman at the end of the bar (pointing) is also Projected upon a wall is a diagram of 16th Century. Ch NEWCOMER aract reputation as cold, intellectual, and unap- a guest. Others will be arriving soon. Ptolemy’s universe. (to Ptolemy) You’ll be happy er No Characters descriptionstes offered are intended proachable. However, friends simultaneous- Sce The action takes place in a dusty, rus- Stranger meanders to where the other man is to know that you are also remembered for ne: attention is focused on Ptolemy’s pictures to provide a glimpse into the personalities, ly recognized his talent for friendship and tic pub in the near future. Three or four sitting, and speaks to the man. your contributions to the fields of mathe- In the background, another man enters (with and notes. rather than the scientific achievements of his hot temper. The need for personal and round tables each adequate to comfortably STRANGER Good sir, can you explain the matics, optics and geography. (Aristotle’s invitation visible) the bar and is instructed as these men. environmental control, often associated seat approximately four to six people are meaning of this request and by what means I before by the bartender. BARTENDER: Artistic license creates a with Calvinists, can be understood as a func- near the front of the stage. A light fixture arrived in this strange place? ) young, hard-working, witty individual who tion of Calvin’s own anxiety and bouts of hangs over each table. A bar sit further back, MAN AT BAR I cannot. I am as confounded ARISTOTLE What you propose makes per- PTOLEMY What is the 16th Century? And is willing to help even the most peculiar doubt. near an entryway. Four to six stools are as you. My name is Aristotle; I live in Athens. fect mathematical sense. I continue to be who might you be? strangers, unfazed by their out-of-era appear- ROBERT CARDINAL BELLARMINE (1542 – placed in front of the bar. Apart from the STRANGER I once read of a great philoso- troubled, though, by some facets of the NEWCOMER My name is Nicolaus Coperni- ance and language. 1621) Born to a noble family, Robert Bellar- characters, the bar is empty of patrons. The pher by that same name from that same hypothesis. Sir – cus, from Poland. My life’s work is devoted ARISTOTLE (384 BC – 322 BC) A kindly, mine was well-read in both Copernicus and bar is uncharacteristically quiet with no region. The newcomer apprehensively walks toward to the very subject you have been feverishly affectionate character. Most accounts dimin- Galileo and understood the mathematical music or activity. For audience instruction, a ARISTOTLE May I be the one of whom you the pair. discussing. ish the self-importance that some scholars foundations within the writings of each. He projection screen is located over the bar (for speak? NEWCOMER Gentleman, if I may ask of ARISTOTLE I am not aware of this “Poland.” infer from his works. Tradition characterizes deeply believed that the Bible was literal, projections of drawings); characters in the STRANGER (laughing) Certainly not. The your assistance – I am certain, then, that your research can him with speaking with a lisp and constant- God-given truth. play will not notice the screen or the projec- scholar I mentioned died nearly 400 years PTOLEMY (to the man) One moment, if you confirm that the solar system moves as I pro- ly attentive to fashion. While articulate, POPE URBAN VIII (1568 – 1644) Born Maffeo tions. Prior to the beginning of the play, all before my birth. His brilliant notions were please. (Back to Aristotle.) Please understand, pose. lucid in his lectures, and persuasive in con- Barberini, Pope Urban VIII entered the priest- stage lights are dimmed. the basis for some of my greatest research. Aristotle, that my work does not contradict COPERNICUS Well, unfortunately, your versation, history records his discourses as hood through a politically powerful family. son, just voice ARISTOTLE (smugly) And what research is yours; it simply provides answers to ques- groundbreaking work is now somewhat encapsulated within a mordant wit. His An accomplished man of letters, Maffeo Scene I that? tions which in your day were yet unasked. I dated. I developed a more radical, yet more numerous enemies characterized him as Barberini published several volumes of verse NARRATION PRIOR TO LIGHTS UP (no per- STRANGER I published a work called agree that Earth is the central body, about explicable, conjecture. arrogant and overbearing. and was recognized for his great knowledge ) Space; the sun; the moon; the Almagest. Certainly you have heard of it. In which the remainder of the heavenly bodies ARISTOTLE Nothing could be as radical as CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY (100 AD – 170 AD) and for his love of art and literature. Ad- night sky. For over two millennia, we have it I constructed a mathematical model of revolve. However, in your model, the expla- the developments this day has wrought. Ptolemy is oft vilified for inventing a cosmo- miring Galileo’s intelligence and sharp wit, a wondered. Who, or what created the uni- planetary motion. In fact, I fused my model nation of varying planetary brightness and PCopernicusTOLEMY Are nods. you saying Aristotle that yousnobbishly dispute logical system so intellectually sound that it strong friendship developed between the verse? Why does it, or we, exist? Since its with the cosmology and physics of Aristotle, retrograde motion cannot be accommodat- ourchuckles. models of the universe? (Acquiescing, was scientifically unassailable for nearly two until 1633. beginnings, mankind has investigated the refining some of his original findings about ed. 1500 years! One extremely critical commen- JOHANNES KEPLER (1571 – 1630) As a sickly cosmos in order to understand our place in the universe. Namely, I proposed that the The newcomer is seen staring at Aristotle ) tary, The Crime of Claudius Ptolemy, went child, Kepler was unable to regularly attend the universe. planets travel in epicycles, not perfect and Ptolemy with disbelief, but listening ARISTOTLE (laughing also) My good man, so far as to allege that Ptolemy could only school. An attack of smallpox nearly killed From antiquity, the relationship between spheres as he originally maintained. intently. not only does our system adequately invent such a system using faked data. him and left him with crippled hands and science and theology has been turbulent. For ARISTOTLE (somewhat impatient) Sir, I AM ARISTOTLE What you propose may help describe celestial motion which is anchored NICOLAUS COPERNICUS (1473 – 1543) Well impaired vision. He once contemplated nearly an entire millennium, all astronomi- that man of whom you speak. How dare you explain some minor details, but it may take by the earth as its center, but God, the Crea- versed in many fields, including medicine, entering the Lutheran ministry, but refused cal research had to agree with the biblical alter my work, which is of utmost sound- some time for your new ideas to supersede tor of all, has ordained it. The Creator cannot finance, and optics, Copernicus moved in due to the Lutheran’s strong opposition to interpretation promulgated by Holy Roman ness?! mine. My theory is based upon a system of be removed from the creation. the highest circles of social, political, and Copernicanism. Catholic Church – the earth remained stable STRANGER (eyes wide and aghast) Sir, I logic and observations. COPERNICUS Of that I am well aware. In religious standing. However, self-abasing in PIERRE-SIMON LAPLACE (1749 – 1827) and was the center of the universe. To this deeply apologize if I have offended you. I The wanderer takes a seat on a stool next to fact, it was the connection of science and his private medical practice, he was known Evolving from relatively humble origins in day, religion and science remain at logger- am, however, having difficulty digesting the Aristotle. religion which set the stage for the struggle to serve the poor gratis. Upon his return to Normandy, history unkindly recognizes heads over celestial mechanics regarding the events of this day. If indeed you are the great PTOLEMY Again, I am not trying to dimin- which I endured. Poland, after studying in Italy, he spent the Laplace as a self-serving scientist. Immodest Big Bang versus creation. Utilizing the beliefs Aristotle, this day is all the more troubling. ish any of your foundational principles. ARISTOTLE (sarcastically) This should be rest of his life as a physician, lawyer, and about his abilities and achievements, he and personalities of seminal characters with- My name is Claudius Ptolemy, from Alex- However, much of your work seemed to be interesting. We know that science and reli- church administrator. As a recreational pur- wished it to be widely known that he con- in the development of historic cosmological andria. I repeat, IF you are whom you say, based simply on what others had previously gion cannot disagree. suit, he continued his research in astronomy. sidered himself the best mathematician in theories, this play hypothesizes a discussion then I owe you the utmost respect, for it is said on the matter. COPERNICUS Your models for celestial Initially, his perfectionism hindered his France. Unfortunately, he failed to foresee which could transpire if these people all met you after whom I modeled my work. ARISTOTLE How dare you! While I do not mechanics, with Earth as center, have desire to publish his theories. the effects his attitude would have on his at one moment of time. ARISTOTLE Very well. Now, if you have deny that any scientist and philosopher become known as geocentric theories, for GALILEO GALILEI (1564 – 1642) Galileo’s L colleagues. ights indeed extensively studied my work, then must entertain the notions of others, MY obvious reasons. However, since navigation, up to abrasive, confrontational, and argumenta- ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879 – 1955) One of the ty. illum you know why the universe is spherical and ideas are based on my own theories and the calendar, and holy observances, which inate tive personality, exacerbated by an aura of the s most recognized scientists of the twentieth tage a finite. The sphere is the most perfect shape. observations. depended on heavenly positions, were nd ac arrogance, created, and gave ammunition to, century, Albert Einstein’s theories altered The BARTENDER is busy cleaning and tstock-ivi- God would not create anything less than NEWCOMER Gentleman, if I may … I’ve becomingAristotle increasingly less accurate, about his enemies who eventually worked to undo both the scientific and non-scientific views ing his supplies. A man in ancient garb is sit- perfect. The Earth is the center of this uni- been listening intently to your discussion. I 1800 years after your (nodding toward him. He eagerly baited scholars and clergy of the world and physical forces. A self-pro- ting at the far end of the bar from the verse. And as you know, a body with a center hope I have not been rude. Your conversa- ) model, there was a push to take into debates. In Galileo we see a brilliant and claimed agnostic, he constantly searched for entrance. Another man in similar dress wan- cannot be infinite. Here, let me show you. tion, however, causes me to believe that I another look at the cosmos. original scientist, known to most people for perfection in his work, which led to his dis- ders into the pub, bewildered and apparently Aristotle begins to draw a diagram on a nap- know both of you, or the characters whom PTOLEMY Come, now. You can’t throw out his controversial writings. However, his covery of general and specific relativity. He out-of-sorts. Already seated at the bar (or kin. Projected upon a wall is a diagram of youing atare Aristotle aping. Although your existence at good, sound theory because of ineptness in blunt persona effectively alienated many Aristotle’s universe. openly published his research and readily round table) is a similar looking man with this moment flies against every ounce of observation. people. shared it with others. Known as a humanist, his mug half-full. PTOLEMY I agree that Earth is the center of sound science or common sense, you (point- COPERNICUS Please, sir. Even a peasant, MARTIN LUTHER (1483 – 1546) History char- Einstein cared deeply for mankind. BARTENDER Welcome. May I help you? the universe. However, sir, your model falls ) are the great Greek philoso- untrained in celestial movement, can acterizes Luther as temperamental, peevish, STEPHEN HAWKING (1942 – ) Stephen (Stranger too confused to respond.) Oh, you short; it cannot explain the changing speeds pher and scientist Aristotle. And (leaning for- observe the movement of the Moon, stars,

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and planets. What I propose is a much sim- ets by distance together with period, with Scene II my theories show the true courses of planets doctrine. pler, heliocentric system, with the sun as thea napkin, actual distancewhich is to quickly each planet becoming linked rare, to Lights up, two men enter the pub, engaged in the simplestaround, way. spotlight fades the larger table to GALILEO (to Bellarmine, more calmly) Okay, center. (Aristotle chuckles at the thought.) theand size begins of the to Earth’s diagram orbit. his Copernicus theory. Projected grabs in a passionate deliberation. Focus goes to CALVIN Youblack begin and with focuses the assumptionon the man, which had I’ll give Brahe some credit; he developed a PTOLEMY I’m sorry, Nicolaus. Not only is upon a wall is a diagram of Copernicus’ uni- their discussion. that the heavens,just entered,God’s creation, and the are two simple? most recently seat- workable model for his day. However, he the basis of the geocentric model sound, but verse. MAN 1 (LUTHER) People gave ear to an You speak of scienceed men. and the heavens. So you MAN JUST ENTERED (nodding toward each) stated, “It is impossible to accept the earth’s it is even consistent with our knowledge of upstart astrologer who strove to show that believe in God? Cardinal. Pope. motion as long as nobody can produce new the Divine. the Earth itself revolves rather than the COPERNICUS Yes, and in the Bible also. I CARDINAL BELLARMINE (with a smirk) and stronger arguments to show clearly that COPERNICUS Yes, I understand that some COPERNICUS In this arrangement, we dis- heavens or the firmament, the Sun and the simply believe it was written by men in a Galileo. It’s been a long time. the violent motion is not prevented.” Based interpret the Bible and the Book of Joshua to cover a marvelous symmetry of the uni- Moon. This fool wished to reverse the entire style meant to avoid confusing the common POPE URBAN VIII Galileo, my old friend; I on the observations using my improved tele- speak of the Sun being halted in motion and verse, and an established harmonious link- science of astronomy and contradict the man. So it is written from man’s impressions hope time has healed your wounds, and that scope, MY observations do produce new and standing still. age between the motion of the spheres and and perspective, even regarding the move- we can still call each other ‘friend.’ stronger arguments! Holy Scripture. to Ptolemy ARISTOTLE Who is Joshua, and what is the their size, which can be discovered in no MAN 2 (CALVIN) As stated in Psalms 93: ment of the planets. (Turning his attention GALILEO Only God and time can heal the URBAN I warned you. I told you to treat Bible? other way. Thus we perceive why the direct “The world is firmly established; it cannot be ) It was through your teaching wounds caused by the persecution I suffered Copernicanism no more than as a hypotheti- COPERNICUS Joshua is one of the characters and retrograde arcs appear greater in Jupiter moved.” Who will venture to place the that I learned that scientists should interpret from your hands. However, I am less bitter cal construct. within a compendium of books considered and Saturn and smaller than in Mars, and authority of Copernicus above that of the nature in the simplest way using the mini- about my fate, than I am about you forbid- GALILEO How could I have been more toPtolemy be holy writ by a number of religions. Un- why this reversal in direction appears more Holy Spirit? mum number of hypotheses. This method ding science to move forward. hypothetical? Upon my request to teach the Great World Systems doubtedly, for its time (motioning towards frequently in Saturn than in Jupiter, and COPERNICUS (angrily, rising) Excuse me, led me to my discoveries. BELLARMINE Come now, you knew full Copernicanism, in 1616 Pope Paul V told me CALVIN ), your system’s accuracy was unri- more rarely in Mars and Venus than in gentlemen!shoulders inIf you snobbish will speak disbelief ill of me,that please he is Again, I do not agree with the pre- well before you published your Dialogue on that I could not. He was largely concerned to valed. However, the most accurate and mod- Mercury. Yet, none of these phenomena supposition that all of creation is simply and , that the Roman avoid Protestant criticisms that the Catholic dobeing so out challenged. of earshot. (Luther shrugs his ern tables of King Alfonso X demonstrated appear in the fixed stars. This proves their readily understood by man. Catholic Church would intervene. Church was “not Biblical enough.” Pope Paul error within your model. The mathematics immense height, which makes the annual ) I am Nicolaus Copernicus. LUTHER No evidence or rhetoric outside of Pope Urban keeps looking down towards the told me to abandon “the holding or defend- in the Almagest is both complex and exqui- parallax vanish from before our eyes. All Man 1 and Man 2 look at each other quizzi- the Bible will convince me that anything table, hesitant to look Galileo in the eyes. ing of that view.” So I … site and produces a model which is much these phenomena proceed from the same cally, eyes wide. but the Earth is the center of God’s creation. I GALILEO I hold no grudge toward the BELLARMINE (interrupting) So you went simpler. cause: the Earth’s motion. MAN 1 (LUTHER) YOU, are Nicolaus Coper- will not yield to this blasphemy. I think you Roman Catholic Church. She is also my and wrote the Copernican view anyway. PTOLEMY (angrily) I wholeheartedly believe PTOLEMY Nicolaus, during my time, people nicus? The man who chose to ignore that wish to appear clever, turning astronomy Church, and I desire no other. (to Urban) GALILEO (becoming annoyed and angry) So in the existence of God and His creative readily accepted dogma and absolute ideas, which is right and obvious for some half- upside down. What upsets me is having you, a friend, I returned to Florence, where I decided to enterprise. I doubt that you’ll convince me especially when reinforced by the religious baked astrological “theory”? ARISTOTLE (to Luther) While I do not agree abandon our friendship for political gain write the Dialogue, which would offer both of a sun-centered universe. I propose that no authorities who felt that such ideas were COPERNICUS I am, and what gives you the with your logic, I agree with your conclu- and public perception. sides equal time. Salviati played the Coperni- one can intelligently discus the heavens part of their domain. Are you saying that my right to speak so vainly? I have spent many sion. My good man, (speaking to Copernicus) URBAN (pleading) What would you have me can, Sagredo was the interested layman, and while disagreeing with Heaven itself. theory is entirely wrong? years studying the heavens. I suggest that un- you now have four minds, working as one, do? (Pointing at Bellarmine) He is our leading Simplicius was the Aristotelian. I didn’t take COPERNICUS Why do you believe that my COPERNICUS My new theory was rejected with whom to contend. You must see that theologian, and the Jesuits are becoming sides. less you have studied mathematics, physics tion. theory threatens your faith? Believe me gen- by most of my peers for several years, as and astronomy, you humble your tone. your model is simply untenable to the ratio- increasingly uneasy. (Seeing Galileo’s invita- URBAN (more forcefully) You took sides tlemen, I certainly empathize with your “merely hypothetical.” By the time I gained MAN 1 (LUTHER) And you should study the nal mind. ) We received the same invitation and when you made Salviati so clever and Sim- dilemma. In fact, my faith is also important; I the courage to publish my theory, I was Bible. A literal interpretation of the Scripture COPERNICUS I am quite acquainted with were pondering its meaning. plicius out to be a fool. You used Simplicius was a candidate for the priesthood. nearly dead … or so I thought. Which brings is quite straightforward. Science must submit encountering resistance to my theory. I BELLARMINE What is this strange place? to quote me and painted me a fool!! BsationARTE NintoDE Ra (frenzypurposely goading the conver- me to my most recent quandary … Nothing to Scripture and not Scripture to science. admit that my theory is revolutionary. Have we already left the living, and if we GALILEO But you, Father Riccardi, and oth- ) The Bible states: “In the can explain how the three of us can be hav- MAN 2 (CALVIN) (calmly) Mr. Copernicus, Nevertheless, it adequately answers our ques- have not, (to Galileo) aren’t you violating ers gave me permission to publish my beginning, God created the heavens and the ing this discussion. Have I died? Are we all I’d watch your tongue. You are now face to tions. the Church-sanctioned house arrest? Dialogue. universe … and God said ‘Let there be light’ dead? face with Martin Luther, leader of the Pro- ARISTOTLE As does mine. Although I do not GALILEO (sarcastically) Your Holiness, even BELLARMINE Riccardi only allowed it and there was light.” Why would God create ARISTOTLE I have no idea how this is occur- testant Reformation. yet know how, when, or where we are, I in this confusing moment, you attempt to because the license had already been grant- such a perfect orb – the Earth, the very dwel- ring, nor do I wish to entertain the possibili- COPERNICUS The Bible can be interpreted firmly believe that my cosmological posi- keep me under your thumb? Have we noth- ed! And besides, we all know he wasn’t well ling place of man, God’s created and adopted ties. But, if I may, something is troubling me. in many ways. As I’ve heard, a sect led by tion explains the physical construction of ing to discover in this moment? Will reli- versed in mathematics, of which the children – only to have it merely travel I am having difficulty keeping track of time. John Calvin has left the Church because the universe. I do not know of this Bible, but gious blindness again bully scientific Dialogue had no shortage. around another in the mediocrity of all the COPERNICUS My stomach tells me that it is their view of the Bible differed from that of it still seems as though it confirms my posi- inquiry? URBAN (slowly and deliberately) The Vati- other planets? nearly time for dinner. Catholicism. If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Luther, tion. BELLARMINE Galileo, you are a great schol- can records show that you were not to dis- COPERNICUS (impatiently) Again, I also ARISTOTLE Not the time of day, you sun- the same holds true with you. PTOLEMY I certainly believe that my model ar, scientist, and man. Why could you not cuss the Copernican doctrine at all, and if believe in God Almighty. I believe the centered fool! CALVIN I am John Calvin, and while I do is both mathematically and theologically leave well enough alone? Why couldn’t you you did you would be thrown in jail. psalmist who wrote, “The heavens declare COPERNICUS Oh, yes … of course. Approxi- not agree with some Roman Catholic theolo- sound. just accept the Dane’s model? GALILEO The Pope never said that!! the glory of God; And the firmament shows mately 1000 years after you walked the gy, I do know the Bible. Your scientific views CALVIN (sarcastically) And what of your GALILEO (chuckling) You mean Brahe? URBAN It seemed like you had deliberately His handiwork.” I also realize that my model earth, a venerable thought that the birth of clearly contradict God’s Word. heliocentric model? Tell us how well your Tycho Brahe? That hotheaded, truth-bend- broken the law and insulted me. How did may antagonize the religious beliefs of Jesus Christ – a man thought by some to be LUTHER I have also had a falling out with model describes the heavens. Although, I ing, poor excuse for a scientist? He sought you expect the Church to react? The motion many. (Aristotle & Ptolemy nod acquiescent- the Son of God – would be a good bench- wonder how much you really know about the best of both worlds. He claimed the other of the Earth was not the point. You had ly the Roman Church over it’s views on the ) Not only does my model explain a plan- mark for measuring time. Therefore, by most authority, inspiration, and interpretation of Heaven, or, better yet, if you’ll even get planets orbited the sun, but the sun and cheated, reneged on your own promises, and et’s occasional backward motion, but it also measures,tioningly you nods were toward born Ptolemy 384 BC, or 384 years the Bible. I have studied the Scriptures and there. Luther and Calvin laugh uncontrol- moon still circled a stationary earth. He broken your word! lably, while Aristotle and Ptolemy look explainsthe Revolutions why the of two the planets Celestial closest Orbs to the before the birth of Christ. (Aristotle ques- have recognized that there is no need for the explained the inconsistencies in planetary GALILEO (rising) Why don’t you get it?! away, chuckling. sun, Mercury and Venus, never seem to stray ) Most accu- Papacy in salvation. Through this same movement and size in Copernican terms, but (Loudly) It is time for science and religion to far from the sun in the sky. In my book On rate accounts place Nicolaus at roughly 100 method of literal interpretation, we know COPERNICUS I, too, wholeheartedly believe his model remained legal according to separate. (Lights come up on entire stage) – most to 150 years AD, Anno Domini, or, years after that my model is physically accurate. Aristotle. Reason, experiment, and mathematics are toward Ptolemy the Scriptures state that the Earth is the sta- of which was a technical mathematical the birth of Christ. And I was born in 1473 tionary center of all God’s creation. It is BELLARMINE While Brahe’s system was needed for the first, but faith and revelation work in the tradition of your (nodding AD. inconsistent to simultaneously believe in As the debate between the five men at the mathematically equivalent to Copernicus’ are required for the second. ) Almagest – my hypothesis ARISTOTLE & PTOLEMY (simultaneously) the movement of the Earth and in the Bible’s table continues, two men in similar dress, and was quite different from the Aristotelian states that the Sun is the center of the uni- Drink, please! teachings. engaged in a conversation not audible to the universe, it was much more acceptable to Each and every one of the earlier guests is verse and that the Earth has a triple motion Ligh COPERNICUS While clearly you have exten- audience, enter the pub. As they make their the Church. Brahe left Earth in the center now fully focused on the table of three. In ts dow around this center. I maintain the status of n, en and his system was consistent with d of sively studied the Bible, I assure you that I way to a separate, smaller table (invitations the background, another guest enters Scene circular motion. My system orders the plan- I. have studied the heavens. I have found that in hand), a third man enters. As he looks Aristotelian physics and Roman Catholic (Kepler) and sits alone at the bar. 10 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 11 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 12

LUTHER (standing) Gentlemen, come join years after Mr. Christ walked the earth? Scene III Through this rationale, fully understanding again … all this talk is heresy. God created a diagram of Kepler’s universe. us. I am Martin Luther. It sounds as if we’re CALVIN Here we go again! Has everyone LAPLACE Well of course, old-timer. And HvoiceAWKING (through a computer generated yesterday, today and tomorrow would be this world for man, so that he should have a involved in a similar debate. Although taken to a life of heresy? Has the Church so that’s Jesus Christ. (to self) The man acts like ) Gentlemen … allow me to interject. As rather simplistic. This theory of scientific beautiful place in which to live. Aristotle, Mr. Ptolemy, Mr. Calvin and little influence anymore that men can open- he’s from an entirely different millennium determinism of this variety held sway dur- HAWKING Your Holiness … we still believe at Galileo a great mathematician once said, “ Science myself (motioning towards each as he men- ly refute the Earth as the center of the or something. ing much of the 19th century. Could this that the universe should be logical and beau- tions them without religion is lame. Religion without ) disagree with you, sir (pointing Universe? As the conversation continues, a man is science is blind.” help explain how together we all simultane- tiful; we have only dropped the word “God.” ), I believe you’ll find an ally in Mr. URBAN Do you mean THE TRUE Church, or attempting to navigate his wheelchair Einstein perks up at this spoken quote. ously arrived here? GALILEO I do not feel obliged to believe that Copernicus. Please, sit. your newly formed religion which mocks through the doorway (visible to audience). BELLARMINE Who dare call the Church URBAN We have God’s word. Everything we the same God who has endowed us with Bellarmine, Urban, and Galileo make their our faith? Mind you, Mr. Calvin, that the Another man with disheveled hair offers to blind? Any man who questions the character need to know He has told us in the Scrip- sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to way to the larger table and take their seats. Roman Church recognizes your theological assist him. Lights dim on table, but not to of the Church is not a man of God. The tures. It is quite clear how the universe came forgo their use. BELLARMINE Thank you … this should positions as no less heretical than the theo- black, more light to pair in doorway. Now in Lord’s book tells us all we need to know to be. EINSTEIN In my opinion, ‘God was a mathe- prove interesting. I am Robert Cardinal ries presented in Galileo’s Dialogue. the pub, he turns his electric wheelchair to about our world and anyone who questions HAWKING Yes, the biblical story of creation matician.’ ‘The great book of nature can be Bellarmine. This is Pope Urban VIII, and here However, for now let us limit our debate to face the man and does a ‘double-take’, but the word of God is a reckless fool. does seem quite literal and comprehensible, read only by those who know the language I present, Galileo Galilei, the heretic. discerning what is right regarding our solar says nothing. Both men recognize that the HAWKING No, Your Holiness … you misun- but there are still many unanswered ques- in which it was written. And this language is Galileo lunges at Bellarmine (everyone system. tions. The main one being ‘Why were we cre- mathematics.’ (to Bellarmine) God did create other also has an invitation in hand. Einstein derstand. This great man was not defaming reacts, a drink or two is spilled) but is COPERNICUS You don’t care what’s right! ated?’ The answer would be the ultimate tri- a beautiful world for man. This mystery of pushes Hawking to the bar, and they pro- the Church; he was merely stating that the restrained by Urban and Copernicus. After You want us, the scientists, to force our umph of human reason. For then we would man’s origin is one of the greatest gifts he has ceed as others have. Focus back on table as Church could not turn its back to the order is restored, Kepler approaches the table. observations into a framework which will astounding discoveries of science. My name know the mind of God. given us. What would human existence be Einstein and Hawking approach and listen As he approaches, the remainder of the intro- also accommodate your religious presuppo- is Stephen Hawking. Before we go on, I CALVIN (Privately, whispering to Luther.) like if we knew all the answers? in. Strange stares come from members ductions are completed. sitions. Instinct and rationale compels us to would just like to say that your conversation We know why we were created, to glorify HAWKING (motioning to all) We have been already at table at Hawking’s contraption. KEPLER Good evening. I couldn’t help but explain what is happening in the skies above LAPLACE In the late 1780s, I set myself out to is most intriguing, and your costumes are and praise God. Unfortunately, the unregen- simultaneously given the gifts of under- overhear your introductions. If you are dis- us, not make it conform to a predetermined write a work which should offer a complete exquisite. You bear a striking resemblance to erate will never be able to understand this. standing and of curiosity. It is this curiosity cussing celestial mechanics, I believe that I theological position. solution of the great mechanical problem Nicolaus Copernicus. And you, if I didn’t HAWKING It is my privilege to tell you, whichbyists’ compelspronounce us theirto attempt agreement. to unlock the have some insight on the subject. My name GALILEO Hear, hear! Scripture tell us how to presented by the solar system, and bring the- know better, I’d take you for Galileo Galilei. Galileo, that in the 21st century, you are secrets of the universe. The heliocentric ‘lob- is Johannes Kepler, former assistant to Tycho go to heaven, NOT how the heavens go. ory to coincide so closely with observation regarded as one of the greatest astronomers cus gestures in an impatient, get-to-the-point And what do you think of Mr. Einstein, here? Brahe. In his quest to solve the planetary KEPLER If I may continue, I think you’ll see that empirical equations should no longer of all time. We even have space traveling BELLARMINE I refuse to accept anything manner (he laughs) mysteries, Brahe assigned me to decipher the that my model offers an equally harmonious find a place in astronomical tables. (Coperni- EINSTEIN Sir, I AM Albert Einstein. vehicles named after you. In fact, in 1992, that opposes the Bible. Furthermore God is orbits of Mars. As I later learned, this was a view of the perfection which God created. At LAPLACE (whispering) Someone forgot to Pope John Paul II exonerated you and recog- immutable ... unchangeable; which is more ploy to distract me from making my own first, I too was disgusted with my non-circu- monde ) In my Exposition du systeme du brush his powdered wig. nized the scholarship of your work. than we can say for man’s observations and advances regarding celestial mechanics. lar orbits. The circle is an archetypal symbol , my nebular hypothesis is articulat- HAWKING (confused) I don’t understand … Bellarmineguests turn and and Urban give Laplacecry out in a disbelief.look of con- rationale. You cannot attempt to alter God Although I did not necessarily agree with of harmony and perfection. Yet my elliptical ed. A nebula is any, of many, vast cloudlike Have I died? … Is this heaven? Ltempt.APLACE How many space objects are and His truths simply so that He and His Tycho’s system, it was his data which allow- orbits eventually revealed a scheme of celes- masses of gas or dust among the stars. GALILEO Well, if you ask me, it feels more named after Pierre-Simon Laplace? Some work may fit into your system. I pray for ed me to put forth my laws of planetary tial harmony more subtle and profound According to my hypothesis, the solar sys- like Hell. your godless souls. motion. than any that had been previously devel- tem has evolved from a globular mass of Urban and Bellarmine turn and give Galileo EINSTEIN Your Holiness, men like us contin- GALILEO I’d be very careful if I were you. If oped. I was fundamentally driven by my incandescent gas rotating around an axis a look of disgust. BELLARMINE This Pope of whom you speak ually seek to be in constant contact with you accept anything that contradicts religious convictions. God is present in the through its center of mass. As it cooled, this CALVIN None of us can explain it … yet we disgraces the Church! God. Furthermore, while we are trying to Scripture, you may not be welcomed by order and harmony of the Universe, and mass contracted and successive rings broke are all here together, somehow plucked from HAWKING Not at all. The Roman Catholic unlock the secrets of the universe are we not some. I regard my research as a loving duty Geometry represent the perfection of God. I offcore from its outer edge. These rings in their our lives. Church is alive and well in the 21st century. also trying to unlock God’s intentions for us? to seek the truth in all things, and they still am convinced that the five perfect solids of turn cooled, and finally condensed into the COPERNICUS We have been discussing cos- But, as I mentioned earlier, it is impossible As we weave our way through the complexi- fail to see the forest for the trees. Pythagoras are the framework of the spheres planets,projected while upon the a wall. sun represents the central mology, but cannot seem to agree on the for the Church to ignore the astounding dis- ties of nature we are forced to question and LUTHER I turned my back on the Roman of the planets. Each sphere is circumscribed , which is still left. Laplace’s diagram is coexistence of science and the Church. coveries of modern science. In my lifetime, also reflect on His creation and its greatness. Catholic Church … I’m used to being out- around one of the perfect solids. The next HAWKING Your Holiness, gentlemen … men and women regularly fly space shuttles You will hardly find one among us without at Copernicus toward Einstein numbered. sphere is inscribed by the faces of the solid. COPERNICUS (to Laplace) So, you also please take heed in the words which my dis- into outer space and have walked on the a peculiar religious feeling of his own. But it KEPLER Ironically, gentlemen, you (pointing The actual ratios of the spheres for the differ- believe in a heliocentric solar system? placed colleague once spoke. (Signaling moon numerous times. Pictures taken from is different from the religion of the naive shows disgust.) have been called the Luther ent solids can be arranged to crudely corre- LAPLACE (irritated, but calm) You simpleton ) He is considered to be one space have shown us the layout of the man; the scientist is possessed by the sense of of astronomy. And you, Luther, have been spond to the ratios of the planets’ orbits. … (snapping) OF COURSE!! of the greatest scholars of all time. galaxy. In fact, we have been able to prove universal causation. The future, to him is called the Copernicus of theology. (Luther That is why Geometry is God. BELLARMINE What, then, is God’s role? All the other men start to mumble their dis- that the universe is changing and expanding. every bit as necessary and determined as the ) I’m no stranger to religious LAPLACE (kicking his feet up on the table) enchantment to each other. EINSTEIN I don’t believed it! past. There is nothing divine about morality; persecution. Mr. Galilei, can we put our dif- Out of the offstage darkness, a man walks to After completing my work, I went to con- EINSTEIN (embarrassed) Please … I do not HAWKING It’s true. The notion that space is it is a purely a human affair. His religious ferences aside on the issue of tidal move- the table. vince the Emperor of France, Napoleon feel myself to be better than the other great expanding is a logical implication and exten- feeling takes the form of rapturous amaze- ments for the good of our cause this LAPLACE (snidely) You men speak of God?! Bonaparte, to accept a copy. Napoleon, who minds of history. On the contrary, I have sion of Einstein’s theory of gravity, which ment in the harmony of natural law. This evening? (tossing his invitation, folded as paper air- was fond of probing others through embar- admired and studied your collective works describes a simple but universal relationship natural law reveals an intelligence of such CALVIN You two know one another? plane, onto the table) I once told my emper- rassing questions, received it with the for years. I am deeply indebted to you all. I between space, time, and matter. But it was superiority that when compared to the syste- GALILEO We’ve communicated on a few or that I have no need of God in my origin of remark, “Monsieur Laplace, they tell me you find this whole experience very exciting. anEinstein implication in which even Einstein did matic thinking and acting of human beings occasions. (turning to Kepler) You did some the universe. Cosmology has nothing to do have written this large book on the system Through additional dimensions, I always not believe; in fact he tried to modify his … we are an utterly insignificant reflection. nice work as a Copernican, continue. with God. of the universe, and have never even men- believed transcending time was possible. theory to avoid this natural extension. (to This feeling is the guiding principle of a sci- KEPLER My first law, which is most relevant URBAN (jumping out of his seat) Blasphemy! tioned it’s Creator.” Although I was a supple URBAN Nonsense! God certainly did not ) Your theory of gravity enables us entist’s life and work and it is beyond ques- here,to the states geocentric that every model planet grumble follows and an shift oval- in Who speaks with such a heretical tongue? politician myself, I am stiff as a martyr on mean for us to move freely about time. to run the “movie” of the universe back- tion, closely akin to that which has possessed shapedtheir chairs. path around the Sun. (Those clinging Creation without a Creator?!? every point of my philosophy. I drew myself HAWKING It is impossible for us to say what wards. We can calculate the density that the the religious geniuses of all ages. LAPLACE I am Pierre-Simon Laplace, of uparrogantly and answered and uncontrollably bluntly, “Sire, in Ilaughter, had no plans God has for us or what mysteries He universe must have had in the past. The ) This oval-shape is an ellipse. In France. I studied many branches of science needwhile of the that other hypothesis.” guests stare Laplace at him, bursts and out,each has left for us to discover. Mr. Laplace, you result: any chunk of the universe we can Suddenly, the lights flicker and the door my model, the sun is located at one focus of and mathematics, but most of my original other, in amazement. yourself argued that, in theory, if mankind observe – no matter how large – must have swings open. Noises come from outside as if a the elliptical orbit. Here, let me show you. astronomical work took place in the late expanded from an infinitesimally small, but storm is coming. The men look at each other, End could know the position and speed of all the of sce Kepler brushes aside previous diagrams and 1700s. ne II. particles making up the universe, then it infinitely dense, volume. startled. begins to draw his own. Projected on a wall is ARISTOTLE You mean 1700, as in years. 1700 would be possible to predict the future. BELLARMINE I’ve said it once and I’ll say it 12 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 13 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 14

GALILEO It seems we are about to have inquiry into the history of science and . Washington, DC: Mathematical another guest. mathematics. ematics Association of America An American Planetarian in Italy LAPLACE Who on earth could it be now? E Kirk, H.E. (1932). Stars, Atoms, and God. nd of Play. HAWKING Maybe he (or she) is not from U.N.C. Press, North Carolina John T. Meader earth. Selected Bibliography for the Kuhn,revolutions T. (1970 ) The structure of scientific Play . Chicago: University of Chicago Director, Northern Stars Planetarium History and Philosophy Lights fade to black … Just as in the begin- Anglin, W. S. (1994). Mathematics: A Concise Press P.O. Box 302 ning of the play, it is pitch black with a pro- . New York: Kuhn,ted studiesT. (1977). in The scientific essential traditiontension: Selec- and jection of the night sky. Men stare in appre- Springer-Verlagthe History of Mathematics change Fairfield, Maine 04937-0302 USA hensive wonderment in the direction of the Ball, W.W. Rouse (1927). A Short Account of . Chicago: University of Chicago 1-207-453-7668 door. . London: Mac- Press.The Ages: The Evolution of Geometrical NARRATION The universe is filled with Millan Lancozos,Ideas From Cornelius Pythagoras (1970). to SpaceHilbert Through and Ein- [email protected] Servant of Science questions; and as we discover some answers, Bell, E. T. (1987). Mathematics: Queen and stein www.northern-stars.com we continue to uncover more mysteries and . Washington, DC: Mathe- duction To Mathematical Thought puzzles. However, scientific questions are matics Association of America . London: Academic Press matics, An Introduction I would like to begin by thanking Jane ever, because at times her translations were never devoid of implications for other fields Burton, David (1985). The History of Mathe- Stabler, Edward Russell (1953). An Intro- Sadler and Susan Button for supporting me much longer than what I said, and some- such as theology, ethics, philosophy and . Newton, MA: . New and for suggesting (over several years) that I times they were much shorter – what was social science. These questions are not Allyn And Bacon York: Addison-Wesley matics History apply for this wonderful opportunity. I she actually saying?! I guess it was all within unique to the history of cosmology. Many Cajori, Florian (1931). A History of Mathe- Stillwell, J. (1994). Mathematics and its would also like to thank Loris Ramponi for reason because the students had numerous other modern scientific developments are . London: MacMillan . New York: Springer-Verlag being the wonderful host of this adventure. questions afterwards and behaved much as currently being investigated through natural Calinger,cal Research R. (1997). and Vita Integration Mathematica: with Histori- Teach- Swetz, F. et al (1995). Learn from the Masters. Without these three dedicated individuals middle-school students do in the United implications and interconnections with ing Washington, DC: Mathematical Association this program would not exist, and without States. This first teaching assignment was other areas of concern. Thus, the history, pre- Through. Washington, the Ages: DC: A Gentle Mathematical History forAssoci- Tea- of America. their assistance I would never have known over quickly, leaving me with much to sent, and future of scientific discovery and ationchers of and America Others the pleasure of both teaching abroad and dis- think about regarding the coming four days development can only be fully understood Gouvêa, F. & Berlinghoff, W. (2002). Math covering Northern Italy from a viewpoint of lessons in the Starlab. Would the high through investigations into other cultural The authors Michael J. Bossé, David Morri- seldom seen by a tourist. Thanks to all. school students have a better command of dimensions surrounding the science. It is . Washington, DC: Mathe- son, Stephen Williams, Brandi Nowakowski, On Saturday, 16 October 2004, my wife, English? Should I try to quickly learn some hoped that this play has reminded all of the maticalTime: The Association Updated of and America Expanded Tenth Kristinner Arrigenna, and Laurie Davis original- Hawking, Stephen (1998). A Brief History of Laura, and I flew from Portland, Maine, to basic astronomical terms in Italiano? Would complexities of science and theology, devel- Anniversary Edition ly published this article as The C osmo Boston and then on to Milan. Arriving in my lesson plan be too long? Would I talk too oped an appreciation for the difficulties asso- in Academic Exchange Quarterly. s(Sum- Cor - Milan on Sunday morning after an all-night fast? Questions, questions, questions. Yet I ciated with the historic evolution of scientif- . New York: Bantam mer 2004) Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 22-34. It is re- flight, we fought jetlag nearly all day as we had a great time with those kids and Loris ic thought, and provided fodder for future Katz, V. (2000). Using History to Teach Math- printed here with permission of A.E.Q. C explored Milan’s city center, visiting the seemed pleased, so I felt good about the talk. Duomo (cathedral) in Piazza del Duomo, the That afternoon, Loris took Laura and me Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Castello to the Serafino Zani Observatory in the Cover Photo: Master’s Program in the Stella Planetarium Sforzesco castle, and viewing da Vinci’s Last mountains north of the town of Lumezzane. Supper. Needless to say we were enthralled Laura and me at the Serafino Zani What a wonderful location for parties The cover shows five master students and one professor discussing programming in the Stella Nova Planetarium. Clockwise from left to with our first day in Italy but quite exhaust- Observatory. All photographs are and observing. We hoped to do just that on courtesy the author. right are Ngwa Elvis from Cameroon, Salem Harahsheh from Jordan, Annika Hultgren from Sweden, Lars Broman (partly hidden), Md. ed. Tuesday night, but as luck would have it the Khademul Islam from Bangladesh, and Joan de Grace from Canada. Monday morning we caught a train to but rather dealing with the fact that none of skies were overcast all week long. Tuesday Stella Nova Planetarium is the training facility for science communication students at Dalarna University, Borlänge, Sweden. It has a 5- Brescia where Loris picked us up at the sta- these kids spoke any English! The teacher through Thursday I presented planetarium meter-diameter cloth Eurodome sup- tion. He quickly whisked us away to the was patient at translating and we quickly shows at a high school called Liceo scientifi- plied by Broman Planetarium, a Castello, Brescia’s castle, high on a hill over- developed a rhythm of my explanation fol- co Calini di via Montesuello in Brescia. Loris Starlab FibreArc projector, a high-con- looking this small Italian city, which turned lowed by her translation. I was curious, how- and I arrived Tuesday morning and set up trast video projector connected to a out to be much larger than we the Starlab in an empty basement computer, and an audio system. Out- had expected. At the observato- room. In the Starlab, I used the side the dome are several computers ry on the castle’s grounds we northern hemisphere star cylin- equipped for making digital audio- met up with a class of middle- der, the coordinates cylinder, and visual programs for use in planetari- school students. the galaxy portion of the solar sys- ums and other settings. On a patio outside the obser- tem/galactic cylinder. I also The next Master's Program starts vatory, I was given a set of 8x10 brought a tray of slides. in August, 2005 with an application glossy photographs of com- My presentation began with an deadline of 15 April. Full-time stu- mon astronomical objects to introductory slide show on my dents present their theses in October, discuss with the students. I felt work and life as a planetarium 2006. Applicants already working in a a bit nervous but excited to be operator in Maine. The lesson planetarium can study as distance in this wonderful space. With then concentrated on various students; part-time studies are also smiling Italian kids and eager methods of finding sky objects, possible. The application form and teachers, I had the chance to including the altitude-azimuth information is available at www teach off the top of my head system, right ascension and decli- .du.se. Tuition is still free in Sweden, without a lesson plan. That nation, and constellations. Along also for international students. may sound less than desirable, the way, we covered sky phenom- More information about the pro- but I actually enjoyed “wing- ena such as the Sun, aurora, visible gram and the studies can be found at ing-it,” making it up as I went planets, and the Milky Way. Each www.sciencecommunication.se. along. The main difficulty was This is the group of middle school kids with whom I did an presentation also offered two outdoor lesson on the first day. We met outside the observa- not with impromptu teaching, tory at the Castello in Brescia. Native American sky legends,

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which I illustrated with Kodalith line ment that kids typically do in the selves in exploring Brescia, Verona, much to prepare their students for drawings. Starlab. Nevertheless, the kids were Sirmione, Lake Garda, and on the my presentations. The students were wonderful. All kind, listened attentively, and final weekend, Venice. The food Finally, I would like to finish by my fears of language problems quick- asked numerous questions after was incredible, the people were thanking those who make this ly fell away. They understood my each presentation. Clearly, the welcoming and patient with our yearly educational adventure possi- English just fine. I consciously tried to Magic Walls concept would work crude Italian, and the art, architec- ble: Learning Technologies, Inc. of speak slowly and enunciate clearly better with empty walls, a flat ceil- ture, landscapes, and history never Somerville, Massachusetts, the and they seemed to follow along. ing, and a more open room – given failed to hold our attention. While International Planetarium Society Each group had a handful of ques- the circumstances we were reason- the trains and buses were a good Mobile Planetarium Committee, tions, some about the material cov- ably successful. I admire Loris’ means of moving about on our and the Serafino Zani Astronomical ered but most about me, where I’m patience and his intense desire to own, I’m glad Loris drove us to the Observatory of Lumezzane, Italy. from, and what I do. The stories were teach astronomy that led to devel- schools. I would need a healthy What you offer is a great opportu- received enthusiastically. It was easy oping Magic Walls and working in dose of adrenaline to take on driv- nity for all involved. Thank you. to gauge their comprehension by such unpredictable environments. ing in Italian cities – wow! their simple reactions to the storyline. Friday evening was my final pre- This was an incredible week of NO TE: The next deadline for appli- They laughed at all the appropriate sentation, a public show at the teaching, learning, meeting new cants of “A Week in Italy for an times and seemed engaged with the Lumezzane Planetarium. Loris friends and colleagues, and widen- American Planetarium Operator” is content. The Kodalith line drawings requested that the focus of this ing our cultural horizons. I would This group of high school kids is about to enter the Starlab. April 15, 2005. For more details go were a definite hit. Several teachers show be Native American skylore highly recommend this to my fel- to: http://www.colibrionline.it and students told me that the pictures – one of my favorite subjects. I low planetarians. Since the oppor- /MG/Week_in_Italy.htm. helped them follow the story and the images south side of Brescia. This proved to be the made this presentation a live storytelling tunity has so many positive as- biggest challenge of the week. Since this This picture was taken after the public show on Friday reinforced their language comprehension. show, illustrating the stories with a few pects for both the students in evening. These folks are all astronomy educators. The August 31, 2005 is the deadline for The three mornings spent at Liceo scien- school had no space to set up the Starlab, we Kodalith slides and pointing out appropriate Brescia and the visiting educator, two women in the front and the one to my right are applicants of “A week in Italy for a tifico Calini di via Montesuello were engag- presented what Loris calls the Magic Walls. constellations. We had about twenty-five it’s hard to see any reason not to from a public observatory in Genoa who traveled three hours to see the show! The woman to my left is Lucia French Planetarium Operator”. ing and fun. The students were well prepared The room we set up in was a foreign lan- people show up, including three young do this. I can’t believe it took me Pedersoli, my translator. September 30, 2005 is the deadline and interested. Only a few of them had ever guage lab complete with built-in desks wired women from a public observatory in Genoa, so many years to apply for this respect you as a talented colleague and think for applicants of “A week in Italy been in a Starlab before and they were all with tape recorders and headphones. Instead more than three hours away! opportunity. Loris is a most capable host, full for a Spanish Planetarium Operator”. For of you as a fine new friend. Thanks should intrigued by the portable planetarium. Just of my usual dome, I had to present my show The audience was very welcoming. While of enthusiasm for teaching astronomy and more details go to: http://www.colibrion- also go to Loris’ assistants Enrico and Lucia, like students in the United States, they found in the corner of this room, using two walls a few spoke English well, most of the audi- ready to assist in any way. Thank you, Loris; line.it/MG/international_collaboration.htm. and to all the teachers who willingly did so crawling in and out of the dome a curious and an irregular ceiling as my projection ence understood only bits and pieces. for all that you did for Laura and me. I novelty. Yet once inside and settled they area! To add to the challenge, the walls had Luckily, we had an excellent translator, were focused on the lesson. They made me posters held in place with screws that could Lucia Pedersoli. She had previously read feel like a welcome guest in their school and not be removed. So while Loris and Laura these stories and as an accomplished story- I trust I made them feel welcomed in the blacked out the windows, I set up the projec- teller herself, we presented the stories clearly dome. tors and equipment. We placed chairs in in both English and Italian. For this show I Thursday afternoon Loris took Laura and short, tight rows. At this point, I had doubts brought a few extra peripherals – a cassette me back up to Lumezzane to that town’s about how magical I could make these walls. tape of intro-music, a strobe effect, and a fixed dome planetarium where we presented Luckily, Loris and Laura were successful at shadow projector. Loris’ planetarium assis- a teacher workshop. Loris has this planetari- making the room reasonably dark and I was tant, Enrico Loda, was helpful with showing um configured to work with either its own able to maneuver the star projector so that at me the planetarium’s operating controls and original Italian-made star projector or a least one at a time showed up getting my equipment set up. After Loris Starlab star projector. The planetarium is clearly on the walls between the posters. The gave a brief introduction, I began the show. roughly 4.5 meters in diameter, has a beauti- students were game for the presentation but Telling stories for immediate verbal transla- ful plaster dome, and loose chairs for seating never achieved the same level of involve- tion presented challenges that I hadn’t antic- 25-30 people. Unfortunately there ipated. The flow certainly changes, was another mandatory workshop as after every few moments I had to for area teachers scheduled that stop for Lucia to translate. While day, which kept attendance low. this was distracting for me at first, We only had six people show up within a few minutes Lucia and I and they spoke little or no English, developed our own rhythm so it thus requiring Loris to translate. I flowed smoothly. When I tell these showed them my introduction stories at home I tend to use charac- slides and walked through the les- ter voices. Here I found they compli- son that I presented to students all cated the comprehension level so I week. We also discussed several dropped the “funny voices”. After other Starlab cylinders and talked the presentation we spent more about skylore. The presentation than twenty minutes with questions could definitely have been more and discussions regarding sky effective with a larger group, yet mythology, storytelling techniques, given the intimacy of the small and night sky phenomena. What a group, I was able to address every- wonderful way to end my teaching one’s inquiries. experience in Italy – with an en- On Friday morning we moved to gaged and delightful audience! a new school, Liceo scientifico Meanwhile, throughout the week Leonardo di via Balestrieri, on the John, Laura, and Loris at the Lumezzane Planetarium. Laura and I were able to indulge our-

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a scene changes to something else, for exam- A Suggested Nomenclature for ple the interior of a different building, to the surface of another planetary moon, or to a different nebula, then this would make for a Dome Video Production new dome scene. In the event that the cam- era changes heading dynamically and then Tom Callen comes to a stop requiring new dome primi- tives, this too would constitute a new dome Astronomer/Program Producer scene particularly if there is a change in Cosmonova topic as well. Each finalized scene would drop into place within the timeline of a PO Box 50007, SE-104 05 show, which eventually leads to the com- Stockholm, Sweden pleted presentation (see Dome Master below). A dome scene is also something that [email protected] could be sold as part of a library of such clips that could be used by a theater to put One of many highlights at the IPS 2004 together their own show. Example: “Percival meeting in Valéncia, Spain, was the “Full- Lowell observes what he believes to be Dome Standards Summit,” an effort to bring canals on Mars.” together as many interested parties within the planetarium community as possible. • Dome Master Besides hearing a variety of speakers on full The expression “Dome Master” has be- dome video-related topics, it also fostered a come at this time synonymous with the (cir- dialogue between participants to talk about cular) format of a single finished all-dome setting basic standards and vocabulary, out- All of the Dome Scenes that make up a single show are known as the Dome Master. video frame. In this suggested nomenclature It is this continuous storylined stream of final images that covers the entire show lining “best practices,” identifying further I think that it can also stand for the entire that gets “sliced & diced” by each theater’s all-dome video production software to areas of study as well as try and recommend show from beginning to end. While a show match their respective number of video projectors. steps that planetarians could take in this can have many dome backgrounds, dome This illustration shows several exam- • Dome Background – starfield showing exciting new production and presentation ples of Dome Primitives that would primitives and dome scenes there can only The suggested nomenclature in the correct stars that would have been environment. be used along with a Dome Back- be one dome master; the finished show con- usage ground to make up a Dome Scene. All behind Neptune during the encounter Since the point of the Summit was to take taining a number of dome scenes that make Specifying a single scene from a show illustrations are courtesy the author. in August 1989 … such a first approach at coming up with a logical story that goes from point A to using the suggested nomenclature might be Such information could be included in a some planetarium industry-wide standards, I point Z. It is then this dome master that get indicated in production notes as in the fol- finalized scene. In some cases – if it’s an all- show’s treatment before the actual descrip- wish to suggest for consideration the follow- distributed and run through an all-dome lowing hypothetical scenario: sky image that’s been shot digitally, or tive text of what happens in the scene (in ing items of nomenclature regarding shows theater’s “slice and dice” function of their • Dome Master – “Nine Worlds, One Sun” scanned in from film, and is the only thing my treatments such a description is then and their production. Since I come from a hardware to make it into the screen configu- • Dome Scene – 8C: Voyager 2 Neptune seenor of on the the building dome –housing it becomes the 26-inchthe one Clark and placed before the actual spoken text). This production background rather than a tech- ration that is required for showing in their Encounter (scenes 8A and 8B could have onlyrefractor element at Lowell of a scene. Observatory Example: inthe Flagstaff, interi- production information could later be nical one they are terms that have some theater. covered, for example, Uranus’ peculiar Arizona. stripped out and put into both a section-by- “common sense” logic to them rather than In essence, then, the whole sequence is as wobble along its orbit and the mathe- section master listing of visuals as well as a “technical” logic. Additionally they are com- follows: a dome background gets layered matical prediction and telescopic dis- th listing of which particular types of visual ele- pletely independent of how they are created. with dome primitives, which leads to a com- covery of Neptune, the 8 planet in the ments are needed (specific starfields, interi- One does not need to know for which all- pleted dome scene of which several, or solar system in 1846) … • Dome Primitive(s) ors, exteriors, spacecraft, planets, moons, live- dome video vendor’s system they were creat- many, are put together along a logical story- • Dome Primitive(s) – 3D Model of Voya- I can’t vouch for this 100%, but I believe C ed. It is the images themselves that matter, ger 2 spacecraft, 3D model of Neptune action videos, etc.). that when computer graphics were first line in order to make up the final show, the not the bits and bytes of making them. So, with ring system … introduced the objects produced were called dome master. for better, or worse, I’ll toss these suggestions “primitives,” and in a sense it seems to fit the into the old compiler and see if they parse usage here. By this suggested nomenclature a for anyone else. “Dome Primitive” would be an individual New Web Resource Guide for Teaching Astronomy to Non-Science Majors Some definitions of terms element that is included in a layer, or layers, The nomenclature that I’m suggesting – over the dome background. This could be An annotated guide to web sites for teaching Astronomy 101 at The site can be found at: going from the simplest elements to the anything from a live action character that’s When Scenes 8A, 8B and 8C are com- the college or advanced high-school level is now available on the edu- http://www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/educsites.html. most complex – is as follows: been matted into a scene, a video, or slide bined in sequence, you have all of the cation web pages of the nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific. • Dome Background(s) window, a panorama, a spacecraft, a planet, scenes making up “Section 8 – Nep- tune” in an all-dome video planetari- Please note that this is not a guide to astronomical subject matter. • Dome Primitive(s) or moon, spinning galaxy, etc. It is these indi- um show about the planets. The guide currently lists and explains 90 sites, divided into 10 cat- Instead of focusing on what to teach, it provides resources on how to • Dome Scene(s) vidual elements that are manipulated in the egories, including: teach basic astronomy more effectively. • Dome Master scene to move, dissolve, whatever, and give * collections of course syllabi Let’s take a look at each one in more detail. the scene both action and depth. screen for matting over the background of * demonstrations and class activities suggestions for new teaching The Astronomical Society of the Pacific, founded in 1889, is one of • Dome Background(s) Besides being produced for a specific show, the interior of the building housing the 26- approaches the largest and most active astronomical organizations in the world. Every scene, regardless if it’s set in space, dome primitives could also be sold as part of inch Clark refractor at Lowell Observatory. * lab and observing exercises One of its main goals is to serve as a clearinghouse for educational inside an observatory here on Earth, or is a a library of individual objects that could be • Dome Scene(s) * applets and shareware resources and materials. fanciful abstraction, it has a background. It combined by a theater with other primitives A Dome Scene is made up of all of the ele- * interdisciplinary approaches to astronomy becomes the canvas on which all the other andaction a dome “Percival background Lowell” shotto put against together a blue a ments – the dome background and all the elements of a particular scene are placed, the Dome Scene (see below). Example: A live dome primitives – used to complete that bottom layer of the image set that becomes a individual scene. If the dome background in

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Ryuichiro Goto 2005 IPS/Eugenides Foundation April 11, 1938 - December 19, 2004 Scriptwriting Competition The planetarium world notes with sorrow the passing of Mr. Ryuichiro Goto, past president and chairman of the board of GOTO INC, in Tokyo, Japan. Many of us knew him from planetarium conference appearances over the Steve Tidey years, and some of us were privileged to know him as a perfect and enthusiastic host, either abroad or in Japan. Few met him who did not later receive a smiling photo of themselves with Mr. Goto. 58 Prince Avenue Mr. Goto worked his way to the top of the optical company his grandfather, Seizo Goto founded. Starting in Southend, Essex 1963, he moved through various jobs and titles to become President of GOTO OPTICAL MFG. CO. in 1979, and then England, SS2 6NN to semi-retire to the post of Chairman of the Board in 2003. During Mr. Goto’s career, thousands of small planetarium projectors and hundreds of medium and large projec- [email protected] tors were developed and sold, making GOTO the world’s most prolific planetarium manufacturer. Mr. Goto’s son Nobutaka, the current president, continues in his father’s footsteps as the forth generation Goto at the helm of the More prize money, less rules. Those are the So please give consideration to writing a D. Entries may be submitted between July two main headline changes for the new, script for the competition. It only needs to 1 and December 31, 2005. Please mail family-owned company. greatly improved IPS/Eugenides Foundation be 25 minutes in length (that’s almost half of scripts to: Steve Tidey, 58 Prince Ave- In his early years, Mr. Goto was often the primary international salesman for the company. A historic sea cruise Scriptwriting Competition. the previously required length) and there are nue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6NN, England. to Europe and through the Mediterranean left a trail of GOTO projectors in its wake. He also established strong I’d like to thank Dennis Simopoulos who far fewer criteria to meet. And you’ve got Or email [email protected]. The relationships in India, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. Early sales successes in the U.S.A. and Europe in the worked with the Eugenides Foundation on nine months to write it, so the task is not two winning authors will be recognised 1960s and 70s slowed a bit when foreign exchange rates worked against Japanese-manufactured goods on the behalf of the IPS to increase the total large but the potential reward is. What’s during the awards ceremony at the world market. But during those years, Mr. Goto led the company to establish an even larger domestic market share. amount of prize money. It now stands at more, if you co-write a script with a col- 2006 IPS conference in Melbourne, Mr. Goto’s influence is seen today in the vast majority of modern systems. Virtually every company in the $1350, with a whopping $1000 given to the league the work will be halved, so what Australia, where they will receive a cer- First Place script and $350 to the Second more can you ask for? Answers on a postcard tificate and prize money. industry has borrowed or copied some bits of GOTO technology. His GSS system in Yokohama was the first system Place script. This makes the prize money to … E. All scripts must conform to the follow- to allow space travel through the solar system. His single starball HELIOS projector won the Ministry of competitive with some other science writing Steve Tidey ing format: International Trade and Industry’s Good Design Award in 1993. ASTROVISION large format film systems brought competitions. Just think, $1000 would pay Scriptwriting Competition Coordinator 1. A signed release form must accompa- dynamic, moving imagery into the planetarium. And in 1996, during an Osaka IPS post-conference tour to GOTO for a conference and lots more, so hold that ny the script. headquarters, Mr. Goto proudly unveiled VIRTUARIUM; the world’s first color, full-dome, real-time computer thought as you read on. Competition Guidelines 2. Attach a cover page giving the graphic video system. When I took over the reigns as the compe- 1. General script’s title, author’s name, institu- Mr. Goto also initiated work that resulted in many more innovations, and which continue to drive GOTO INC tition’s Coordinator before the last competi- A. To encourage excellence in planetarium tion, address, telephone/fax number, into the future. The CHRONOS and SUPER URANUS projectors released in recent years set new standards in the tion was held, I was struck by the size of the show production, the IPS announces a email address and the number of task we were asking writers to perform in scriptwriting competition sponsored by pages. Do not put author’s name on field. The new HYBRID system, which joins opto-mechanical and video under one control, was one of Mr. Goto’s meeting twenty very stringent evaluative the Eugenides Foundation in Athens, any other page. last, and some would say most important criteria, which were elements their scripts Greece. Scripts are requested for school 3. Scripts should be written in English contributions to the industry. And VIR- had to include or show good awareness of. shows only, on the subject of the solar with the directions for visuals (slides, TUARIUM II and optics for many of Though I love to write, even I reeled back in system. You can write exclusively about panoramas, video clips, etc.) in the today’s video systems continue his legacy. horror at the thought of having to produce a any single body or class of bodies in the left hand column, and the narration But besides advancing this industry far- script to meet all those requirements, and solar system, or about the planetary sys- in the right hand column, typed or ther and faster than perhaps any other they also made the scripts difficult to mark tem as a whole. (No other subjects, computer printed, double-spaced, for the three judges. So, following the conclu- please). The target age group is 11-14. with line numbers and pages num- single individual, Mr. Goto was also a very sion of the last competition I put together a B. Any currently enrolled IPS member bered. (A template is available at ips- warm human being. On the golf course, report for the IPS Council with input from may enter one or more scripts. planetarium.org). Place a paragraph over dinner, or under a dome, everyone Alex Barnett, April Whitt, Jim Manning, and C. The First and Second prize scripts re- on page one that states the script’s had a friend in Mr. Goto. After a sustained Dr. George Reed, in which I listed a number main the author’s property, but the IPS goals and purpose. illness, his passing leaves his wife Yuko, of areas in the competition’s format and retains the right to publish them in the 4. The length should be 25 , minu daughters Yumi and Sachiko, son rules that we felt needed strengthening. Planetarian. and include a five-minute live seg-tes Nobutaka, and grandchildren Yuka, Maki, Council agreed and asked me to implement 2. Contest Rules and Procedures ment, incorporate slides and/or and Takatsugu, whom he held very dear. those changes, some of which related to A. Previously submitted scripts, or materi- video segments, pans, all skies, and shortening the evaluative criteria. At the end al published elsewhere, are not allowed. basic star projector functions. Messages of condolence may be sent to of these introductory remarks I’ve listed the B. Writers should submit six copies of each 5. If the above requirements are not the family at: competition’s new, shortened rules and eval- script to the contest’s Coordinator: one met, a script may be disqualified. GOTO INC uative criteria, and I hope you’ll agree they copy for the Eugenides Foundation’s 3. Evaluative Criteria 16, 4-Chome look much more attractive. (For comparison files, one copy for the IPS files, and one In the assumption that the above criteria Yazaki-Cho purposes, the last competition’s rules were copy each for the three judges and the for submission has been met, the judges will Fuchu-Shi, Tokyo 183-8530 listed in the March 2001 Planetarian.) Please Coordinator. A single electronic copy evaluate each script based on: a clear writing JAPAN read these new rules carefully, as there are may be substituted for the hard copies, style, factual accuracy, the correct use of many changes. but a hard copy of the release form grammar, originality in presentation and If you should misplace this current copy must still be mailed. content, a maintained focus on the script’s H e wil of the Planetarian but want to remind your- C. The contest Coordinator will choose core topic, overall entertainment value, and, l be m but h isse self of the rules, get copies of the release form from the IPS Fellows three judges to whether or not the script has achieved the worl is sta d by of d. rs co udiall w or the blank, formatted script page layout, go mark each entry based on the criteria author’s stated goals. plan ntinu enceho k etar e to s aronew to the IPS web page (ips-planetarium.org). I’ll set out below, and the Coordinator will 4. Awards Categories and Values ium shine undhim, au in t the send out occasional reminders about the then quantify the totals to determine A. First Place $1000 (US) he ey es competition to Dome-L, IPS News, and the the winners. The author’s names will be B. Second Place $ 350 (US) regional conferences. kept anonymous from the judges.

20 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 21 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 22

Assignment and Release IPS/Eugenides Foundation Scriptwriting Contest Entry Form (Complete one form per script. Enclose with each script by the deadline December 31, 2005.) Submission date: ______The undersigned does hereby assign and release unto the International Planetarium Society (IPS) the script entitled, ______and permits the use of content of the script in whole or in part in connection with planetarium programs of all kinds. The undersigned acknowledges that the script assigned here may be included within any script bank maintained by IPS, that IPS may publish the script in the Society journal Planetarian, that IPS may maintain scripts for distribution to its members on magnetic media and in hard copy form, and that scripts assigned to IPS may be screened by a committee to control duplication of material and to eliminate known proprietary material. The undersigned does hereby represent unto IPS that this assignment and release is not con- trary to any copyright registration or other registration relating to copyright protection with respect to the script; that this assignment and release is not in conflict with any other agree- ment executed by the undersigned, and that the undersigned will, to the extent reasonably necessary, execute such further assurances of title as may be necessary and defend the same. IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned has executed this assignment and release as of the date first above written. SUBMITTED BY: (Signature) ______

PRINT NAME: ______TITLE: ______

ORGANIZATION/PLANETARIUM: ______

ADDRESS: ______

______

WITNESS: (Signature) ______

PRINT NAME: ______TITLE: ______

22 Planetarian March 2005 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 24

Meteorites: A Petrological, Reviews Chemical and Isotopic

Robert Hutchison,Synthesis Cambridge University Press, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, 2004, ISBN 0 521 47010 2, US $135.00.

Reviewed by Richard Dreiser, Yerkes Obser- vatory, 373 West Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin 53191 USA.

cal-PetrologicIn the last two Synthesis decades since the publica- tion of Mikel T. Dodd’s Meteorites: A Chemi- in 1981, the discov- ery of many unusual meteorites among the tens of thousands found since 1970, improve- The Hundred Greatest Stars ments in technology, and changes in our James B. Kaler, Copernicus Books, 37 East 7th perception of what is important in the study Street, New York, NY 10003, 2002, ISBN 0- of meteorites, have necessitated a revision to 387-95436-8, US $32.50. April S. Whitt Dodd’s classic work. Of great importance was the growing recognition of isotopic ratios in Reviewed by Paul J. Krupinski, Mobile Dome Fernbank Science Center the classification, chronology, and interpre- Planetarium/Strasenburgh Planetarium, tation of meteorites. Buffalo/Rochester, New York, USA 156 Heaton Park Drive NE logical, Chemical and Isotopic Synthesis Robert Hutchison’s Meteorites: A Petro- Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA James Kaler loves stars! He watches them, [email protected] focuses on the “… study of gram-sized or larg- photographs them, researches them, and er meteorites in the laboratory. The resultant writes about them. In this book Kaler, Profes- data are then used to infer interrelationships, sor of Astronomy at the University of Illinois Whether flowers are blooming or leaves chronology and genesis of meteorites and at Urbana-Champaign, selects 100 of his are dropping, welcome to the March their parent bodies.” Hutchison’s work is cer- favorite stars to illustrate the amazing vari- equinox column, dear readers. We’re stand- tainly the best up-to-date scholarly work ety of sizes, shapes, ages and the vast range of ing in a galaxy and looking far, far away available on meteorites. configurations in which stars exist. From with these volumes. If you would like a free Acrux to ZZ Ceti, this book offers not only book to review, contact me at the address The seventeen-page “In- anecdotal stellar tidbits useful for spicing up above. I’m in search of readers who like to troduction” is an excellent live star shows, but also has an underlying share their talents (sounds like every plane- primer to meteorites in theme throughout: a tale about the magnifi- tarian I know). general and would more cent forces working harmoniously to shape Thanks to our reviewers for this issue: the violent, dynamic, yet awesome and Richard Dreiser and Paul J. Krupinski. than satisfy members of majestic points of light sprinkled through- the public curious about out the Galaxy. rocks from space. Before describing the differences among his 100 stars, an introduction greets the Meteorites was, without question, written beginner stargazer with basic stellar proper- for professional scientists, some of whom ties and astronomical terminology. In addi- may be well versed in geology, meteorites, or tion, a separate glossary at the end of the astrophysics. These readers should have no book provides a quick reminder. Then Kaler difficulty following the science, with the dips into the stars themselves. Each of his help of the glossary and extensive bibliogra- favorite stars is introduced by a short sum- phy. The book will also prove useful “… to mary that gives the star’s name, resident con- advanced undergraduates in Earth and plan- stellation, apparent brightness as viewed etary sciences, and to post-graduate students from Earth, distance, visual , and embarking on a career in meteoritics or most importantly, its significance. allied subjects.” Truly each turn of a page offers a quick The seventeen-page “Introduction” is an view, a fabulous color photograph or illustra- excellent primer to meteorites in general and tion, and the more detailed story about the would more than satisfy members of the star, which captures the essence of the star’s public curious about rocks from space. If personality. The stars are arranged alphabeti- Cambridge University Press were to publish cally by the name the author knows best. this interesting and intelligible text along Each star is also cross-referenced with others, with suitable glossy color meteorite pho- allowing the reader to peruse the book in a tographs, as a reasonably priced soft cover non-serial fashion and reminding us that booklet, it would certainly sell well at sci- ence centers. (Rev iews, continued on page 36) March 2005 Planetarian 25 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 26

Dipper and Little Dipper and Ursa Major and because constellations are not included in Forum Ursa Minor top the list for any season, with a the earth and space standards. At the time, I caution that Ursa Major is low during some felt opposed to this point of view, but I have early winter evenings. Like other planetari- continued to consider it. ans, I like to show how the Dippers appear I feel that the constellations make great to “pour” into one another. I like to point focus topics for language arts (words and out that although both are Dippers with terms from classical mythology) and social seven major stars, the shapes are not congru- studies (constellations of different cultures ent. And I like to note that we can recognize as psychological projection tests that mirror each Dipper and every constellation by its the ideas, animals, and things important to distinctive shape, regardless of its orientation different cultures). And I think that know- or where it is in the sky. ing some of the classical constellations is part Star magnitude is a good topic with the of a well-educated person’s heritage. In fact, Dippers, since Megrez is a fainter third mag- when high school students who, as part of nitude, and fourth-magnitude Alcor next to their astronomy class have learned constella- Mizar was used as an eye exam for young- tions go to distant locations, they are com- sters in ancient Arabia. Seven, the number of forted when they see the constellations major stars in each Dipper, makes them res- they learned as “old friends.” onate with a human ability of being able to But, coming closer to the “expert” idea, I remember seven independent things at one now think that we can incorporate constel- Steve Tidey time, a phenomenon named, “Miller’s Magic lations within our lessons so that we use 58 Prince Avenue, Number Seven” by psychologists. (This is them rather than focus on them. This year I also the number of days in a week and the have prepared a number of school programs Southend, Essex, SS2 6NN number of digits in phone numbers with- that use, but do not focus on, constellations. England out area codes.) An example is the first in a set of programs Cassiopeia is another north circumpolar for second graders (7-year-olds), which I [email protected] group that is easy to find. Cassiopeia is espe- started giving in September. The children at cially attractive in fall and winter near our this level all are required by the second grade Greetings, carbon units, as Nomad, the zenith, when it can be related to other visi- earth and space standards to know about hovering interstellar space probe in an ble constellations of the Royal Family. I tell “changes in the day sky and night sky.” In episode of the original Star Trek, would say. people to look for the “W” or “M” asterism. the program, about one-fourth of a class As you’ll see below, we’re talking about The seasonal constellations that people identifies the position of a different constel- favourite constellation point outs in the col- tell me they have found most easily, and lation early in the evening, then three hours umn this time round. I was thinking of ask- which I therefore most want to point out, later, and finally, three hours after that. To ing George Bush what his favorite constella- are: Orion, Taurus (with the Hyades and judge the location of the center of the con- tion is, but that’s too obvious – it’s Cassio- Pleiades), Gemini, Canis Major, Leo, Corona stellation, the children report a fraction of “FITS Liberator” Image Viewer Now Available peia, the big Dubya. That’s W for winner. Borealis, Cygnus, Lyra, Scorpius, and Sagit- the way from the horizon to the zenith for When you do a standard constellation tarius. First-magnitude stars make easy-to- their constellation at each of the three times For many years astronomical images from the world’s telescopes were reserved for an elite of astronomers and point-out for twenty minutes, I’d bet money find sky patterns: the Winter Hexagon, the and tell the direction each time, such as “a technical people. Now anyone with a desktop computer running Adobe Photoshop software can try their hand at that you’re audience isn’t thinking what two Winter Triangle, and the Summer Triangle. little north of northeast.” (The 7-year-olds crafting astronomical images as beautiful as those from the Hubble Space Telescope. A free software plug-in cleaners looking out the window at a starry And geometric patterns of any type, such as are too young to apply degrees of altitude makes available a treasure trove of archival astronomical images and spectra from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space sky in a classic Sydney Harris cartoon are pic- the Great Square of Pegasus, Orion’s Rec- and azimuth.) The children practice estimat- Telescope, the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton tured saying to each other: “Sure it’s beauti- tangle, Lyra’s equilateral triangle and paral- ing position by judging the position of my X-ray observatory, NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and many other famous telescopes accessible to home astrono- ful, but I can’t help thinking about all that lelogram, Leo’s Right Triangle, and Auriga’s laser pointer before we see the sun change in my enthusiasts. interstellar dust out there.” Pentagon are all easier to find than irregular the day or the constellations at night. We Yeah, right. star groups. record each group’s report of the position of If there is anything that unites astronomy, it is the worldwide use of a single file format - nearly all the images of stars and pro- Here’s the topic: Star hopping on a large scale is something the center of its constellation in a table duced by telescopes on the ground and in space are stored as so-called FITS files. Unfortunately this file format has been accessible to very people enjoy and seem to do easily. For using the overhead projector, with a dimmer few people other than professional scientists using highly specialised image-processing tools. What are your favorite constellations to instance, the trick of following the arc of the switch. Now a new and unique tool - the ESA/ESO/NASA Photoshop FITS Liberator – developed by imaging scientists at the European Space point out during a live sky tour, and why? handle of the Big Dipper to Arcturus and I have given this lesson a dozen times, and Agency, the European Southern Observatory and NASA makes the immense wealth of astronomical images and spectra stored in data How do you describe them to your audience then to Spica, helps one find Boötes, Virgo, I have learned that the children remember archives around the world accessible to the layman. The only thing required is access to either Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop in a way that’s different from the norm? Corona Borealis, and Corvus easily. If there the four constellations very well, even six Elements, both leading image software packages. is an easy-to-see star group that leads to oth- weeks later. I hope that you can use my dis- For the professional creators of astronomical colour images, the plug-in revolutionises Jeanne Bishop has whipped out her point- ers, even faint or hard-to-see constellations covery that constellations can be learned the workflow of the creation of colour images from raw data and gives a huge boost to er, so let’s bring up the stars and settle back will be found by those with interest. well when they are embedded in other the image quality by giving access to the full 16 bit (65536 colours) range of the observa- in our seats. I’d like to take this opportunity of sharing required material. If your state or national tions. In addition the plug-in may be used as a powerful educational tool when teaching * * * an idea about constellations in school pro- standards do not contain constellations, about light, colour and digital images. FITS Liberator works on Windows PCs and Macs grams that is indirectly related to Steve’s cur- take heart that you can still teach some con- (OS X 10.2+) and is optimised for Photoshop CS, but also works in Photoshop 7.0 (only 15 My favorite constellations for a family rent topic. Last spring at a meeting of Ohio stellations and teach them well by using bit support) and Photoshop Elements 2 (only 8 bit support). FITS is an abbreviation for program are those that are the easiest to planetarians in Youngstown, an educational them as a tool in a standards-based program. Flexible Image Transport System and has been a standard since 1982. locate at my Westlake location of about 41 expert addressed the group concerning plan- Jeanne Bishop The ESA/ESO/NASA Photoshop FITS Liberator is freely available for download from: degrees north, in a suburban sky that always has some background light. After people etarium topics and new Ohio State Science Director, Westlake Schools Planetarium http://www.spacetelescope.org/projects/fits_liberator find constellations (and other things) they Standards. The speaker emphasized that we Parkside Middle School saw in the planetarium, they often return for should no longer present constellations as a 24525 Hilliard Road other programs. The asterisms of the Big separate topic in any school programs, Westlake, Ohio, 44145 USA

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* * * Geoffrey Holt Martinsville Planetarium it to find Polaris, although I show how the anyone is named Carina, 2) if they know may add that nothing that we know of trav- There are so many wonderful things that Madison Metro S.D. Planetarium Martinsville High School pointers can be used only after experiment- that there is a constellation named after els faster than the speed of light, and even can be said about different constellations; James Madison Memorial High School 1360 East Gray Street ing to discover which star in the north is dif- them and 3) to bring them back to Earth though the Sun is the closest star to us, it still it’s hard to narrow it down. I love using 201 South Gammon Road Martinsville, Indiana, 46151 USA ferent. again by saying that the name actually takes over eight minutes for light to travel Sheldon Schaefer means a ships keel. 150 million kilometers to Earth. Using Betel- Alcor and Mizar in the handle of the Big Madison, Wisconsin, 53717 USA * * * Dipper to describe the differences between Planetarium Gomeisa, the second brightest star in geuse again, I explain that even though it is a * * * I don’t know if it would count as being an optical double (Alcor and Mizar), a binary Lakeview Museum/Arts & Science Canis Minor. This is an easy word with a sur- really big star, it also very far away. I em- It depends on the group I am dealing with. really different, but when I was in Wash- (Mizar A and Mizar B), and a spectroscopic 1125 West Lake Avenue prisingly long and weird meaning. bellish this fact by saying that Betelgeuse is The school programs are curriculum-driven ington at the Albert Einstein Planetarium I binary (Alcor is one, Mizar A is one, and Peoria, Illinois, 61614 USA According to Kunitzsch and Smart’s, ‘Short so far away that the light we see tonight (just and are structured to that end. When I have always made it a point to emphasize the Mizar B is one). So there are six stars in that Guide to Modern Star Names and Their Deri- as I hit the warp drive effect to create a pho- a group of non-structured students, or an basic circumpolar groups, as that would be * * * “middle star” in the handle of the Big outside group, I have a different approach. I vations’ it means, “The Little Bleary-Eyed ton stream) began its journey toward Earth something that an audience coming from Cape Town is a special place from where Dipper! have my bag of stories, depending on the One With A Filthy Fluid In The Corner Of around the year 1575 when Galileo and literally all over the United States would to point out constellations, since 14 of the 88 I enjoy the comparison of the Great season. I also have my “teach ‘em as much The Eye”. Kepler were young boys. I go on to say, “In have in common. Since moving to Stock- were named from here by Louis de la Caille Square of Pegasus to a baseball diamond, astronomy as I can” material. This might Canis Major is such a happy little dog, and some ways, the light we take in with our holm in 1991 and having started using a Digi- in 1751-52. La Caille was a cleric and wanted and telling the story of the Gemini twins. include the Orion, Sirius and Taurus area of easy to imagine with just the laser pointer as eyes tonight is like getting a party invitation the sky. I can do a quick Astronomy 101 in star I system (yep, there are still a few of us nothing to do with Greek mythology. In- One was born mortal and the other immor- a help. in the mail from a young Galileo asking if about 30 minutes. Stellar evolution is rich in out there alive and kicking) I have used its stead he named constellations after scientific tal, so they were destined to be separated And for the more adult audiences: “Orion you would like to attend his birthday party this area and they are easy for them to find graphical capabilities with the same circum- and artistic instruments. Aside from Micro- eventually - one to go to Hades and the the great hunter, with his belt and, hanging next week. In other words, to understand again. Hopefully, they will remember some polar groups, as far as switching in interest- scopium and Telescopium, we land up with other to Mount Olympus. However, they down from it what we usually call his ... what Betelgeuse is really like in 2005 requires of the wonder of the Universe when they see ing ways between their stick figures and Fornax Chemica (the chemical furnace) and truly desired to be together for eternity, so sword”. that we wait another 430 years for its light to them again. their classical figures. even Antlia Pneumatica (the air pump)! their father Zeus placed them together in the Ole Knudsen reach Earth. Since each star is at a different I also like this area because I have about Another thing that I have become more However, so dominated was his observing sky, where for half the year they are up near Planetarium Manager distance in space, we see them as they were five stories about the Pleiades I can use. One cognizant of is that people often don’t know site by Cape Town’s Table Mountain, he the gods and the other half they are below Steno Museum and not as they really are at this particular of them is about a group of Native Ameri- their own culture’s interpretation of constel- named a constellation for it (Mons Mensa) the Earth. F. Møllers Alle, Building 100 moment. The light from Sirius (8.6 l.y.) shows can women gathering herbs for the evening lations. Or, if they have heard of them they the only constellation named after a geo- One story I created but seldom use is for The University Park what the star looked like eight years ago, meal, while the men of the tribe are out may not know where to look for them. So I graphic feature on Earth. The constellation Orion. We are so far south here that if you DK-8000 Århus C Denmark whereas Capella (42 l.y.) gives us a look at the doing the dangerous work of hunting game use Digistar to show culture-specific versions has little more than fifth magnitude stars, have a clear horizon, you might be able to events of 1963.” for dinner. The women come across a of groups like Karlavagnen (the Big Dipper as but the Large Magellanic Cloud (one of the * * * see the bright star Canopus this time of Within my sky tour, I try to get people to strange new plant that looks and smells the chief god, Odin’s, wagon) and a Lappland “Cape Clouds”) forms the “tablecloth”, the The constellations that make up the year, below Orion. And here’s a way to use their imagination to create the patterns good, so they pick it along with the other version (the Saami people - pronounced name given to the cloud that often covers Winter Wheel are my favorites because they remember its name: Once there was a big of the bull or twins as I point out Taurus and herbs they were gathering. “Saah-meh” - of northern Sweden) of the the mountain top, when the southeaster contain so many bright stars and patterns can of orange juice (point out Orion), with Gemini. In the spirit of having fun, I usually The men return with ducks and give them same seven stars that make up a bow and wind blows. that people can visualize. I suspect that I am some beetles crawling up it to the opening. have my audience try to imagine a stick dog to the women to cook for dinner while they arrow. And I often encourage people to use Professor Tony Fairall like many of us, in that I begin with Orion Three beetles are on its side (the belt), and for Canis Major. Once the audience is with rest from their dangerous work. The women the stars to make up their own patterns, like Planetarium Director the Hunter before pointing out bright stars one reached the opening and is looking into me, I trace out a dog biscuit out of the bright place the new herb in the food, but when Orion as a butterfly. I once had a grade South African Museum such as Betelgeuse and Rigel. Perhaps one the open can. Of course, its name is Betel- stars of Orion and say that perhaps Canis the men taste it they are upset as it doesn’t schooler in the States tell me - after showing 25 Queen Victoria St., PO Box 61 way that I might vary my presentation from geuse (beetle-juice)! A fifth beetle crawled up Major is chasing after that “Big Scooby taste right. They all spit it out and ask the them how to make a peanut butter & jelly 8000 Capetown South Africa others is that I routinely sneak teaching onto the top of the lid (Orion’s head) and Snack” in the sky. women how they managed to ruin the duck. sandwich out of the Great Square of Pegasus - moments into my star talk. An example of jumped off, falling waaaaaay down. (Point * * * Regardless of the constellation or star pat- The women reply that they had found a that he never cut his sandwich in half. Why? this is when I instruct my audience to imag- out Canopus.) And of course, since it fell off When doing live sky tours under the tern, I have found in my experience that new herb and thought it tasted fine, but the Because then all the flavor went out of it! But ine that they are holding a small yellow mar- of the open can of orange juice, its name is dome or outside, I try to include a surprise people need a way to connect or relate to the men angrily tell them never to do that again. of course ... ble between their thumb and forefinger. I Canopus! (insert boos and hisses here.) element or at least a humorous touch to my sky. This might be through a combination of Over the following month or so the same Tom Callen explain that this marble represents an aver- Christine Shupla presentation of the constellations, plus the facts, using a funny illustration or making a thing happens again several times, until the Astronomer/Program Producer age yellow star like Sun. Average, I explain Dorrance Planetarium ones that actually resemble what they are quip about the star patterns themselves. Just men eventually threaten to leave camp for- Cosmonova means that some stars that we see in the sky Arizona Science Center named for. Delphinus, Cygnus, Leo and as our ancestors used their imagination (and ever if the herb is put in the meal again. But PO Box 50007 are larger while others are smaller. I slowly 600 East Washington Street Canis Major come across much better than, were they ever imaginative!) to name the the women like the herb so much they can’t SE-104 05 Stockholm Sweden circle Betelgeuse with my laser pointer and Phoenix, Arizona, 85004 USA say, Perseus. constellations, I think it’s a good thing that resist putting it in an evening meal one more add, “Since Betelgeuse is classified as a super * * * Fun and the degree of recognition is the we teach during our star talks or point out * * * time. The men become so upset they chase giant star, it is much bigger than the Sun. To the women from the camp. In fact they My favorite constellation to point out is surest way to make at least some people in the “Big Macaroni & Cheese Pan in the Sky” I don’t know if this is different from the give you a comparison, if the sun was the chase the women right up into the sky. Ursa Major. I start with it for a number of rea- the audience remember constellations. After for the Big Dipper. Who knows, perhaps norm, but I never seem to get tired of help- size of a marble, then Betelgeuse would be The men return to camp very satisfied sons: 1) it’s always visible, 2) nearly everyone more than 25 years in the sky tours business Kraft might bestow a large grant to one of us ing the audience to find the Big Dipper and about the size of the planetarium dome [9.1 with themselves, but after about a week or has heard of it, and most people can find it I sometimes have people coming back, occa- for using a “cheesy” joke. the Little Dipper, and their constellations. So m or 30 feet].” I typically wave my laser so of doing the women’s work as well as on their own; when I start a star talk, I face sionally with their children, expecting Mark Reed many people are either delighted to be able pointer all around the dome to emphasis the hunting they realize they’ve made a big the projector north, set the blue lights at a another good show, and they will correct Planetarium Director to find the Big Dipper without help based on size of the dome. mistake. So they decide to go after the level consistent with a moderately light pol- you if you don’t deliver the same flat jokes Peter F. Hurst Planetarium their previous experiences, or to find it for As I work my way around the Winter women and ask them to come back to the luted city, and let the audience members about the origin of Orion, etc. but nobody c/o Jackson High School the first time. Then, by the time we’ve gone Wheel, I often will provide relative size com- camp. They run up in to the sky to catch point (with their fingers) when they see it. ever asks to have the more serious parts 544 Wildwood Avenue through how to find the North Star, and parisons to my audience of other stars, as them. But once you are in the sky you can’t I’ll then get a volunteer from the audience to repeated! Here are some of my favourites. Use Jackson, Michigan, 49201 USA noticed how much more difficult it is to find they would compare to our sun. For exam- come back to Earth, and so today you can point it out with the laser pointer. 3) The Big them at your leisure. the Little Dipper, their eyes are sufficiently ple, Aldebaran, (red giant) is about the size of still see the men chasing the women in the Dipper allows for a discussion about aster- Carina. (Not visible from Denmark, but a * * * dark adapted for me to take them out away a beach ball (about 0.5 meters or 20 inches) sky. The men are the Hyades and the isms. I talk about the French, German, sure hit when someone in the planetarium from city lights (light pollution). And they whereas Sirius, (main sequence) would be women are the Pleiades. They will be chas- ancient English, and Civil War era asterisms has asked abut the Southern Cross and we Amongst those that I point out, I have never fail to gasp at the dark sky, as several of about the same size of a quarter dollar (2.3 ing them forever. for these stars (I have props for most of these) are down under anyway). A decade or two three standard favourites. The most impor- them excitedly point out the Milky Way to cm) if held next to the yellow marble. This is the story of the discovery of the 4) Ursa Major has a rich mythology, from ago a significant number of Danish girls as a tant for me is Crux Australis - the Southern their friends. What a great teachable Within my talk, I may also discuss that onion! North American Native American to Classic matter of trend were named Carina. It is Cross. It is the most well known of the south- moment! not all the stars lie at the same distance. I Dan Goins Mediterranean cultures. 5) ultimately, we use always a pleasure to ask an audience: 1) if ern constellations, largely because it appears 28 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 29 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 30 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 32

on the Australian flag, and the flags of a few fulfillment giving the constellation sky tour * * * other nations. From my latitude (41 degrees at the beginning of one particular show: the south) it is circumpolar. Locating it serves as annual presentation of the very popular sky In the first few months of my tenure at a starting point for the fascinating binocular drama, ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ (some years, the Alexander Brest Planetarium in Jack- region of the Milky Way just to its west. Just using the alternate name, ‘The Christmas sonville, Florida, my answer to the first part to its east are the ‘Pointers’ (Alpha and Beta Star’). of the Forum question would probably have Centauri), which I use as a fine illustration of This show has been presented at Buhl been, “Any constellation that doesn’t have the different distances to, and intrinsic Planetarium since the building opened in one of the half dozen or so brightest stars in brightnesses of, the stars: Alpha is the nearest 1939. From my years as a Planetarium Lec- the sky.” The reason for this was that we’d star system to ours, but Beta is about 100 turer, it seems to me that more members of lost the brightest stars on one of the star pro- times more distant. This serves to point out the general public have been exposed to the jector’s plates, and were waiting for some that Beta must be a far brighter star to begin wonders of the night sky from this one show Zeiss technicians to fly in from Germany to with. than from any other program presented in give the projector much-needed mainte- Orion, clearly visible in our Australian the planetarium. nance and restore the light source for those skies during the warm months of the year, is During the very busy Thanksgiving and stars. So during every sky tour we had to be another great standard. I give the usual Christmas holiday weeks (at that time, Buhl very creative in talking about certain con- description of how to locate M42, how to Planetarium was open to the public every stellations that were either missing their use the belt stars to locate Sirius and Aldebar- day of the year, except Christmas, including brightest star, or which had a star fainter an, and point out the striking colour differ- Thanksgiving and New Year’s days), this than it would ideally be! ence between Rigel and Betelgeuse. Not so show was offered nearly every hour, on the I never got used to seeing Orion so high up well known by northern hemisphere star- hour, that the building was open (9:00 a.m. when the planetarium sky was set for the 30 gazers, however, is the fact that part of Orion to 9:30 p.m.). And most of these shows, par- or so degrees of Florida latitude, as I’ve spent is called the ‘Saucepan’ or ‘Iron Pot’ from my ticularly in the middle of the day, were filled most of my life seeing it much lower down part of the world. The belt stars mark the to the seating capacity (425) of the Theater from the 51-degree location of south-eastern base; a line from Eta to 42 Orionis marks the of the Stars! England. Subconsciously, if not consciously lid, and the three stars of the sword form the In the evening I rode a particular city bus on many occasions, I found myself thinking, handle, although some people, including me, home several times a week. I very casually ‘Hey, what are you doing all the way up prefer to think of the handle as extending to knew the bus driver, but he did not know there?’ If I ever get a job in the field in Aus- Kappa. what I did for a living. At the conclusion of tralia, I’m sunk … Scorpius conveniently takes over as The one of the sold-out planetarium shows dur- Here’s the topic for the next Forum col- Hunter sinks into the twilight. It’s a spectac- ing Christmas week, who came up to the umn: ular sight on winter and spring evenings, console to see me but this bus driver! Like passing very high in our southern hemi- most people, he does not have a specific How realistic is President Bush’s new Space sphere sky. I start with a description of the interest in astronomy, but he did decide to Initiative? Will astronaut safety issues hold Scorpion’s head and claws (which, of course, take his grandchildren to see the special NASA back from achieving the initiative’s are part of Libra today!) and trace the outline Christmas show at Buhl Planetarium. stated goals of establishing a base on the of his body, finishing with the stinger, by He, and many other area residents, did get Moon and Mars, or will it forge ahead and which time the audience is really convinced a taste of the night sky with the sky tour at view this as its new reason for being, for of the scorpion shape. For us, the tail of the the beginning of this show. And, considering which the Agency has been searching these Scorpion is very high, as is the surrounding that the winter constellations are among the last few decades? rich region of the Milky Way. I love to brightest and easiest to find in the sky, I am encourage people to scan this easily-found sure that some of these attendees did look So if you can send me your contribution region with binoculars. for these constellations in the days and to this discussion by the deadline of April 9, So there we have my favourite three. How weeks after attending the show. I’ll be as happy as … a person who’s happy. many others I point out depends on how Glenn A. Walsh Well, the majestic mayfly of time is about much time I spend discussing the Moon, the Former Planetarium Lecturer 1988-1991 to collide with the grubby windscreen of planets and any upcoming phenomena. I original Buhl Planetarium fate, so my time’s up and the end of the col- don’t like to give people too many things to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA umn is nigh. (It’s close, too). But I may have just enough room left to reveal that the remember; I feel very satisfied if I have * * * encouraged them to go out that evening to Galaxy’s next bright supernova will be – One of my favorites to point out is Lepus C look at the sky and remember a few basic Oh, apparently I don’t. the Hare. I always recall to the audience the things to find. It’s great to hear parents, as movie that came out in the 50s or 60s called people are leaving the show, saying to their ‘Night of the Lepus’. That’s the movie classic children, “Let’s get the binoculars out to- that has a town in Arizona attacked by hun- night!” The Planetarian welcomes dreds of 60 foot rabbits. Army tanks eventu- Martin George news of conferences, work- ally drive the rabbits into high voltage wires Launceston Planetarium shops, internships, and other that make the rabbits explode. I always get a Queen Victoria Museum activities of general interest to good audience chuckle from that story. Wellington Street planetarium professionals. David Dundee Launceston, Tasmania, 7250 Australia Please direct announcements Planetarium Director to the Executive Editor. Ac- * * * Fernbank Science Center companying photographs are When I think about my years as a 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E. welcome too. Planetarium Lecturer at Pittsburgh’s original Atlanta, Georgia, 30307, USA Buhl Planetarium (1988-1991), I felt the most

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bers, I mentioned that one of many activities Elvert in the December issue, the report and da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro (see photograph), about that in the future. Their report appears President’s Message during Jon’s term as President was to work issues raised are being discussed by Council. and it was encouraging to discuss the possi- later, as part of my President’s Message. very closely with committees, and there These discussions will continue and I’ll be bility of developing IPS presence and even During his term as President, Jon Elvert, as of experience will continue to be of great have been some changes. For some time making sure that the outcomes will appear that of an affiliate in the region. I mentioned, took an active interest in con- value to the IPS. now, Alan Gould has been the new chair- soon in the Planetarian. The subject of the international nature of tinuing to develop the committee structure As IPS members, you will all be well aware man of the web committee, and in early A major issue for me is the international the IPS prompts me to mention some impor- of the IPS. The work of the committees is of of the essential work performed by Shawn January 2005 the move of the IPS web site to nature of our Society. It’s nice to know that tant meetings coming up. Here is a list of great importance to me, and all of the IPS Laatsch and Lee Ann Hennig. As Treasurer the Science Museum of Virginia was com- the IPS currently has members in about 42 upcoming meetings and conferences over membership. Each has a significant role, and and Membership Chairman, and Secretary, pleted. Thanks to Alan, Ken Wilson, Jim countries, although, understandably, a sig- the next three months: an important aim during my period as they have served the IPS brilliantly for many Peck, and the Science Museum of Virginia nificant proportion of these are in the Unit- April 10-11: Conference of German Speak- President will be to work as closely as possi- years and I am delighted to have them still for the work they have done and the provi- ed States alone. Even so, as our Directory ing Planetaria (ADP), to be held in Genk, ble with committee chairs and to continue on the officer team. sion of the site. The SMV itself is in Rich- shows, there are planetaria in 93 countries Belgium. Jon’s work to ensure that the committees What many members may not be aware mond, Virginia, and houses a planetarium (although this includes a few territories). I May 6-8: Third European Meeting of continue to remain as active as possible. An of, however, is the enormous amount of with a 23-metre dome and a Digistar II. feel passionate about increasing the number Itinerant Planetaria, to be held in Nantes up-to-date list of IPS committees appears in Council- and Officer-related work that is per- While the Planetarian is the flagship pub- of countries with IPS members; quite apart (France), in conjunction with the yearly every issue of the Planetarian. formed in these roles. Keeping track of mem- lication of the IPS, I would encourage all from the obvious benefits of improved meeting of Association of French-Speaking Another major activity for me during my bership of a worldwide organisation and its members to make plenty of use of the IPS membership numbers, we as planetarians Planetariums (APLF). term will be my involvement in the 2006 finances is no easy task; there are so many website (www.ips-planetarium.org), which have a lot to gain from having colleagues in May 6-8: British Association of Planetaria IPS Conference, to be held in Melbourne. I’ll things to think about, and related tasks that contains a wealth of information for plane- diverse parts of the world as part of our Annual Conference, to be held at the Mu- be continuing to work closely with the host need to be done. I am delighted to say that tarians. Apart from showing information Society. My love of travel has taken me to seum of Science and Industry in Manchester, organisation – The Melbourne Planetarium Shawn’s excellent bookkeeping is second to about how the IPS is run – including its offi- some fascinating such planetaria which have UK. It will be a joint meeting with the AAE at the Museum of Victoria. I’m sure that IPS cers, affiliates and committees, which appear their own ideas and techniques to share, (Association for Astronomy Education). 2006 will be a thrilling event, and it is the Martin George, Curator none! Lee Ann’s untiring work as Secretary, too, is quite involved: just as one example, in each edition of the Planetarian – it also quite apart from the obvious skylore that May 25-28: Middle Atlantic Planetarium first time that an IPS conference will be held Launceston Planetarium non-Council members are less likely to see has posts for job openings, information on local planetarians know best. Society Conference (MAPS), to be held at the in the Southern Hemisphere! There will be Queen Victoria Museum the immaculate packets of information that the history of the IPS, and many other relat- I’ve given a good deal of thought to some Fels Planetarium, Franklin Institute, Philadel- plenty of updates in the Planetarian, on the beautifully facilitate our Council meetings, ed topics. specific countries and areas of the world in phia, Pennsylvania (USA). IPS website, and on the website of IPS 2006 – Wellington Street which are held every year. The website also has a members-only sec- which I would like to promote the IPS fur- June 14-18: Southeastern Planetarium Asso- keep an eye on www.ips2006.com. Launceston, Tasmania Next, a big welcome to Susan Button, who tion, which gives members access to such ther. ciation (SEPA) Conference, at the Fernbank From the ‘Land Down Under’, I wish you on January 1 became President-Elect of IPS. valuable sections as the Directory of the One such country is China, where we Science Centre, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). all a successful spring or autumn, depending Australia Susan is well known to many IPS members, World’s Planetariums and the Resource know of 102 planetaria, but have very few More information about these and other on your hemisphere! +61 (3) 63233777 especially because of her role as Chair of the Directory. If you’re travelling elsewhere in members. I was very pleased to be able to events can be found on the IPS website æ do your own region or venturing overseas, it is organise the 2005 IPS council meeting to be take a look! +61 (3) 63233776 fax Portable Planetarium Committee. Her depth of experience with the IPS will be of great always worth checking to see which mem- held in Beijing in September – more about Strongly related to the issue of interna- Star Partners [email protected] value, and I and the other officers look for- bers are in the areas to which you’ll be trav- that in the next issue. China is in the process tional membership is our Star Partners ward to working closely with Susan. elling, and to check out their planetariums. of organising its own planetarium group, scheme. You’ll notice that as part of every Sponsorship Report This is certainly one of my favourite activi- and I shall be encouraging them to form an renewal notice, one additional item that is It is with great pleasure that I write to you From an astronomy point of view, 2005 ties! In my opinion, the planetarium profes- affiliate. mentioned is a voluntary contribution to as the first southern-hemisphere IPS Presi- has started off brilliantly. As I write, it is not sion is a very friendly one, and planetarians Another huge area of the world is South the Star Partners Fund, which is used to aid By Dale Smith and dent. I am deeply honoured to have been long since the Huygens craft landed on worldwide welcome each other’s visits in America, which has quite a number of facili- planetaria in certain countries whose cir- elected to the position! Titan, sending back amazing pictures. By the Shawn Laatsch which facilities can be viewed and ideas ties. In particular, there are some 26 in Brazil. cumstances are such that they cannot easily Over the past two years it has been a great time you read this, I have no doubt that a exchanged. Last June, I visited the Fundação Planetário become IPS members. Dale Smith (IPS Presi- pleasure working, as President-Elect, with good deal of analysis will have been done on The Star Partners fund was established to An important note to members accessing dent, 1999 - President Jon Elvert, Past President Martin Huygens’ data, and many of you will for aid planetariums in countries with noncon- the members-only section: together with the 2000) has been Ratcliffe, Treasurer and Membership Chair- some time have had pictures from the probe vertible currencies and/or facing severe eco- move of the website to the Science Museum working on the man Shawn Laatsch and Secretary Lee Ann on your domes for your audiences to see. In nomic problems. The fund was seeded by a of Virginia, we are changing the username most appropri- Hennig. addition, we have seen the successful launch $2500 grant from The Planetary Society and and password. In this issue of the Planetarian, ate ways of con- On January 1 this year, Martin Ratcliffe of Deep Impact, which I have little doubt by donations from IPS members. After you will find a slip with this information tinuing to im- stepped down from the Past President role, will attract the attention of the public in a searching through records and narrowing included. Do make use of it! To ensure conti- plement this having served as an Officer for the past six big way in July when its impactor smashes down the list a number of times, 46 planetar- nuity of access, the old username and pass- scheme during years. Martin’s contributions to the IPS have into Comet Tempel 1. It will once again be a iums have been selected to receive a one- word will still be valid until 2005 April 1. 2005, and he been enormous. Very significantly, during time for planetarians to be the communica- year individual membership in IPS using the Returning to my role as the new IPS Presi- has been work- his period as President, Martin had the mon- tors we are, delivering the right amount of Star Partners Fund in 2005. These planetari- dent, the period in the lead-up to my being ing with Trea- umental task of hosting the 2002 IPS Con- information to the public in just the right ums are from around the globe (South President-Elect, together with the two years surer Shawn ference at Wichita at very short notice, due way! America, Central America, Eastern Europe, of being in this position itself, have given me Laatsch to en- to the unfortunate withdrawal by Morelia, In the planetarium profession, however, in Arab countries, Africa, Asia) and represent plenty of time to reflect on how I would like sure its smooth Mexico. The Wichita conference attracted a one respect the new year did not start off areas with the greatest economic need. to see the IPS progress through my period of implementa- whopping 450 attendees, and was run very well. Early in January I learned of the death Facilities sponsored will receive a letter of office. As I look back on the illustrious list of tion. I am pas- successfully indeed. of Mr. Ryuichiro Goto, Past President and welcome from IPS and a packet of materials Past Presidents, I know that they have set sionate about Jon Elvert continues as an officer in his Chairman of the Board of Goto Incorporated including posters and CDs in early 2005. We standards which are at once challenging and doing what we new and important role as Past President. in Japan, who had passed away on December encourage all IPS members to make dona- important to follow. can to work During Jon’s term as President, he too con- 19. More details about Mr. Goto appear else- tions to the Star Partners Fund. Donations Many of you will be aware that during the with less fortu- tributed greatly. Among his many activities where in this edition of the Planetarian. On may be made via membership renewal July IPS Council and Business Meetings in nate planetaria, have been his close work with IPS commit- behalf of us all in the IPS, I have sent a letter forms, or by sending donations to the IPS Valencia, the findings of the Strategic Plan- The Espaço Museu do Universo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which and I shall have Treasurer. C tees and his formulation of important of condolence to his family. houses the city’s largest planetarium. Photo Credit: Martin ning Committee, chaired by John Dicken- more to say liaisons with other organisations. Jon’s depth Returning to the work done by IPS mem- George. son, were presented. As mentioned by Jon

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ing service to the IPS organization for any Past-President’s Message president is presiding over our biennial con- ference, which for me was in Valencia, Spain mittee, and Steve Tidey to the Script Contest The conference was attended by 330 mem- Committee. The Ethics Committee had been bers from 41 countries, increased our mem- inactive for nearly ten years and the majori- bership, and attracted a large number of ty of our membership in last November’s non-U.S. members attending the conference election successfully eliminated this com- for their first time. The IPS is an organization mittee as a Standing Committee. In 2003 dependent upon dedicated volunteers Alan Gould was appointed Chair of our Web around the world and its successes over the Committee after Tom Callen stepped down. years are reflected in the hard work so many With Alan’s guidance and his committee people devote to the IPS. members, we were able to implement elec- Although I would like to list the names of tronic voting and open up possibilities for so many individuals who year after year future electronic member participation continue to volunteer so much of their time through our web site. to the IPS, most of those names already In addition, there were three Ad-Hoc appear in the listing of the IPS Officers, Committees that had either become so inac- Council members, Committee Chairs, and tive or out lived their usefulness to the IPS our Executive Editor. I know the IPS will be that I realigned, or merged them with exist- in good hands with Martin George as our ing committees in order to combine their new president and I look forward to working Jon W. Elvert resources and effectiveness. The committees with him and the other officers. I wish Mar- merged were the Laser Committee with the tin the very best for his presidency and Irene W. Pennington Technology Committee, the Consumer would like to conclude by expressing my Planetarium Affairs/Astrology Committee with the Edu- sincere thanks to you for electing me as your president. C 100 South river Road cation Committee, and the Media Distribu- tion Committee with the Outreach Com- Baton Rouge, Louisiana mittee. A revised description for each com- (Rev iews, continued from page 25) 70820 mittee appears on our web site under Ad- Hoc Committees. each star is part of a larger picture. Yet, each [email protected] Communication among officers and the story is self-contained, the description of one IPS Council is quite important and I hope star not dependent on another, allowing the As your IPS Past-president, and with that communiqué between these two groups reader to enjoy a page at random. And that’s Martin George’s acknowledgement, I would continues to improve. I have tried to estab- what I like best about this book! like to offer a few comments of my term as lish regular electronic communication president and address some of the challenges, between officers and council since our mem- … truly an outstanding goals, and opportunities that I thought we as bership can only benefit as a result. book about the sheer a society have achieved. In my first message One of the most important and beneficial beauty and diversity of two years ago, my list of objectives for the challenges for any IPS president and fellow IPS now appear longer than the two years a officers is to develop collaborative opportu- the stars. It’s a personal president has to carry them out. Two years nities with astronomy and space education treasure to me and I’m pass by quickly. related agencies, as well as improving the sure you’ll love it too. My first message appeared in the first full existing partnerships. In the past two years, colored issue of the Planetarian and those the IPS has developed firmer partnerships But wait, there’s more. days of our journal appearing in black and with NASA Outreach, JPL, STScI, ESA, and Further investigation shows there’s a white print are nearly forgotten. In that first the AAS by promoting and participating in wealth of information about the stars at the colored issue I began a series of committee collaborative opportunities, especially in the end of the book. For example, Appendix A is reports, provided by each IPS committee strategic goals of NASA’s informal education the full name list of the chosen 100 greatest chair, in hopes of improving the awareness initiatives. The IPS must continue to strive stars. Appendix B arranges the stars accord- and effectiveness of the IPS to its members, for a higher profile with these agencies and ing to evolutionary state, beginning with as well as to emphasize the benefits that each pursue connections and partnerships with their births, continuing with the lives of committee provides. In the eight issues of other international space agencies as well. sun-like stars, and ending with the spectacu- the Planetarian that appeared during my I also need to comment on our continuing lar deaths of the most massive. And finally, tenure, every committee chair, except for process with the Strategic Planning Com- Appendix C lists the stars by position from our History Committee, respond to my mittee. This committee presented a report to west to east across the sky. request for a report. I hope that the feedback the general membership last summer in Indeed, The Hundred Greatest Stars is from these committee updates met my goal Valencia that outlined their recommended truly an outstanding book about the sheer of informing you with their importance to direction. Although Council is now review- beauty and diversity of the stars. It’s a per- our society and the benefits they provide. ing and discussing these recommendations, sonal treasure to me and I’m sure you’ll love There were four vacant committee chairs any outcomes that may be implemented are it too. Whether you’re a planetarian who when I began my service, which meant that certainly months and perhaps even years presents hundreds of star shows a year, or these committees, at the time, had been inac- away. This process will span more than a someone who simply enjoys looking up on a tive and most likely ineffective. I appointed couple of presidencies. clear night, these 100 greatest stars will light Jon Bell to the Awards Committee, Mike The highlight and perhaps most challeng- your way! C Murray to the Professional Services Com-

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tarium directors at the October GLPA confer- or contain many references to the sky. For lowed by a sightseeing trip of a vineyard and gested: no00.edu/education/igcomet/igcomet.html Mobile News ence. high school and college, we find in-depth ref- the ocean near Nantes on Sunday, the 8th of “There is one juvenile book I found, sever- Solar System Models Galore! http://www Dayle Brown (Pegasus Productions; 849 erences to the sky in Shakespeare and the May from 8:30 to 18:30. Please plan to attend! al years ago, which I do strongly recom- .vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/solarsystem. Trailridge East; Mishawaka, IN 46544 USA; Canterbury Tales.” In this workshop Jeanne For detailed information about registra- mend: Marcella and the Moon, by Laura Jane Modeling with Paper Plates: http://analy email: [email protected]) presented demonstrated some sources and methods she tion fees and hotel accommodations send an Coats, New York: Macmillan; London: Col- zer.depaul.edu/paperplate. “Our Neighbor, the Moon,” a lesson she has used to bring literature to life for differ- email to: [email protected]. lier Macmillan, ©1986. This book explains For skymaps: http://www.skymaps.com. designed for students in Grades 3-8 (8 to15 ent grade levels. Workshop participants the phases of the Moon, as a duck named Excellent Saturn model project: http:// year-olds). Participants observed, predicted, interacted in a shadow projection effect, Recommended Astronomy Books Marcella likes drawing each phase. The only spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/projects.shtm1. and modeled the phases of the moon as it uniting literature, sky, and art. And we sym- for Children: criticism I would have about this book is Comparison activities: http://solar-center revolves around our planet through a starry pathized with characters in a Spanish chil- James G. Beaber; (Director, Robert H. John- that one page shows the duck watching a .stanford.edu/compare/comparison.html. sky. In addition, we reviewed how to model dren’s book who are unable to “Lasso the son Planetarium, Jefferson County Public sunset, which children really should not do Fun with waves – really cool. http://www eclipses of the sun and moon. Moon.” Schools, 200 Kipling Street, Lakewood, Colo- without proper eye protection. .ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/helfand. Susan Reynolds Button (Quarks to Clus- rado 80226 USA; Phone: 1-303-982-7278; Now, this is primarily geared for pre- Great 3-D images to print out: http:// ters; 8793 Horseshoe Lane; Chittenango, New email: [email protected]) wrote to the school and first grade, so I am not sure how www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/slidesets/ York 13037 USA; Phone: 1-315-687-5371; email: Dome-L listserve expressing some concerns, appropriate it would be third graders. But, if 3dsolarsystem/3d_index.shtml. [email protected]) engaged partici- which are common to all of us, about appro- you are purchasing for first graders, you And glasses to order for them! http://www pants in a lesson called “Celestial Motions.” priate books for use with his younger stu- might want to check it out.” .rainbowsymphony.com. During this workshop, the planetarium was dents. I include some of his comments and Steve Berr (Mid-Atlantic Starlab Sales, 2910 Spacetoys! http://www.spacetoys.com. used as a laboratory and participants experi- some good recommendations from various Sheffield Drive, Plymouth Meeting, Penn- Check out the Saturn V model! enced a lesson that can be used with 14-year- colleagues. sylvania 19462 USA; Phone: 1-800-7827-960; More ... http://spacewander.com. old students and older. The lesson involved Jim wrote, “I’ve been reviewing a number email: [email protected]) comments: “Steve Here’s a list of educational pages for ele- Susan Reynolds Button locating and recording the apparent celestial of astronomy booklets for our third grade Tomacek, who also is known as the “Dirt mentary teachers: astronomy curriculum …. Each of them has Quarks to Clusters motion of four easily identifiable stars at Meister,” is a very talented explainer of sci- http://www.mtlakes.org/ww/tech/webtoo “home” latitude and at selected other lati- some mistakes that range from quibbling to ence who has written several books for the ls/astro.htm. 8793 Horseshoe Lane tudes. With the information collected stu- pretty major …. My biggest concern in these National Geographic series “Jump Into Enchanted Learning has lots of fun activi- Chittenango, New York dents can then calculate the average hourly mistakes is that eventually some of this stuff Science”. These books are for the younger ties including calendars to print and color, Dayle Brown demonstrates how to apparent motion and as well as the latitude will be contradicted when kids come to visit reader, and as such are rare avis in the world volcanoes to make, and a lot more! Go to teach, by using a model, the reasons me, or when they get older and hit astrono- 13037 USA for the phases of the moon. Photo by of the observer. Discussion included how of children’s science books which are fre- http://www.enchantedleaming.com/ (1) 315-687-5371 Jeanne Bishop. knowledge of apparent celestial motion is my in the upper grades. I really think it’s quently aimed at middle school and up. I crafts/astronomy or http://www.Enchanted reflected and passed on in the sky stories of important that even little mistakes not be have gotten these books for my grandchil- Learning.com/Home.html. (1) 315-432-4523 (fax) Jeanne Bishop (Westlake Schools Planetari- various cultures. taught to kids at an early age, and I think the dren when they were 5 to 8, and they were a [email protected] um; 24525 Hilliard Road; Westlake, Ohio research backs this up pretty well.” big hit. Titles that would be of interest in- Native American Bear Story: 44145 USA; email: [email protected]) pre- Third European Meeting of Itiner- “I have a couple of questions. clude “Sun” and “Stars”, but he has others There is an Iroquois cosmological story sented a lesson called “Making Language Arts ant Planetaria: 1): Are there any elementary level books (not all for National Geographic) and all are that deals with the hunting of the Great IPS Election: Come Alive in the Planetarium.” Jeanne Gilles Roussel, in Nantes, has organized the (25-50 pages) that are currently published well written, accurate and cutely illustrated. Bear. This story explains why the stars of the I would like to express a sincere “Thank explained that the planetarium promotes 2005 APLF Conference with a double per- that you know and recommend? We are For a look at Tomacek’s stuff, go to http:// Big Dipper turn in a circle through the sea- You” to each of you who recently voted for multidiscipline learning. She reminded us spective: the usual APLF meeting (in French), looking at books on constellations, the sun, dirtmeister.com and follow the links to his sons. One version of this story can be found me as your new President Elect. I am grateful that, “We usually think of planetarium and the Third European Meeting of Portable the moon, and possibly the earth and other books.” at Glenn Welker’s website http://www. for your vote of confidence. IPS members lessons as science, but topics that are totally Planetariums (in English). Separate rooms are planets. Carrie Zaitz (Planetarium Director,Crest- indians.org/welker/hunting.htm. and regional affiliate members have been a in other disciplines also are possible. Litera- reserved for hosting the two programs. 2) Are there any other materials (comput- wood School District, 1501 N. Beech Daly, Other versions of the story say there were tremendous support to me in the past with ture is an essential part of school learning.” The conference will be held in the presti- er programs, videos) that people can recom- Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127 USA; only three brothers and the dog is the faint my professional growth and efforts to net- Jeanne demonstrated how the planetarium gious “Palais des Congrès” of Nantes, from mend for this age group?” Phone: 1-313-274-3703; email; czaitz@csdm star, Mizar, beside the middle brother. An in- work small and portable planetariums. could assist in making literature “come Thursday afternoon, May 5th, to Saturday Below are some recommendations for .k12.mi.us) presented the following resources teresting aside is something I recently learn- Thank you all and please keep giving me alive” for students. She explained, “A number evening, May 7th. The meeting will close good resources from our colleagues. If you at the GLPA 2004 Conference: ed; when someone died the Iroquois were feedback! In this new job, IPS President Elect, of children’s books either center on the sky with a “gala dinner” on Saturday night fol- have some more to add please email me at: English Language Books: heard to say that that person was “turned I represent all planetarium staff in domes of [email protected] Max Goes to the Moon by Jeffrey Bennett over” – just as the bear “turns over” in the sky all sizes and having a variety of missions. Kevin Conod (Planetarium Manager/ (Big Kids Science; www.BigKidsScience.com, when it is killed! Please contact me with your concerns and Astronomer; Dreyfuss Planetarium; The ©2003) ISBN: 0-972-1819-03 Below are some comments about how two suggestions about how IPS can better serve Newark Museum; 49 Washington Street; Sky Tree – Seeing Science Through Art by planetarians adjust their telling of this story. you. Newark, New Jersey 07102 USA; Phone: 973- Thomas Locker (Harpers Collins Publisher; Gene Zajac (Director, Shaker Heights Plan- Congratulations to Lee Ann and Shawn. 596-6529; email: kconod@newarkmuseum www.harperchildrens.com; ©1995) ISBN: 0- etarium, Shaker Heights High School, 15911 We are all grateful for your continued excel- .org; Website: www.newarkmuseum.org/ 06-443750-7. Aldersyde Drive, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 lent service. I certainly appreciate the chance planetarium) recommends: Little Bear’s Special Wish by Gillian Lobel USA; Phone: 1-216-295-4251; email: pgzajac@ to join them, Martin, and Jon and the entire There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob (Little Tiger Press; ©2004) ISBN: 1-58925-034-6. adelphia.net) writes, “I teach the story with Council in their quality work. I also look for- Crelin The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus by the bear rising with the sun. The Native ward to making my own contributions as Usborne Night Sky Spotter’s Guide by Aliki (Harper Collins Publisher; ©1994) ISBN: Americans would see the bear rising higher we strive to provide members with services Nigel Henbest. 0-06-023531-4. each morning. When the last native in the that meet their varied needs. I will depend Kevin also suggested some books related Foreign Language Book: hunt joins the group (Arcturus), that is when on your input! to light pollution. See his list: http://dark Allacciate le cinture! Viaggiando si impara the arrows fly. Again the sunrise follows. sky.org/infoshts/is127.html dentro il sistema solare di Joanna Cole With each day we see the bear is under 40th Great Lakes Planetarium Glenn A. Walsh, a free-lance writer and in- (©1990) ISBN: 88-04-41530-4 (Italian) attack. The blood falls on the Native Society Conference, October ternet web page designer, (P.O. Box 1041 Internet Sites Americans because they are below the bear. 2004: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15230-1041 USA; “Here are a few internet resources for It is shaken off and falls upon the leaves and Three interesting hands-on workshops Phone: 412-561-7876; email: siderostat1991@ activities to make and/or play with:” thus they turn color. Good point to bring up Participants fill out a worksheet as they track four stars and note the stars’ posi- were provided for small and portable plane- tions every two hours. Photo by Jeanne Bishop. yahoo.com or [email protected]) sug- Great Make a Comet site: http://www. the red coves.”

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“By this time Corona Borealis is seen ris- tion.com; Website: http://DigitalisEducation Molecularium: images and data are barely 24 hours old as I The 7.5 by 13 cm (3 by 5-inch) cards made ing just before sunrise. I point out the spirit .com) wrote to say, “I wanted to let you Damian Huising (Sr. Program Administra- What’s New write, but already we can see how bizarre of glossy cardboard sport color or black-and- of the bear now enters the ‘cave’ shown know that we have finished testing the cus- tor, Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center, and fascinating and wonderful a world white images of Saturn’s clouds, rings, below Arcturus. The spirit is alive and well. tom lens for the Digitarium Alpha, and it 1108th Street (MRC 215), Troy, New York we’ve found in Titan (whether the early moons, and magnetosphere courtesy mostly As the winter progresses, we can see the foot- makes a big difference. It projects a brighter 12180 USA) wrote to tell me about an unusu- description above holds true or not) – and of the Cassini and Voyager spacecraft. Each prints of the bear. Spring returns when the image which makes more colors visible to al show for very young students. I hope to how much fun it is to be world travelers in card provides a description of the image and cave is as high as the bear and the spirit can the human eye, and the projection is sharper preview this show in February. the cosmic sense of the words! asks a questions that’s answered on the back. awaken to fill the footprints.” overall.” Damian explained, “The nation’s first and We’ve all gotten quite a vicarious ride The cards are of nice quality, the informa- Steve Berr (Mid-Atlantic Starlab Sales, 2910 “You probably remember that with the only ‘Molecularium’ is designed to introduce with ESA’s Huygens probe, and with Cassini, tion is good, and the set retails for a remark- Sheffield Drive, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsyl- old lens we had significant chromatic aberra- students in grades K-3 to simple material sci- too, and its razor-sharp images of Saturn’s ably economical $5 U.S. For an equally eco- vania 19462 USA; Phone: 1-800-7827-960; tion; stars near the horizon looked like ence concepts, including the states of matter rings and storms, its closer and better eye- nomical $9.50, you can get the “Saturn email: [email protected]) Steve writes: “I stretched-out rainbows. With the new lens, – solids, liquids, and gases – using planetari- sight turning Dione’s blurry wisps into Science Package” which includes the card have told the story with the Bear dying and there is some blue/violet chromatic aberra- ums in a new way for science education. In- white-faced cliffs, and showing us that some- set, a full-color “Saturn Science Sheet” featur- being re-born each year, but another way is tion (again particularly near the horizon), stead of taking people from earth to space, body forgot to sand the equatorial seam off ing pictures and information on both sides to tell the story is with the bear being but the stars are far sharper and there are no the show will take viewers on an audio-visu- of Iapetus when it came out of the mold. (which can be purchased separately for $5.50) wounded, and then going into a cave to more rainbows. It’s definitely a great im- al journey through the molecular-scale New views indeed, with more news to and a note card with a Saturn image ($1.75 nurse his wounds, which heal during the provement.” world.” come, undoubtedly, from the frigid realm of individually). winter, and in the spring he goes back into “I believe I mentioned in my last email “The project is part of the educational and the ringed planet. More discoveries and mys- The Saturn materials are just the latest in a the sky where he is once again chased by the that we also added a video-in port, so that outreach program of Rensselaer’s National teries for us to share with our publics, and series of fine products following the same hunters, who (by the way) bided their winter users can hook a computer up to the projec- Science Foundation funded Nanoscale Jim Manning more insight and context to be gained over- theme. There’s a dandy full-color 48-card set in another cave.” tor.” Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) for Taylor Planetarium all on the family of the sun. of the Hubble Space Telescope’s greatest hits Directed Assembly of Nanostructures. Rens- Already, these new views are popping up in the same description and question-and- Digitarium Alpha Update: Teaching Opportunities in Italy: selaer has been awarded a grant from the Museum of the Rockies in educational products as well as our classes answer format, the cards 6.5 by 9 cm (2.5 by Karrie Berglund (Director of Education; I encourage members to take advantage of National Science Foundation (NSF) to ex- Montana State University and shows; note the first item in this season’s 3.5 inches) in size. The set retails for $8.99. If Digitalis Education Solutions; P.O. Box 2976; the following exciting opportunities by pand the Molecularium project and produce column for a nice example. you like your Hubble images bigger, there’s a Bremerton, Washington 98310 USA; Phone: applying before the listed deadlines. two 20-minute multimedia shows that Bozeman, Montana 59717 gallery of larger photographic prints avail- 1-360-616-8915; email: karrie@digitaliseduca The next deadline for applicants of “A explore the inner workings of a living cell.” USA Saturn with a Phlare able in 40.5 by 51 cm (16 by 20-inch) and 51 Week in Italy for an American Planetarium Molecularium Project in the News: The Theresa DeGroote of Phlare, Inc., 9565 by 76 cm (20 by 30-inch) sizes, at $30 apiece. Operator” is April 15, 2005. For more details following are published (online) articles [email protected] West 52nd Avenue, Arvada, Colorado 80002 And if you want to share some of these go to http://www.colibrionline.it/MG/ about the Molecularium: http://www USA, telephone 1-303-513-1565 or 1-888-731- images and others in your correspondence, Week_in_Italy.htm. .rpi.edu/research/magazine/summer04/mole 2398, fax 1-303-431-6950, e-mail customer- you might consider “Greetings Through Drainage channels descending from hills. John T. Meader (Director, Northern Stars cularium_1.html and http://www.rpi.edu/ [email protected], web site www.phlare.com, Space and Time,” two sets of eight note cards What looks like a shoreline – swathed, per- Planetarium, P.O. Box 302 Fairfield, Maine homepage/molecularium.html. has parlayed a number of Cassini’s pre- featuring lovely images of planets, stars, neb- 04937-0302 USA; Phone: 1-207-453-7668; haps, in a wisp of chemical fog. Tantalizingly Huygens shots into a 15-item set of “Saturn ulae and galaxies for $12 ($1.75 individually). email: [email protected]; Website: Words to Ponder: dark and smooth pond-sized patches. A Science Cards,” one of Phlare’s numerous www.northern-stars.com) was the winner in “The magic of the planetarium: It’s not soggy landing spot, maybe, littered with products combining space photographs and 2004. Read his article that appears earlier in what you see that counts, it’s what you stone-sized ice chunks as smooth as river bite-sized facts to provide “inspiration and this journal to get an idea of what this expe- think you see and what you remember hav- rocks in what looks suspiciously like a flow education through imagery” as the company rience is about. ing seen.” Steve Schaffer (Director, Argus channel. An orange, hazy sky. All topped off, logo states. August 31, 2005 is the deadline for appli- Planetarium-Pioneer High School, Ann perhaps, with a chilly crust of organic goo. cants of “A week in Italy for a French Plane- Arbor Public Schools, 601 W. Stadium, Ann Where do I buy my travel ticket? tarium Operator”. September 30, 2005 is the Arbor, Michigan 48103 USA; Phone 1-734- deadline for applicants of “A week in Italy 994-1771; email: [email protected]) for a Spanish Planetarium Operator”. For made this comment during a demonstration This is the new Digitarium Alpha. more details go to:http://www.colibrionline of his planetarium, with a new Digistar 3 SP Photo by Karrie Berglund. .it/MG/international_collaboration.htm. projector, at the 2004 GLPA conference. C

Life at the Limits: Earth, Mars, and Beyond

The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites you to join an Earth-bound exploration of astrobiology on July 10-17, 2005.

Life at the Limits: Earth, Mars, and Beyond is a NASA-sponsored training workshop for middle- and high-school science teach- ers (others welcome, including pre-service teachers, informal educators , education specialists, early college instructors, and junior college instructors). At field sites in Nevada and California participants will investigate some extreme geological and chemical conditions in which life on Earth can thrive. This hands-on, real-world experience will enhance classroom teaching Hubble Science Cards, courtesy of about earth and space science, especially about what organisms need to survive and the search for past and present extraterres- Phlare, Inc. trial life. Astrobiologists and planetary scientists will lead the field and laboratory experiences, helping to connect the field The surface of Titan, courtesy of ESA. observations with the search for life in our solar system and beyond through discussions and proven, hands-on, standards- And don’t forget the Red Planet. Phlare based classroom and laboratory activities that are ready to share with students. offers a set of 25 cards (same size and format For only the fifth time in human history, as the Saturn cards) featuring imagery from For more information and to access the on-line application, please visit http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/fieldtrips/2005. by my count, we Earthlings have landed a virtually every successful Mars mission spacecraft (on purpose) for the first time on The Saturn Science Cards, courtesy of including the rovers still at work, plus a 46 Phlare, Inc. Applications Due: March 23, 2005. another body of the solar system. The first by 61 cm (18 by 24-inch) map of Mars on

40 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 41 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 42

heavy paper that features a nicely rendered light shows sans laser, relying on computer tions of video and audio, the delivery of comes in at a little under $16,000 U.S. – about equatorial mount for $499. and labeled map with vital statistics on one graphics, video, and other visual media to printed and mounted slides, and other varia- $20,000, give or take, if you include an inflat- All of the usual accouterments are avail- side and imagery and information on the carry the day. Now they’ve brought their tions in the show package are available at able dome. For more information on the able: accessory packs of eyepieces, Barlow other. All for $10.99. philosophy of injecting the energy of such additional cost. Digitarium, contact Karrie Berglund or Rob lenses, filter packs, right angle finders, laser And if you like several of these products, entertainment programming into educa- We’ve just been to Titan; one day we may Spearman as given above. collimators, star charts and atlases, observing you can get assorted combination packages tional programming by creating a planetari- also make good on our desire to land on software, reference books, red lights, foam- Skyware ranging from $13.75 to $20.00 retail. um program featuring Europa and our Europa,Way drill beneath the icy crust, and see padded carrying cases – even the new Celes- These are very nice and high-quality prod- increasing suspicions that it may harbor an what’s actually there. Europa: Life Finds a Remember, we use our equipment (like tron Power Tank 17 12-volt rechargeable ucts, colorful and informative and just the under-ice ocean that maybe, just maybe, has and programs like it are one way, I Digitarium) in the hope of getting people power supply (if you’re star-tracking beyond sort of modestly-priced items you ought to prospects for the development of simple life. think, to let people in on the dream. It’s out under the sky to use their equipment to the reach of an electrical outlet), a portable be selling in your gift shop or using in your The program, based on the script I looked always nice to see new sources of content explore the universe, be it eye, binoculars, outdoor propane heater to keep those toot- elementary school or popular-level classes. over, moves along smartly and does a nice springing up to serve the community; High- telescope, camera, the Hubble Space Tele- sies warm (just don’t put it on the ground in Phlare is a relatively new source of cool stuff, job of covering the gamut – from our early light Design is another one to check out. scope – whatever they have at their disposal. front of telescope), and my personal favorite: and you’ll want to check out its web site and notions and desires for a universe teeming Recently, I’ve come across a company new a portable espresso maker to keep those contact the company for a quote on whole- with life, through Galileo’s discovery of the Digitarium Redux to me that offers just such useful skyware insides warm as well! sale prices for resale; generally, the wholesale four large moons of Jupiter, to speculative In the last issue, I described my experience (well, except for the Hubble, and you have to The Hardin scientific arsenal also extends quotes run about 50% of the retail prices ideas about Europa’s possible ocean and life- with the Digitarium Alpha, a cost-friendly provide your own eye). It’s called Hardin to planispheres, astronomical globes, elec- (which is common) – and the larger the bearing prospects based on our studies and way for the smallest planetariums to enter Optical, P.O. Box 219, Bandon, Oregon 97411 tronic “planetarium” software, tripods, spot- order, the better the wholesale price. especially the results of spacecraft Galileo, to the Digital Full-Dome Age, from Digitalis USA, telephone 1-800-394-3307 and fax 1-541- ting scopes, an extensive array of binoculars, And with the Mars rovers still at work as I potentially analogous situations below the Education Solutions, P.O. Box 2976, Bremer- 347-8176 (to order things) or 1-877-633-8235 compasses, two-way radio sets, and GPS write, and Huygens data coming in, and Antarctic ice (a nice touch), to a trio of possi- ton, Washington 98310 USA, telephone 360- (for questions) e-mail telescopeshop@Hardin receivers (ranging from expensive models to Cassini just getting started, and Deep Impact ble missions to explore the depths of this 616-8915, fax 360-616-8917, e-mail karrie@ Optical.com, web sites www.HardinOptical the surprisingly simple and inexpensive DigitalisEducation.com or rob@Digitalis .com or www.ModernThought.com. freshly launched on its mission to whack mysterious moon. Geko brand models selling for as little as The Orion catalog, courtesy of Orion Comet Tempel I, and other missions in the I’ve viewed Highlight’s promotional DVD Education.com, web site www.Digitalis The company’s flagship product, based on $109). The company also sells a variety of Telescopes & Binoculars. offing, I would expect to see more of these containing a trailer and a “teaser” for the Education.com. my examination of its catalog and web site, weather-tracking instruments and refer- cosmic trading cards and other products show, and the production techniques and Since then, Karrie Berglund has reported to is the “Deep Space Hunter,” a Dobsonian- ences, children’s and adult’s microscopes, optics brush, and a small red LED flashlight – with a “phlare” showing up soon. Do check it values (aside from a few misspellings of me that the new lens designed for the system mount reflecting telescope that comes in a and science toys. plus a carrying case for your belt. (It sells for out! words) were most impressive, and the music has arrived, and it provides brighter and variety of primary mirror sizes: 15, 20, 25 and It looks like another good source of $24.95.) was very good – boding well for the show sharper imagery while improving on chro- 30 cm (six, eight, ten and 12 inches). The materiel to advance scientific exploration of Another clever device is Orion’s electronic Europa or Bust itself, perhaps. I’ve also skimmed a list of matic aberration. Digitalis has also added a smaller sizes comes with standard 25 mm Earth and sky. Make a note, and have a look. imaging eyepiece – a small device that fits Another place we’d like to land is Jupiter’s slides and about 20 video clips – all of which video-in port to the system to allow projec- and 9 mm Astrola Plössl eyepieces, the into any telescope 1.25-inch focuser tube and promising moon Europa, which may have seem appropriate. I did have a few quibbles tion directly from another computer, and largest size with four (including a wide-field); Skyware et al can transmit live video images of whatever taken the potential of Titan and done some- with the production draft of the script I has added software features as well: preces- the larger sizes are also available in several And while you’re noting and looking, it is that you’re aimed at (that’s reasonably thing with it. A new production design com- reviewed: there were some confusing sen- sion is now accounted for, planet trails can tube colors. Retail price ranges from $249 U.S. recent catalogs from Orion Telescopes and bright) via a single cable that plugs into a TV, pany named Highlight Design, P.O. Box 2755, tences and a few wrong words (for example, be turned on to keep track of how the plan- for the 15 cm (six-inch) to $899 for the 30 cm Binoculars and Edmund Scientifics remind VCR, or camcorder. The units come in Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501, telephone 1- “radioactive energy” when “radiation” was ets move in the sky, and you can choose to (12-inch). me that we have many such useful sources. monochrome and color versions, contain a 616-706-2814, e-mail info@highlightdesign meant), and a couple of concepts presented use more than one pixel per star or planet in The company also offers 15 and 20 cm (six Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, P.O. Box CCD detector similar to that contained in .com, web site www.highlightdesign.com has that raised questions for me (I need more a full-sky view to help make star, planet and and eight-inch) “StarHOC” reflectors with 1815, Santa Cruz, California 95061, telephone video camcorders, and runs on a 9-volt alka- alsoWay. done something about it by producing a convincing, for example, that comet impacts constellation identification easier. equatorial mounts for between $400 and 1-800-676-1343 (information) or 1-800-447- line battery. The sensitivity isn’t great program for sale entitled Europa: Life Finds A on Earth can “easily” send organic material All nice improvements to a system that $600, and a 90 mm StarHOC refractor on an 1001 (orders) or 1-831-763-7000 (for informa- enough to use on most deep sky objects, but to Europa, or that Jupiter’s infrared emission tion and orders from outside the U.S.), fax 1- according to the catalog, can display images The new company’s movers and shakers, can contribute significantly to the warming 831-763-7024, e-mail [email protected] (for of the moon, planets, or the sun (you need Matt Fox and Chad Kremer, come from a of Europa’s insides). I’m not sure that this was sales and product information) or support@ the proper filter for the last). The mono- film background plus experience producing a final script, but as always, these are my telescope.com (for product support), web site chrome version sells for $64.95, the color for laser light shows for the Roger B. Chaffee opinions only and it’s important that you telescope.com is another great source of all $119. Planetarium in Grand Rapids – as well as laser check out these things out for yourself. things astronomical. The company offers an Edmund Scientific’s “Scientifics,” 60 If you’re interested in the program or exhaustive supply of its own telescope mod- Pearce Avenue, Tonawanda, New York learning more about Highlight Design, check els – reflectors, refractors (Newtonian and 14150, telephone 1-800-728-6999 (ordering out the web site, which includes basic infor- Cassegrain), Maksutov-Cassegrains – plus and customer service) or 1-716-874-9091, fax mation, a pricing sheet for the program, and finder scopes, eyepieces, Barlow lenses, filters, 1-800-828-3299, web site www.scientificson- a licensing agreement which is pretty stan- laser collimators, flashlights, charts and refer- line.com offers telescopes and binoculars dard, but refreshingly acknowledges that ences, software, carrying cases, reference with accessories as well, but the catalog also planetariums are different and allows for books, binoculars, tripods, power supplies – contains an amazing variety of other devices technical (if not content or artistic) modifi- and those green laser pointers that (unset- and scientific toys. cations in order to perform the program in tlingly to me and to airline pilots, apparent- Here you can find a binary clock (that tells your specific technological circumstances. ly) seem to go on forever. time in binary code through a series of blink- The standard digital package (which in- Among the more novel items are a set of ing LED lights), a tide clock that keeps track cludes an audio CD with soundtrack and ten brass telescopes – 50 mm and 60 mm refrac- of tides, a radio-controlled hovercraft and minutes of walk-in music, a DVD containing tors on tripods of African mahogany (there’s mylar blimp, a night vision monocular (for all video sequences (plus the teaser and trail- also a tabletop model and a spyglass), and the keeping track of mischievous students in the er), another CD containing the slide set in “Astronomer’s VersaTool” that looks like a planetarium dark?), radiometers, pocket .tiff format, and yet another CD with pro- fat blue Swiss Army Knife equipped with microscopes, celestial globes, weather sta- duction materials, slide and video sequence knife, various screwdrivers and wrenches, The Hardin Optical catalog, courtesy tions, rock polishing kits, microscopes, bird lists, copy of contract, and assorted promo- Digitarium Alpha lens and sky, cour- can and bottle openers (of course!), awl Europa, courtesy of NASA/JPL. of Hardin Optical. feeders, ice cream makers (remember, cook- tional items) costs $995 U.S. Other configura- tesy of Digitalis Education Solutions. punch, pliers, keychain ring, writing pen,

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Also in its third year this year is Domefest, promote new relationships between infor- their proposals (and most of them are a the juried full-dome festival managed by the mal and formal education, to expand infor- mouthful!) for your information: Lodestar Astronomy Center of the Univer- mal education programs among the under- • ArtReach-International, Herndon, Virginia sity of New Mexico in Albuquerque. This fes- served, to excite youth about science and – Exploring how to use Electronic-Educa- tival invites any and all producers of full- technology and to stimulate parents and tion and Multimedia to Inspire American- dome digital content (individuals and com- others to support their children’s learning, Indians on Reservations to Pursue Studies panies alike) to display their work on the and to encourage the development of an in Aerospace. Lodestar dome. If the festival runs as it did informed public that can make responsible • American Museum of Natural History, last year, a selection of prize winning and decisions about science and technology. New York, New York – Seeing the Uni- other full-dome sequences will be assembled These goals are to be furthered by engag- verse: Visualizing Space for Informal for display at other sites – as was the case at ing the informal education community in Science Education Audiences. the IPS conference in Valencia last summer. discussions about how to involve the public • Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama – With the proliferation of full-dome plane- in shaping and experiencing NASA-related Extending NASA Education Resources tarium theaters of various species in recent missions, by identifying resources that can Through 4-H. years, and the number of companies and enhance informal education programs, by • Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, individuals producing content these days, providing NASA-related professional devel- California – NASA Explorer Institutes Pilot this festival is a nice opportunity to show- opment opportunities for the informal edu- Focus Group on Digital Planetariums: case full-dome art and technology. As of this cation community, and by facilitating col- Building Bridges between Informal writing, specific information on the 2005 laborative partnerships between the infor- Science Education Institutions, Universi- festival seems not yet available on the inter- mal and formal education communities. ties and National Labs, Planetarium and net, but as of your reading, I would think Phase I of this project involved the staging Interactive Games Programmers and The Scientifics catalog, courtesy of The Astrographics catalog, courtesy The Novaspace catalog, cover image that it is. Check out the web site www.dome- of a series of professional development work- NASA Staff and Facilities. Edmund Scientific. of astrographics.com. by Joe Tucciarone, courtesy of Nova- fest.com to find out, or contact Domefest shops at NASA facilities for informal educa- • Challenger Center for Space Science Edu- space Galleries. Chair David Beining at Lodestar via the web tors late last year. Phase II involved conduct- cation, Kansas City, Missouri – Challenger ing is science), plasma balls and lava lamps, ground scenes. Dennis Kunkel’s microscopic eBay-style. site www.lodestar.unm.edu, telephone 1-505- ing a series of focus groups to identify strate- Learning Center Network NEI Focus robotic toys, solar-powered walking “beast- pictures of midges, aphids, mites, molds and You can contact the company for a cata- 841-5985, or fax 1-505-841-5999. gies that can be used to implement the NEI Groups Exploring Common Resources and ies,” water rockets, air gliders, small hot air other very small things are equally fascinat- log, and/or browse the web site. There’s program effectively. Competitive proposals Needs with NASA Field and Education balloons, the world’s largest “solar bag” (you ing, and Ted Kinsman’s photos of assorted much of beauty and interest to find here – NASA Focusing were invited to fund focus group experi- Offices. fill the black-surfaced long balloon with air, subjects ranging from fruit splashing into not to mention lovely prints and other prod- Last September, NASA’s Office of Educa- ences late last year, and last December, • The EdVenture Group, Morgantown, West let the sun heat it up, and watch it rise—teth- water to the unique patterns of snowflakes ucts for resale in your gift shops; check out tion announced an Informal Education eleven proposals were selected – many of Virginia – The Integration of NASA NEI er it if you want to keep it), gyroscopes, as- to a moth in flight are also intriguing. There the wholesale prices web site at http://www Division initiative to establish a new U.S. them, not surprisingly, involving organiza- Programs and Resources into After School sorted “spy” devices, puzzles, the “Paintcan are posters, T-shirts, and even a few slides sets .novaspace.com/Wholesale.html. national-level program called NASA Ex- tions and facilities in our own planetarium and Professional Development Programs camera” (a pin-hole camera made out of a offered, as well as note cards and puzzles fea- plorer Institutes (NEI), designed to provide community or closely related to it. The focus Offered by Informal Science Education paint can), dinosaur scale models, ant farms, turing Hubble images. Sky Animated “engaging experiences, opportunities, mate- groups were to have been conducted in Institutions in the Eastern Region via a boomerangs, chemistry sets, root beer mak- All of it lovely; check it out for the aes- The celebration of our particular brand of rials, and information to members of the January and February of this year, and so Focus Group Hosted by The EdVenture ing, cheese making, and wine making kits thetics alone – and then for anything you art is beginning to translate into invitations informal education community …” The should be concluded as you read. It will be Group. (remember, cooking is chemistry), and the find useful to have. to participate in media festivals here and goals are to improve the public’s understand- interesting to find out what they’ve all come • The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Penn- astronomy version of the board game Mono- Another lovely place to visit, if you there. One example is the Kalamazoo ing and appreciation of science, technology, up with, as I’m sure we will in the coming sylvania – Using Internet2 in Informal poly – among many other items. haven’t lately, is the Novaspace Galleries Animation Festival International on May 13- engineering, and mathematics to enhance months. In the meantime, here’s a list of the Science Education: Connecting K-6 Educa- It’s a great “science is fun” sort of catalog. If web site at www.novaspace.com. This com- 15 (in its third year of operation). scientific and technical skills and literacy, to eleven focus group sites and the titles of tors with NASA’s Earth and Space Science you’ve not browsed it (or the web site) lately, pany focuses on realistic space art rather The festival, developed by Kalamazoo Resources. have a look. than space photographs, and features the Valley Community College “to bring new • Great Lakes Planetarium Association, Min- original art, giclee prints and limited prints animation art forms to the screen,” is extend- neapolis, Minnesota – A Two Day Focus Sky Beautiful of some of the foremost space artists around, ing a call for Digistar entries for a Digistar Group on How Best to Deliver NASA’s And why do we buy all of this stuff to including the likes of Alan Bean, Chris Butler, competition – given the college’s close rela- Science & Technology Explorations to look and to learn? Because the sky (and the Michael Carroll, Lynette Cook. Don Davis, tionship with the Kalamazoo Valley Small and Mid-Sized Planetariums. world) is beautiful and interesting – and if we William K. Hartmann, Pamela Lee, Robert Museum which houses a Digistar II system in • OU Sooner Flight Academy, Norman, needed any reminders, we’d find them in McCall, Kim Poor, Pat Rawlings, and Joe its planetarium theater. The entry deadline is Oklahoma – New Frontiers: Focusing on places like the Astrographics Product Catalog Tucciarone among others. There are “bud- April 1 – -and entry is free. For details, visit the Future of NASA Explorer Institutes: A from astrographics.com, 539 Concord Road, get” prints, posters, and holiday cards as well. the event’s web site at kafi.kvcc.edu or con- Regional Collaborative Effort among Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 USA, 1-888- Just beautiful stuff. The company also deals tact festival director David Baker at 1-269- NASA, The University of Oklahoma’s 827-8768 (to order), fax 1-215-364-3154, web in astronaut memorabilia, ranging from 373-7921. Sooner Flight Academy and the Informal site www.astrographics.com. autographed pictures to some flown-in-space Education Community. The 2005 catalog is filled with colorful items. • Pacific Science Center, Seattle, Washing- Hubble Space Telescope images available as One of the newer products I’ve noticed is a ton – Bringing NASA into Focus: Improv- 51 cm by 51 cm (20-inch by 20-inch) or 122 series of three resin castings by Rick Stern- ing Effective Use of NASA Resources with cm by 122 cm (48-inch by 48-inch) gallery bach of the Olympus Mons, Kasei Vallis, and the Informal Science Education Commu- prints ranging from about $30 U.S. for the Gusev Crater regions of Mars, based on data nity. smaller unframed prints to several hundred from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter • Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado dollars for the larger size framed. A number (MOLA) on the Mars Global Surveyor and – NASA Listens to the 4-Corners: Informal of David Malin color astrophotos are similar- mounted on walnut plaques. (They retail for & Formal Educators from the Rural and ly offered, as are a set by Matt BenDaniel, Dr. $75 U.S.) Another interesting wrinkle is that Culturally Diverse Areas of Colorado, Robert Gendler, Akira Fuji, Russell Croman, the Novaspace site has gone into auctioneer- The logo of the Kalamazoo Anima- Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah Come David Miller – many through telescopes and ing in recent years and has a site on which tion Festival International, courtesy Together to Guide NASA’s Informal many others wider-angle with Earth fore- paintings and memorabilia are auctioned off of same. The NASA Explorer Institutes, courtesy of the NASA Informal Education Division. Education Efforts.

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As of this writing, at least, the descriptions including how to incorporate results from Get this volume. It can be a wonderful ref- of these projects was listed on a page linked space science research and how science edu- erence and guide to what’s going on (or from the web site www1.nasa.gov/audience/ cation research can enlighten efforts; and to should be) as we all hike our chosen profes- foreducators/informal/features. Otherwise, share best practices. sional paths, striving to make the world and do an internet search for NASA Explorer I attended the conference and found it to the universe more understandable and amaz- Institutes to keep up on the progress of this be an extremely valuable and synergistic ing to all who live here. initiative – or contact the sites conducting experience, with opportunities to meet peo- these focus groups if any in particular are of ple that we in the planetarium profession Finally, and Finally … special interest. The results will be used to don’t often meet at our own conferences – at This “What’s New” column is for me #60 – develop the next phase of the initiative, least not in large quantity – and to hear other a nice, round astronomical number if ever which, according to what I’ve read, will perspectives and to develop mutually benefi- there was one, thanks to the Babylonians. Its result in another solicitation concerning the cial links. Among the major conclusions multiples complete circles, and it now com- Institutes sometime this spring. drawn from the experience, according to the pletes a circle for me. As the varied project titles and the geo- preface of the proceedings, were that there is This is my last “What’s New” column, for graphically diverse sites suggest, this is a pret- an “emerging space science E/PO com- as you read, I’ll be leaving my planetarium ty comprehensive effort to engage our com- munity” and that this community needs post to work in a little different area of the munity in the U.S. to work with NASA in the professional development opportunities to science communication and education vine- most effective ways to advance our various support its efforts, that there needs to be yard – with Ray Villard and John Stoke and (and often converging) educational goals. “more coherence” in the development of the other good folks in the Office of Public Let’s wish all of the participants (and ulti- materials, activities, and products, that “cre- Outreach at the Space Telescope Science mately – if it goes right – that means all of us) ating and sustaining partnerships” is key to Institute in Baltimore, Maryland (and thus, a great deal of success as this initiative un- the success of the Office of Space Science, to continue the NEI and OSS themes, engag- folds. and that assessment and evaluation are seen ing in a little professional development of as important, but require help from the com- my own). Since I will no longer be posi- Bringing Communities Together munity. tioned to keep my finger quite so firmly on And speaking of scientific and educational The proceedings volume, edited by Caro- the pulse of the planetarium field, it’s time communities working together: by coinci- lyn Narasimhan and Bernhard Beck-Win- for me to retire, at least for now, from my dence, the proceedings of the NASA Office of chatz of DePaul University, Isabel Hawkins columnist proclivities and to let someone Space Science Education and Public Out- of the University of California-Berkeley, and else take over. (And if you’d like to be that reach conference, held in Chicago in June, Cassandra Runyon of the Coolege of Char- someone, contact editor John Mosley who’d 2002, just reached my doorstep as I write. leston, is published as part of the Astronom- very much like to talk to you. It’s a great way This was a meeting of nearly 300 people that ical Society of the Pacific’s conference series to contribute to the profession.) brought together scientists, E/PO officers, (volume 319, ISBN 1-58381-181-8), and con- It’s been a joy and a privilege to pen this education researchers, formal and informal tains transcripts of all of the formal addresses column, season after season, as the years educators (and not a few planetarians) to and session presentations on science educa- have rolled along. It’s been a way for me to facilitate scientists’ participation in educa- tion research, formal and informal science keep up on the field, to keep track of all of tion and outreach; to discuss issues and chal- education, and education and public out- you, and to stop in from time to time for a lenges facing formal and informal educators, reach, as well as a written compilation of printed chat – like old friends over gossip and posters from the poster session and a list of a cup of tea. I will miss our visits together. participants. There is an absolute wealth of informa- tion, ideas, and perspectives in this volume. You will want to have it for your office bookshelf, and you will want to mine it for the many golden nuggets it contains – cer- tainly in light of the NASA Explorers Institute initiative just begun and in our own understanding of the importance of reaching out to inform and enlighten our publics in the most effective ways we can. You can purchase the volume from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ash- ton Avenue, San Francisco, California 94112 Keep watching the skies! USA, telephone 1-800-335-2624 (within USA) or 1-415-337-2126, fax 1-415-337-5205, e-mail But you know what they say about “all [email protected], web site www good things.” Yet I won’t be far; just down .astrosociety.org. Single volumes cost $77 U.S. the street a bit, with plenty of opportunities ($69.30 for ASP members) – and I’d be sur- still for our paths to cross. And I’m glad of prised if you didn’t extract more than $77 of that, for you do good work – work that mat- potential value from its pages in informa- ters – and you’re still some of the best people tion, insights, and possible new contacts. The I know. information is now two and a half years old, And so, until next we meet, in person or but I would expect that nearly all of it is still on a page somewhere, remember that I still The proceedings of the NASA OSS and Public Outreach Conference, courtesy useful and can lead you in all sorts of inter- am and always will be interested in … what’s of NASA OSS and the ASP. esting directions. new! C

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tronix Guaymas; Ludocosmos, Hermosillo; meeting on 8 November at the planetarium International News José Martínez Rocha, Magdalena de Kino, in Nuremberg. and on planning stage planetarium, Dur- Due to the overwhelming success in 2004, orated by the Paris and Strasbourg Observa- ango. the German magazine Stern decided to tories/Universities with the participation of The meeting evolved on first day through launch another nationwide “Long Night of the APLF, in order to improve the status of a series of invited lectures and papers, rang- the Stars” on 10 September in 2005. On the people working in planetariums. ing from archaeoastronomy, “Xochicalco: an same day the amateur astronomers’ organisa- * The 2005 APLF Conference is organised astronomical vision” by Rafael Ángeles tion Vereinigung der Sternfreunde will hold by Gilles Roussel in Nantes, with a double accompanied by an photographic exhibi- its third astronomy day. perspective: the usual APLF meeting (in tion of Xochicalco ruins, followed by “Plane- German and Dutch planetarians are look- French language), and the IPS meeting of tronix: an education option” by Saul ing forward for the next annual meeting of portable planetariums (in English language - Grijalva.; narrating the historical evolution the German language planetariums on 10-11 welcome in Nantes to Susan Button, new IPS of planetarium projectors in general and its April at the Europlanetarium in Genk, Bel- president-elect). Separate rooms are reserved impact on the development of different gium. Interested persons can get more infor- for hosting the two programs. types of projectors and within the “Constel- mation from Chris Janssen, planetar@ The Conference will be held in the presti- lation” planetarium program of the USON. skynet.be. gious “Palais des Congrès” of Nantes, from Omar Alí López presented “The image use European/Mediterranean Plane- Thursday 5 May to Saturday 7 May, and will in planetarium shows” commenting that AMPAC planetarians attending the Hermosillo Convention in November 2004. Photo: Angel Cruz Teros. tarium Association be closed by a gala dinner. The meeting will there is no better image than the image of After an extensive renovation that trans- be followed by a sightseeing tour around emotion because of the strong impact on the educational material; events; books, maga- planetarium business. An earth scientist by formed the Eugenides Planetarium in Nantes, vineyards, and the ocean. The regis- spectator. zines articles and software reviews; web sites training, with an impressive background in Athens, Greece, into one of the largest and tration fees for all these events will be 140- Marcela Barraza Paredes presented “The of interest; newsletters and bulletins; and academic research, Mason has been director Lars Broman best-equipped digital planetariums in the 150¤ for IPS members, and 226¤ for non-IPS planetarium: a tool for scientific diffusion”. general interest articles. Suggestions for at Armagh since 1996. He has put a great deal world, there came the numbers: in its first Dalarna University members. Exhibition spaces can be reserved Enrique Mijarez from the University of improving the site and loading of info is in of effort into the Planetarium’s education year of operation the total number of visi- for commercial purposes. All information Durango emphasized the educational com- process stage. This will surely be useful to all program, particularly its outreach function. SE 791 88 Falun, Sweden tors soared to more than 400,000. Even can be obtained at [email protected]. promise planetariums have with the talk AMPAC and IPS planetarians seeking access A great communicator across the age and +46 2310 177 though a successful start such as this is some- “Astronomy as a fundamental part on the to information on AMPAC planetariums and ability range, his special interest has been the times followed by a period during which [email protected] development of children,” stating that prior- related news. requirements of children with special needs. attendance is somewhat reduced, confirmed ity should be given to education and to the Nominated sites for the 2005 AMPAC His current challenge is spearheading an www.du.se/~lbr bookings since last September suggest that acceleration of knowledge so children, when Conference were Luis Enrique Erro Planetar- ambitious redevelopment project to put this has not happened as of yet and the sec- they become adults, will be able to do new ium in México City and Arcadio Poveda Armagh into the forefront of facilities world- ond year is expected to attract even more In mid-January when I write this, Saturn things, be capable of confronting challenges, Ricalde Planetarium in Merida, Yucatan. The wide. persons than the first. During the last four plays tricks with us in the eastern evening and be able to face the technological revolu- final site and dates decision will be taken There is more good news to report. Mario months, more than 170,000 students and sky: together with Castor and Pollux, the tion, giving them a broader spectrum of the during AMPAC’s Extraordinary General Di Maggio, who launched Glasgow’s Scot- teachers from more than 1750 schools have planet forms a nice Big Dipper handle - but world we live in. The paper presentations Meeting to be held in February 2005 in tishPower Planetarium in 2002 and man- reserved seats that stretch well into June of with the dipper missing. The handle even concluded with a talk by Alan Kaskey from México City. aged it for three years, has taken up the post 2005. If the numbers of individual visitors in points towards – well, not Arcturus, but SEOS, a simulation company from Ontario, of planetarium manager at Birmingham’s the evening and the weekend public shows Procyon, in a fashion very similar to the real Canada. Videos and photos from the above British Associations of Thinktank Museum of Science and Dis- The Palais des Congres will host the are added, last year’s record attendance is thing. APLF/IPS portable meetings in May lectures and Convention activities can be Planetariums covery. Thinktank is about to establish a Odyssey assured to be surpassed. The International News column is depen- 2005. Courtesy of Palais des Congrès seen at http://cosmos.astro.uson.mx/ At the start of 2005, BAP congratulates Dr. new 70-seater, 9-m planetarium equipped de la Ville de Nantes. The current show titles include Cosmic dent on contributions from IPS Affiliate meeting/XXXIII/prog.htm. Tom Mason of Armagh Planetarium on with a six-channel Digistar 3 system. Di and Voyage Without an End, both Associations all over the world. Many thanks On the second day, a field trip was orga- being awarded an MBE - Member of the Maggio achieved a great deal at Glasgow and last year’s successful productions of the to Agnès Acker, Bart Benjamin, Ignacio Association of Mexican Plane- nized to Cajeme Planetarium at nearby Cd. British Empire - in the Queen’s New Year he is wished every success in putting Bir- Eugenides Foundation that are still going Castro, Alex Delivorias, Gail Chaid, Teresa tariums Obregon, hosted by the local Choquim Honours List. He joins Undine Concannon mingham’s planetarium on the map. strong. In addition, special showings of the Grafton, Andreas Hänel, John Hare, Jim Man- On 24-26 November the annual conven- Astronomy Group, headed by María Flores (London Planetarium) and Harry Ford (Royal There is no more news to record at pre- digitaled Reef show of Kaluoka’ Hina, the Enchant- ning, and Loris Ramponi for your contribu- tion of AMPAC, the Asociación Mexicana de ChongAutumn Muñoz. Sky They presented a program Observatory Greenwich) on the UK list of sent, so as the new year gets underway, the , produced by Peter Pop and Soft- tions. Special thanks are due to Loris Ram- Planetarios, took place at the facilities of the based on the Yaqui ethnic group and used professionals to have received recognition UK planetarians wish their colleagues world- the Planetronix projector to project The machine, have also been scheduled since the poni, who contributes the Calendar of Physics Research Department at the Univer- lation Program for years of hard work and dedication to the wide happiness and success in their endeav- beginning of December. From 10 January Events. You are welcome back with new sity of Sonora in Hermosillo, the capital of . Antonio Sánchez elaborated ours. reports, and I look forward to contributions the State of Sonora. The host was Antonio on the method used to produce the Constel- 2005 the planetarium will start showing its from other Associations as well. Upcoming Sanchez-Ibarra, who is on the faculty of the shows. Finally, on the third Council of German Planetariums latest production of New Horizons, an excit- deadlines are 1 April 2004 for Planetarian 2/5 astronomy area and who is currently conference day, attending planetariums pre- The planetarium show Mission Saturn was ing tour of the solar system and space explo- and 1 July for 3/5. AMPAC president-elect. sented the projects undertaken throughout produced by Markus Steblei and Dieter ration. Convention inaugural welcome ceremo- the year and future plans and relevant news Schwab from the Forum am Deutschen On Wednesday 27 October 2004, the Association of French-Speaking ny speeches were given by Dr. Carlos for all members. Museum in Munich with stunning anima- Greek President of the Republic inaugurated Planetariums Gutierrez Rohán, Vice-Rector of the Univer- Gerardo Trujillo, from the Morelia Plane- tions. It opened in Munich and Osnabrück at the Science Communication Center and The fall of 2004 was marked by three sity of Sonora, USON, and Jorge Sanchez, cur- tarium, announced AMPAC’s new Web site, the beginning of November. A Dutch trans- Technical Museum of Thessaloniki. Almost main points: rent AMPAC president from Rehilete Plane- www.ampac.org. Sponsored by the Morelia lation was produced by the planetarium in three weeks later, on 16 November, they * A show about Cassini/Huygens and the tarium. The convention was attended by Conventions and Expositions Center Genk and a French version will also be pro- opened their planetarium to the public with new views of Titan and Saturn was produced AMPAC member planetarium representa- (CECONEXPO), Linux OpenSource de duced. At the same time, the company BMG the Spitz, Inc. production Oasis in Space. In by the Forum of the Deutsches Museum. A tives from all of Mexico: Lic. Alfonso Rivera, Mexico, and Kosmos Scientific, the follow- published a CD with the soundtrack of the another venue their Large Format (8/70) flat French version is being performed by the Morelia; Rehilete, Pachuca; Luis E Erro, ing activities will be presented at the site: show. In the meantime, the Council started screen is showing the McGillivray-Freeman Bruxelles Planetarium, and 10 APLF planetar- Astronomical news; Planetarium programs; Dr. Tom Mason, Director, Armagh hit documentary Everest. Future planetari- Mexico City; Puebla, Puebla; Navegante; Dr. Planetarium, has been awarded an an effort to produce a planetarium show on watched the stars iums will present it in January 2005. Arcadio Poveda, Yucatan; Papalote, Mexico Diffusion activities calendar; Scheduling and MBE. Photo by Julie Thomson, the occasion of the Einstein year in 2005. um shows include The blind man who * An ambitious educational project is elab- City; Cajeme, Cd. Obregón; Mobile Plane- review of papers; Teachers’ and students’ Armagh Planetarium. This was decided on the second annual and Planets with a view, 48 Planetarian March 2005 March 2005 Planetarian 49 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:18 PM Page 50

two French productions from the Planetari- The Transit of Venus show to about 200 peo- Ohio. Gene Zajac (Shaker Heights) recently activities is the Starlab cylinder about the planetarium eventually will reopen for selected to provide touch screen-based light- um of Saint-Etienne. ple over the course of several nights prior to hosted a silent auction that raised over $500. Egyptian constellations. A special poster schools and the general public. ing and show control systems for the 83 mil- the transit event. In October, Gene and others set up seven with the main figures showed in the cylin- Per Broman reports that two new Starlab lion dollar planetarium and exhibit upgrades Great Lakes Planetarium Associ- In October, the E. C. Schouweiler Plane- telescopes for a crowd of nearly 300 people der has been printed. FiberArc projectors have been sold in the at the famed Griffith Observatory in Los ation tarium in Fort Wayne hosted the first public for the total lunar eclipse. M&Ms and Skittles The next Day of Planetaria will be 20 Nordic-Baltic corner of the world: one to Angeles, California. The planetarium will At the annual GLPA Conference in event of the Midwest Religion and Science were used to demonstrate the small size of March. Italian planetaria have been involved Bergen Vitensenter in Norway and one to run under master control of Bowen Astro FX Detroit, Dr. Jeanne Bishop was presented Society, which is a regional forum for en- the moon in the sky. in this project since 1991. Planetaria that are Upptech science center in Jönköping, commander systems which will also control with GLPA’s Galileo Award, GLPA’s highest gagement in the dialog of science and faith. All systems are now up and running at the usually open on Sundays are invited to col- Sweden. The first projector was delivered the new Zeiss Mark IX star projection system honor. Also presented was an Honorary Life Director Gregg Williams chose about 50 stu- North Hills High School Planetarium (near laborate with the Day by indicating their with a regular Starlab dome, but the second and the new Evans & Sutherland Digistar 3 Award to Gary Tomlinson and seven GLPA dents out of more than 80 that applied to Pittsburgh) after a roof-drain-related June interest to the Italian Planetaria’s Friends one is accompanied by a Broman Planetari- Laser real-time all-dome video system with Fellow awards. Dayle Brown has written and work at the Merrillville Community Plane- flood.Dreams Asbestos abatement in the school con- Association. They can then send the address um/Teknoland 6-m diameter with a Euro- 16 million pixel resolution. Installation is illustrated a full-color children’s book titled tarium. Each student had to complete four- tinues. The fall program at the Bowling of their homepage. dome cloth dome for permanent use in the scheduled for spring of 2005 and the grand Skylore from Planet Earth, stories from teen hours of training. Five Student Assis- Green State University Planetarium is Space The 2004 winner of the Week in Italy con- science center. reopening is set for 14 May 2006. Read all around the world.The book gives a glimpse tants attended the GLPA Conference in . The staff ran extra shows during the test was John T. Meader, Northern Stars about it at http://www.GriffithObs.org/reno- of fifteen cultures, their mythologies, histo- Detroit. university’s busy Family Weekend in early Planetarium, Fairfield, Maine, USA. 15 April is Pacific Planetarium Association vation.html. ries, and geographies. Michigan. In East Lansing, Abrams Plane- November and also had a successful observa- the last day to send a proposal for the appli- Denver, Colorado, will be the site for the Independence Planetarium will be the site Illinois. In January, the Lakeview Museum tarium presented Loch Ness Productions’ tory open house for the 27 October lunar cants of the next Week in Italy (October 2005 conference for the Great Western of a Santa Clara County Science Teachers Planetarium started their Basic Astronomy Season of Light during the holidays and eclipse. 2005) to Serafino Zani Astronomical Obser- Alliance of Planetariums. The next confer- Association event 1 March 2005. Leonard Series on Saturday mornings, which featured RingWorld thereafter. In Dearborn Heights, Wisconsin/Minnesota. In Minnesota, vatory [email protected] or to Susan ence will be 7-9 September 2005. PPA has for- Tramiel will speak about teaching astrono- a different hands-on lessons each week. The the Ensign Planetarium reports excellent David Williams has been hired as the new Button. An American planetarium operator mally accepted the invitation. PPA President, my and other science topics. He will give Strickler Planetarium debuted its newest pro- attendance at the fall public shows. They planetarium director in Saint Cloud. Brain- who wins this contest receives a chance to Alan Gould writes, “We’re a little late getting some anecdotes about his experiences on gram, titled Companion to Night. Written will incorporate information from the High erd is gearing up for their new planetarium get to know Italian culture, to work with stu- things squared away for the 2005 confer- textbook approval boards. Many items in by student employee Steve Case, it draws Energy Astronomy short course into their opening next fall. Minneapolis is still selling dents, and to do some sight seeing. The plan- ence, but so far Denver seems to be the textbooks are incorrect, not because of the viewers into the mystery and grandeur of winter/spring schedule. star shows and desperately hoping for a new etarian who wins this trip presents lessons in promising venue for us. There are rustlings of author but because the page layout person the universe through poetry. The Shiras Planetarium in Marquette has dome. In Wisconsin, the new Charles English with the itinerant planetarium a Texas conference in 2006 and we have a needed an extra paragraph on the page and The staff of the William M. Staerkel Plane- now re-opened to the public and schools of Horwitz Planetarium has a roof now, as well Starlab to Italian students of English. Similar written invitation to an Aurora Conference inserted any paragraph from any edition tarium at Parkland College is enhancing the the Upper Peninsula. They are proud to as siding and interior walls. It will have a weeks are organized also for French and in Fairbanks, Alaska for 2007.” textbook printed previously, even though Ring World show with downloaded Cassini boast that theirs is the first planetarium in 12.2-meter dome and is due to open in June, Spanish planetarium operators. Alan also writes, “A huge thanks to John that one paragraph may be incorrect or out- images. The staff recently welcomed Jim the world to incorporate a Minolta MS-8 2005. In Iowa, the new Iowa Science Center The XX National Meeting of Italian Plane- Young in San Diego, California, for hosting dated. Leonard has seen many items in text- Kaler to their dome for a presentation that opto-mechanical star projector with a new will open in May of 2005 with a “no seat” taria Friend’s Association will be held in the GWA Conference for 2004. There was books related to astronomy and other sub- featured Jim’s own photographs. The plane- Konica Minolta MediaGlobe-Lite full dome planetarium! Brescia next 9 October. Also foreign col- the usual extremely valuable networking of jects that are incorrect. It is amazing what is tarium premiered an original show titled digital projector. They also have a new Astro- leagues are invited to join in the conference. colleagues, presentations, topics of current passed along to teachers and students that is Stellar Extremes in March. The Cernan Earth Tec dome and a renovated theater and Italian Planetaria’s Friends Asso- In fact during these meetings there are some interest and display of vendor wares. More misinformation given as fact by textbook and Space Center of Triton College hosted lobby. In February, Flint’s Longway Planetar- ciation foreign speakers that present their activities portable domes are popping up at confer- companies. The 1 March SCCSTA event over 100 people at their lunar eclipse observ- ium will host a New Telescope Owners Nagin Cox (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or demonstrate planetarium programs pro- ence so vendors are less reliant on the big sponsored by Independence Planetarium ing session on 27 October. Staff and volun- Workshop in time to save all those Christ- Pasadena – chair of the Mars Exploration duced abroad. dome of the house facility for showing off will include a short current night sky pro- teers assembled about six telescopes that mas telescopes from permanent storage. Rover Flight team) was invited last to pre- their latest and greatest things.” gram, Leonard’s talk, a delicious catered bar- evening under partly cloudy skies. This win- The Grand Haven Planetarium recently sent special lectures in the planetariums of Nordic Planetarium Association Nick Strobel at the Bakersfield College beque by Dibbs Catering and a night sky pro- ter,Winter the Cernan Center brought back its two presented the SkyLase shows Paradigm Shifts Milan and Rome. This is an important col- Several of Tom Callen’s fake UFO photos Planetarium reports that the planned expan- gram including astronomers from Peninsula popular holiday shows Celebrations of and Perseus and Andromeda, along with a laboration between Italian planetariums to that were created for the planetarium show, sion and equipment upgrade will be delayed Astronomical Society and San Jose Astro- and its Winter Wonderlight laser tour of the evening sky. The staff of the share common programs and distinguished UFO – Sanningen är här, will be published in a few months until the end of the spring nomical Society. Hopefully the rainy weath- light show. DassaultThe Wild Systèmes World ofPlanetarium Weather are planning lecturers that will probably be improved in a Swedish book on various pseudoscience semester to minimize scheduling conflicts er welcoming 2005 for northern and south- Indiana. The Koch Planetarium in Evans- to finish the show kit for their Blown Away: the future. topics sometime next year. The 18-chapter with college classes. Construction plans are ern California will subside for the event! ville recently upgraded their solar observing show. Work is Among the new Italian planetariums book, edited by the president of the Swedish currently winding their way through equipment to include 20x60 solar-filtered also in motion for events surrounding a there is Star Freedom, a mobile 6-meter in- skeptics group Science and Popular Educa- approval channels at the local and state lev- Rocky Mountain Planetarium binoculars. The binoculars were purchased major traveling exhibit. The Kalamazoo flatable dome (36 seats) with a star projector tion (English translation) and a philosopher, els. Association to complement a Solaris hydrogen-alpha Valley Museum Planetarium is showing Big, that shows 2200 stars, built in Italy. Star will cover such typical topics as astrology, Keith Johnson, formally of Fleischmann The Denver Museum of Nature and telescope. Over 100 people gathered at the produced by the National Space Center in Freedom is located in the Palermo area in crop circles, alternative medicine, and para- Planetarium in Reno, Nevada, PHM Planetarium & Air/Space Museum to the United Kingdom. They also participated Sicily. Among the public institution involv- psychology. According to the editors such a writes that he has successfully witness the 27 October lunar eclipse. Live in the NASA Sun-Earth Day by presenting ed are also three Natural Parks. For informa- book that includes so many such topics has migrated to New Jersey. Johnson planetarium programs, outdoor demonstra- the web casts to public audiences. tion contact [email protected]. never been published in Swedish before. was PPA Treasurer before he tions, and viewing through telescopes com- The Delta College Planetarium in Bay City Serafino Zani Astronomical Observatory Lund’s Planetarium in southernmost moved. Keith says he misses all plemented the celestial spectacle. had a successful run of laser light shows and Planetarium organized in the last six Sweden, which for a number of years was the his colleagues in PPA. Meanwhile, The Muncie Community Schools Plane- around Halloween and during the holidays. months a special teaching workshop for only public planetarium in Sweden, was he has traveled to a MAPS confer- tarium reports that ‘Tis the Season was Opening in February for the planetarium’s schools, held three days a week, during the closed down in June 2003. It was in continu- ence as well as a New Jersey plan- shown in English and Spanish during eighth anniversary was Big. In October, the exhibition about ancient Egypt in the main ous operation for 25 years, since 1978, with a etarium conference. He writes Walk Muncie’s Annual Enchanted Luminaria planetarium hosted 102 visitors on the roof museum of Cremona (Museo Ala Ponzone - typical yearly attendance of 15,000. It re- “Planetarians are pretty much in December. B.J. Harper reports that top observation deck for the lunar eclipse. Palazzo Stanga), in the north of Italy. The mains closed, chiefly for lack of suitable the same everywhere: creative Lasers their 4.9-meter radio telescope has been CranbrookBeatles Institute of Science Planetarium workshop was devoted to astronomical premises. The Astronomy Department of and fun to be with.” He invites assembled on its concrete pad in the front in Bloomfield Hills began offering Holiday knowledge of the pyramid people through University of Lund plans to use it in their everyone who has free time in lawn of Northrop High School. The scope during the holidays and LFI’s Laser practical activities for students. This is also courses, but there is no money set aside for the Philadelphia area to travel to has been in production since 2001, financed at the end of January, as well as their the main topic in the school year 2004-2005 maintenance and upgrading of the old Goto the Edelman Planetarium at solely through grant moneys from various own production Night Sky Odyssey. In of the “Museum of constellation” (Planetari- projector and the other machinery. Eva Rowan University in Glassboro, resources. This past spring, Lafayette’s um in Lumezzane, North of Italy). Among Mezey, who was the planetarium’s last direc- New Jersey. January, they hosted a Telescope Users The Denver Museum of Nature and Nature. Jefferson High School Planetarium presented Workshop. the teaching instruments used for these tor, has been laid off, but she still hopes that Bowen Technovation has been Courtesy of the museum.

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Science in Denver, Colorado, home of the tain Planetarium Association circa 1969. Science and Industry, Manchester, United Society Council Meeting, Beijing Planetarium, Beijing, China. newly-renovated Gates Planetarium and Kingdom. It will be a joint meeting with 30 September. deadline for the applicants of A week in Italy for a Space Odyssey exhibition, has been selected Southeastern Planetarium Asso- the AAE (Association for Astronomy Spanish Planetarium Operator. http://www.colibrionline.it/ by the Western Alliance of regional planetar- ciation Education). MG/international_collaboration.htm. ium organizations as the site of the 2005 New officers have assumed office on 1 Jan- 6-8 May. Third European Meeting of Itin- 9 October. XX National Meeting of Italian Planetaria, Brescia, Western Alliance Conference. The confer- uary 2005. President is Patsy Wilson, Salis- erant Planetaria, Nantes (France) in con- Italy, http://www.colibrionline.it/MG/planetari_news.htm. ence dates are 7-9 September. RMPA is bury, North Carolina. Past President is Mike junction with the yearly meeting of 15-18 October. Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) pleased to have the WAC at a RMPA facility, Sandras, Kenner, Louisiana. President Elect is Association of French-Speaking Planetari- Annual Conference and Expo, Science Museum of Virginia, and wish planetarium operations manager Adam Thanz, Kingsport, Tennessee. Secre- ums (APLF). http://www.aplf-plane Richmond, USA. http://www.astc.org. Dan Neafus, the Denver staff and the WAC tary/Treasurer is Duncan Teague, Memphis, tariums.org, http://www.colibrionline.it/ 17-23 October. A week in Italy for an American Planetarium committee all good fortune in planning an Tennessee. IPS Council Representative is MG/international_collaboration.htm. Operator (each year since 1995). http://www.bresciascienza.it/ excellent conference. John Hare, Bradenton, Florida. 25-28 May. Middle Atlantic Planetarium cityline/cult/photog.htm. The Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City Society Conference (MAPS), Fels Plane- 31 December. Deadline of Eugenides Foundation Scriptwriting continues to develop a variety of original tarium, Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Contest (contestants can submit scripts from 1 July 2005). For full-dome 3-D animation content using its Pennsylvania, USA. Host: Derrick Pitts. more information: [email protected]. Digistar 3 system. Its latest feature show 10-12 June. European collaborative for sci- Destination: Saturn has been very well re- ence, industry and technology exhibitions 2006 ceived, not only in Salt Lake but also at the (ECSITE) Annual Conference, Heureka, 8-10 June. European collaborative for science, industry and tech- Digistar 3 facilities in Wichita, Kansas, and Vantaa (Helsinki), Finland. http://www nology exhibitions (ECSITE) Annual Conference, Technopolis, Hamburg, Germany. .ecsite.net. Mechelen, Belgium.http://www.ecsite.net. The Clark has also put considerable effort 14-17 June. Communicating Astronomy with 24-27 July. Under the Southern Skies, 18th International into its new music entertainment programs - the Public, ESO/ESA/IAU Conference, ESO Planetarium Society Conference, Crown Promenade, Mel- called the Cosmic Light Show - because the HQ, Garching, Munich, Germany. Closing bourne, Australia. http://www.ips2006.com. medium focuses primarily on full-dome date for registration March 2005. http:// 28-31 October. Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) video content with laser beam work effects www.communicatingastronomy.org/ Annual Conference and Expo, Louisville Science Center, to support it. Two new shows were recently index.html. Louisville, Kentucky, USA. http://www.astc.org. developed: Entranced features a variety of 14-18. Southeastern Planetarium Association For corrections and new information please send a message to Techno, Trance, House, and Club music. It Patsy Wilson is the new SEPA Presi- Conference (SEPA), Fernbank Science Cen- Loris Ramponi, [email protected] - [email protected]. C has many real-time elements performed live dent. Photo courtesy Patsy Wilson. ter, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. http://www in combination with mpeg playback materi- .sepadomes.org. al and laser beam work. Cosmic Holidays is a Atlanta’s Fernbank Planetarium will host 12-14 July. Japan Planetarium Society Confer- holiday music light show for families, incor- the next SEPA conference. Dates are 14-18 ence (JPS), Osaka Science Museum, Japan. porating a mix of classic and modern holi- June 2005. A pre-conference trip is scheduled 15-17 July. DomeFest2005. http://www.dome- day selections. Both shows have been very for Young Harris College. The College is nes- fest.com/2005.html. More about fulldome well attended. Audience polls give both tled in the mountains of North Georgia and (mega-resolution, large-format, immersive, shows an 80% good or excellent rating. The features a Goto Chronos projector under a digital technologies for hemispheric Clark’s next major feature show project will 12-m (40 ft) dome. Sessions in Atlanta will screen theaters) at http://www.domefest be a program on Black Holes, currently due take place at planetariums at Agnes Scott .com/WhatIsDF.htm, http://www.full to open on 1 July 2005. College, Emory University, and Fernbank dome.org, and http://groups.yahoo.com The Taylor Planetarium at the Museum of Science Center. A post-conference trip is /group/fulldome. the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, also scheduled for the Mark Smith Planetarium 18-21 July. Spitz Digital Institute, Chadds reports very good results with its main fea- in Macon. Further information regarding Ford, Pennsylvania (USA) contact Joyce ture program “Lewis & Clark and the High SEPA is available at sepadomes.org. Towne at [email protected] or 610- Frontier,” which draws parallels between the 459-5200. art of exploration as practiced by the Lewis Calendar of events 31 August. Deadline for the applicants of A & Clark expedition across the American 2005 week in Italy for a French Planetarium Northwest in 1804-6 and that practiced by 20 March. International Day of Planetaria. Operator. http://www.colibrionline.it/ humankind’s exploration of the frontier of http://www.planetaritaliani.it. MG/international_collaboration.htm. space. The Museum sits just 50 km east of the 10-11 April. Conference of German Speaking 7-9 September. Western Alliance Conference Missouri headwaters visited by the Corps of Planetaria (ADP), Europlanetarium, Genk, of Planetariums (RMPA, PPA, GPPA, Discovery, and the planetarium program Belgium. SWAP), Denver Museum of Nature & supports several museum exhibits on Lewis 10-14 April. 4th Science Centre World Science, Gates Planetarium & Space Odys- & Clark and other museum efforts during Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. http:// sey exhibition, Colorado, USA. vonah- the bicentennial observance of the expedi- www.astc.org/conference/future.htm. [email protected]. tion. The program is being made available to 15 April. Final deadline for application for 14-16 September. Building Community: The interested facilities; contact the Taylor the program that starts August 22, 2005, Emerging Educational and Public Out- Planetarium staff for details. about Master of science communication reach (EPO) Profession, as part of ASP’s On a sad note, the planetarium at the U.S. at Dalarna University, Sweden. www 117th Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, .ScienceCommunication.se. USA. http://astrosociety.org/events/ Colorado, was closed to the public last year 15 April. Deadline for the applicants of A meeting.html after 45 years of distinguished service. Long- week in Italy for an American Planetari- 16-18 September. Nordic Planetarium Associ- time director Mickey Schmidt, a founding um Operator. http://www.bresciascienza ation Conference (NPA), Orion Planetari- member of RMPA, was assigned to other .it/cityline/cult/photog.htm. um, Jels, Denmark. www.orionplane duties at the Academy. The planetarium was 6-8 May. British Association of Planetaria tarium.dk. the site of the founding of the Rocky Moun- (BAP), Annual Conference, Museum of 24-25 September. International Planetarium

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remains. Instead of seats and coves, the room Gibbous Gazette is filled with an interactive kinetic sculpture that visitors can use to learn about the way planetarium back in 1939 made sure that the things move. Parachutes and gliders can be Science Center was equipped with the latest launched from a multilevel climbing struc- in planetarium display technology. So a new ture. A miniature garage and a cutaway car Buhl Planetarium was created to replace the reveal the secrets of motors and machines. original just blocks away from its former And counter tops and storage boxes can be home. The original building, still used for filled with any number of items to explore special programs and offices, was vacated in here in the Garage Workshop, all inside the 1994 when larger facilities became available former star theater. near the new Science Center. A small group Elsewhere in the building, galleries are of former employees tried desperately to turned into theaters for use by the city convince someone that the original building school performing arts groups. A working should be restored and reopened after being radio station broadcasts a weekly family mothballed by the city government. For radio program. The grand entrance hall has eight years the building sat dark, its roof been transformed into a grand family restau- leaking and its physical plant cold and rust- rant with seating beneath huge illuminated ing. white globes – reportedly once used as set Finally, last year, the Pittsburgh Child- decorations for a touring rock show. And the James P. Hughes ren’s Museum, located adjacent to the origi- once quaint Little Science Theater is now the Planetarium Producer nal Buhl Planetarium building, stepped for- home of a curiosity shop where visitors can Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium & Observatory Carnegie Science Center One Allegheny Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 USA (1) 412-237-3348 (1) 412-237-3395 fax [email protected]

It’s hard to think of the promise of rebirth that springtime brings while locked in the winter’s icy clutches. I’m writing this in the An artist’s drawing of the newly expanded Pittsburgh Children’s Museum incorpo- rating the original Buhl Planetarium building. (Image Credit: Jonathan Williams.) long nights of January for the March issue. The landscape outside looks more like the ward with a bold plan to merge the two frozen surface of Titan than I’d like to admit. buildings, uniting them with a third struc- Regardless of the temperature now, I’m ture, providing our residents with an ex- reminded that my part of the Earth will panded museum for the smallest of Pitts- soon tip once again toward the Sun as I burghers! Now after more than a year of ren- think of all of the people affected by the ovation, the site of the original Buhl Plane- tsunami. It was summer there, the resorts full tarium is in use again. It is not being used as a of visitors, another day in paradise. How planetarium, but it is now a part of one of quickly things can change, villages toppled, the most amazing museums in the city. It is homes flooded, lives washed away. Suddenly sometimes hard to remember the layout of the temperature seems like the least of life’s the old building as one walks from room to worries. room in the new Pittsburgh Children’s I’m also aware of the rebirth that renova- Museum. I grew up in the original Buhl Plan- tion brings. Here is a little tale of how a for- etarium. Members of my family worked in mer planetarium building got a new lease on the building as far back as the 1950s. But in life. In 1939, a planetarium was built here in the way that the three buildings have been Pittsburgh. Buhl Planetarium was the fifth so gracefully combined, it is easy to see that major planetarium in the United States. In future visitors will certainly have fond 1991, Buhl Planetarium moved to Carnegie memories of their own to make. Parts of the Science Center. One mile away from the outsides of both original buildings are now original building this new museum opened indoors, providing close up views of features In the Garage Workshop visitors can launch parachutes high from high to continue the long tradition of astronomy rarely noticed before. inside the former planetarium dome. and science education started here in 1939. The original projection screen is the only (Photo courtesy the Pittsburgh Child- The same foundation that built the original part of the old planetarium chamber that ren’s Museum.) March 2005 Planetarian 55 Plan. 34-1d.qxp 2/5/05 11:19 PM Page 56

explore light, sound and optical illusions. Congratulations to … Visitors can choose between four different Water tables and infant areas occupy the … President-Elect Susan Buttons, Executive programs on view daily since the opening. central tower that unites the two buildings. Secretary Lee Ann Hennig, and Treasurer The computer system is able to create images It is also the home for an Interactive Neigh- Shawn Laatsch on their election to positions “on the fly,” and buttons in the armrests of borhood of Make Believe, the legacy of as I.P.S. officers! all chairs permit the audience to decide Public Television pioneer Fred Rogers. And … the 2004 Galileo Award winner Jeanne where the journey should go. The destina- newfangled multimedia installations live Bishop of the Westlake Schools Planetarium tion is determined by majority vote. The harmoniously side by side with traditional in Westlake, Ohio. The Galileo Award is the computer system can display a variety of sci- museum exhibits. The other extant building highest honor given by the Great Lakes entific visualizations – making the theater a and former cramped home of the Children’s Planetarium Society for service recognition. versatile and popular 3D-style experience for Museum was a post office and then a history the predominately youth-based audience. museum in another lifetime. Some might say The All-Dome Laser Projector was developed that the Children’s Museum turned out to by Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH and it is based on look like the cat that ate the canary. But the laser display technology from Jenoptik Laser reality is quite different. Now the three Display Technologie GmbH. Both compa- wings of this vital center of learning and fun nies and Jematic GmbH, which is responsible are all set to inspire and entertain future gen- for the sound equipment in the planetarium, erations of visitors. To learn more about the are based in the German state of Thuringia. project visit http://www.pittsburghkids.org. Dignitaries, vendors, the media, and invited And what’s become of the original telescope guests had the chance to launch the new dig- and star projector once housed in the origi- ital planetarium, the first of its kind world- nal Buhl building? They were transferred to wide, at a special ceremony on December 12, the Carnegie Science Center where plans of 2004. The city’s Mayor, other renowned per-

expansion are also underway and where sonalities of the country, and Wilfried Lang The original Beijing Planetarium building, opened in 1957, is shown in the foreground. Rising behind it is the glass front of the they can be incorporated for future uses in (Manager of the Carl Zeiss Planetariums busi- new science palace, which was inaugurated on December 12th, 2004. (Photo courtesy of Beijing Planetarium.) science education. ness unit) jointly cut the ribbon, opening the The words tradition and legacy aren’t used door to a very special science experience. The digital planetari- from your special effects projectors? It’s very much these days. The quickening pace Also present at the opening ceremony were um is the anchor of a called BLACKWRAP and it is a heavy gauge of life leaves one little time to linger on the Chinese taikonaut Yang Liwei and the first new science center that black foil that you can mold and position value of things. But the loss of a friend or Jeanne Bishop accepts the 2004 GLPA German in space, Dr. Sigmund Jähn. has a total surface area of into any shape needed. It is an Academy loved one makes us pause in tribute and Galileo Award (photo courtesy of Jenny Pon). 20,000 square meters Award winning way to keep unwanted light gives us a reason to celebrate all that we trea- (65,616 square feet). Other from spoiling your latest planetarium pro- sure about them. It is with heartfelt sincerity … the scientists and engineers of the ESA parts of the center in- duction. Call toll free at 888-426-2656 for a that we send our … and NASA for the phenomenal Cassini/Huy- clude several exhibition catalog or do your browsing online at gens mission. Way to go! galleries, movie theaters, www.gamonline.com. They also provide a Condolences to … … Jenny Pon on her promotion from Pro- and observatories. Two variety of other products useful to museums, … the friends and family of Mr. Ryuichiro ducer to Planetarium Manager at the Dass- additional galleries de- theme parks and exhibit display. Goto, of GOTO INC who passed away after a ault Systems Planetarium at the Detroit voted to the solar system … you can fill your gift shop with unique sustained illness on December 19, 2004. An Science Center! and the galaxy are still calendars, postcards, posters and mouse pads appreciation of Mr. Goto appears earlier in … the Mark Smith Planetarium on the under development and from Pomegranate Communications Inc.? this issue. occasion of its 40th anniversary. Originally are expected to open They stock a variety of antique maps, both … to the family and friends of John Cree opened on January 17, 1965, the planetarium next year. The complex celestial and terrestrial, as well as card games “Skeeter” Eliason, Jr., Director of the Planetar- is a part of the Museum of Arts and Sciences occupies a site adjacent with scientific and astronomical themes, all ium at the North Museum of Natural His- Wilfried Lang (Center) of the Carl in Macon, Georgia. The weekend celebration to the Beijing Zoo. at www.pomegranate.com. One of the most tory and Science in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Zeiss Planetarium Division has the was marked by the launch of a new original honor to take part in cutting the rib- Did you know that … unusual items that I’ve seen is called the who passed away on December 7, 2004, at show, Our Dome, the creation of planetari- bon ceremony on Dec.12, 2004. (Photo … there is a planetari- ECOlogical Calendar. Its colorful poster-style the early age of 49 and after an extended bat- by Jörg Jacobs.) um curator Toby Click with score and nar- um being built in Flor- layout features four heavy-weight panels tle with cancer. “Skeeter” was affiliated with rated by local musician Joey Stuckey, a for- ence, Kentucky, USA, that combine sky, moon, tide, meteorologi- the museum for 30 years and served as its mer planetarium volunteer. Additional that will feature the his- cal, and terrestrial data in a beautiful design. Planetarium Director for the last 10 years. He activities included a sci-fi film screening, din- tory of the Universe from See it for yourself at www.ecologicalcalen was a member of the Middle Atlantic Plane- ner, guest speaker NASA engineer Dennis an Evangelical Christian dar.info. tarium Society and he hosted their annual Chamberland, reinstallation and rededica- perspective? The Crea- … in addition to building star projectors conference in 1999. He also taught astrono- tion of the Foucault Pendulum and a plane- tion Museum is conve- and planetarium domes, Spitz, Inc. of Chadds my and physics at Manheim Twp. High tarium show festival of former favorite niently located within a Ford, Pennsylvania, has also created unique School and he was a contributor of astrono- Journal shows! The theater was named for former one-hour plane ride of 69 one-of-a-kind-structures for the Volkswagen my articles to the Lancaster Intellegencer Bibb school Superintendent Mark Smith and percent of the 290 mil- Autostadt, Sea World in Orlando, Mohegan . He is survived by his wife, Merri it houses a Minolta MS-10 under a 12.2-m (40- lion potential American Sun Casino, and the Tampa (Bay) Port Au- Carol Niland, his son, Eben James Eliason ft) dome. visitors. thority? They also recently upgraded to the and a daughter, Addie Joan Eliason both of … to the staff and vendors of the Beijing … theatrical lighting latest version of Kubotek KeyCreator (for- Lancaster, and a brother, Robert Gordon Planetarium on the launch of the newly supply specialists GAM- merly CADKEY), the geometry-based design (Robin) Eliason, Virginia. Donations to fund expanded facility now open in Beijing, The new Science Palace in Beijing PRODUCTS, INC. of Los and modeling technology. an astronomy-related project may be made China. At its heart is a ZEISS All Dome Laser offers a plenty of space for exhibi- Angeles, California, make … a production crew from the National to the North Museum, 400 College Ave., Lan- tions. The central exhibit is the Sun, Projector coupled with a computer system The charming contrast the old building is framed by a great product to mask Geographic Society Television recently trav- caster, Pennsylvania 17603 in Skeeter’s mem- including a live image of the solar from USA-based Silicon Graphics, Inc. surface. (Photo courtesy of Beijing the modern facade like of the new. (Photo courtesy of those pesky light leaks eled to Sweden to create a planetarium-relat- ory. Planetarium.) Beijing Planetarium.)

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ed item at Cosmonova in Stockholm! to be utilized as both an exhibit in its own To: [email protected] … GOTO’s Machida Starhall in Japan host- right, and a phenomenal educational re- Date: 01/02/05 ed the Starlight Brother, a comedy and musi- source. The museum hopes to attract a local Subject: Planetarian at Eiffel Tower cal program that features stand-up jokes and business to support the project. To follow the Dear James, songs related to astronomy and the stars? developments, visit www.mercurybay I have the pleasure to inform you that, This sounds like it could catch on at plane- museum.co.nz. after a nice observation, I had the joy of fin- tarium conferences! Join the fun online at City Officials in Montreal, Canada have ishing Venus-Transit at the Eiffel Tower. (I www.goto.co.jp/topics/todayphoto/ proposed a plan to move the Planetarium de was an invited) guest with the International 041026-e.html. Montreal from its current location down- Conference of closure of the operation … the 9th Leonard/Olats Space and the Arts town to Maisonneuve Park, the site of “Vénus-Transit’ 2004” to present one of the Workshop will be held at Chateau d’Yver- Olympic Stadium and other science based two programmed conferences to it, at the don, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, from attractions including the Biodome, the sides of an address from Hubert Reeves and a May 19-21, 2005? “Space: Planetary Con- Insectarium, and the botanical gardens. The show of the Company Danza Talent (Span- sciousness and the Arts” is the theme of the move is expected to cost about $31 million ish Flamenco Dancers). (I enjoyed) meeting workshop that is co-organized by the and should take approximately 3 years to with many friends and (in) celebration (of) O.U.R.S. Foundation, Leonardo/Olats, Maison complete. A commitment of support from the centenary of the Sun Festival founded by d’Aileurs and the International Academy of the Provincial government has increased the Camille Flammarion and Gustave Eiffel at Astronautics (IAA) and its Comission VI. feasibility of the proposed move. the summer solstice, with a meeting between … the I.P.S. Ethics Committee has been artists and scientists. I have founded the abolished? Does this mean that we no longer Why I love this job … Montpellier Planetarium in 1989 and the have ethics?!!! From: Jean-Michel Faidit of course, this address at the Eiffel Tower Planetariums On The Move! with nearly 200 astronomers was the great- The Mercury Bay Regional Museum has est emotion in my planetarian life. recently acquired the Spitz planetarium that Happy new year 2005 was formerly located in the Auckland War Jean-Michel Memorial Museum. This classic scientific instrument will be one of only 4 permanent Dome Improvements planetariums in New Zealand and will be a I just spent the last two weeks scaling the great asset to the museum and the commu- back of our Astro-Tec dome with a vacuum nity. It will be especially relevant to the strapped to my back. Last year we experi- Mercury Bay area which has such a strong enced some water damage to our dome from astronomical heritage ranging from Kupe’s a roof leak. A co-worker and I made a new pioneering voyages to Cook’s historic obser- year’s resolution to try some restoration vation of the transit of Venus on what is work in an attempt to remedy the problem. now known as Cooks Beach. It will be possi- While he cleaned the front of the dome from ble to illustrate the current positions and a motorized lift, I pulled dirt from the holes motions of the stars and planets as well as of our perforated aluminum panels with the recreate the patterns of stars that enabled backpack vac. The results were amazingly these earlier explorers to find their way good. With just a few days work, a little across the vast oceans on their way to the elbow grease and some all-purpose cleaner, Whitianga area. The Stardome Trust has we extended the life of our dome. Have you shown great faith in the Mercury Bay done something around your theater that Regional Museum project, and in the face of saved you time, money or just made your a great deal of interest from other institu- life a little easier? I am sure that the rest of us tions, has donated the planetarium to be would love to hear about it. So send your incorporated in the design of the new muse- nifty trick, neat idea, or wacky invention to um. Utilizing a great deal of local specialist me at the address above and I’ll be sure to support, they hope to have the planetarium Jean-Micel Faidit delivers his talk, include it in a future edition! I thank those of up and running within the next 18 months. “One Century Ago, The Sun Festival you who have let me know that you have The museum exhibit design team has begun on The Eiffel Tower”, from where else enjoyed this column. But remember, as easy but the First Platform of the Eiffel C to develop a room to allow the planetarium Tower! (Photo courtesy of J.M. Faidit.) as it looks, I can’t do it without you!

Wanted: Associate Editor for What’s New

If you’ve read Jim Manning’s What’s New column earlier in the editorial team of the Planetarian. If you enjoy writing, would this issue , you’ve learned that Jim is changing careers and that this like to participate more in the planetarium profession, attend at is his 60th and final column. Jim has done a wonderful job for 15 least some planetarium conferences, and would enjoy describing years (!) and I’ve enjoyed reading his columns as much as you have. new products for your colleagues, please contact me. You could A big round of applause to Jim! have a lot of fun at the same time! Now we’re looking for a replacement associate editor to join – John Mosley, Executive Editor

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“It was not a normal situation,” said a local “I was reading your Planetarian column Last Light meteorologist. “Things went haywire as (Dec 2004) where you were talking about soon as the order for a ‘24mm Pan’ went in Buhl’s shows and cultures and then tissue to High Point Scientific for a capital district cultures. address. People think no one is keeping track “It took me about 1/2 paragraph before I of astronomical equipment, but thanks to figured out you were talking medical stuff, the Patriot Act we have a handle on who’s not about Kleenex. behind this meteorological terrorism. If you “I just couldn’t figure out how Kleenex want to know who’s causing this rainfall just could have a planetarium show about it look to the disreputable members of the even though you did say Buhl comes up ‘Cloud Gang’ that calls itself the AAAA.” with diverse programs. The club president of the AAAA could not “Good thing I’m retired—- I could be dan- be reached for comment. A board member, gerous!” on condition of anonymity, said, “The * * * AAAA strictly denies any causal connection The Southeastern Planetarium Associ- between the acquisition of high end astro- ation’s 2004 meeting in Richmond, Virginia, nomical equipment and poor weather,” was a great success. A generous number of adding, “in any case, we know that the trans- door-prizes made for some interesting action involving the 24mm Pan Optic insights. involved selling off previously acquired April S. Whitt Heidi Ransome won the Loch Ness LPN equipment to finance the new one, which directory. As she was walking up to receive Fernbank Science Center technically is not a purchase, but a trade.” the prize, someone in the audience quipped, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno scoffed 156 Heaton Park Drive NE “Now you can look for a new job!” at the explanation, calling it “ludicrous” and Charles Ferguson traveled from Knoxville, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA “casuistic.” Bruno added he was introducing Tennessee to the Richmond conference. His legislation to require amateur astronomers [email protected] wristwatch had broken during the trip, and to take receipt of equipment worth more he carried a loudly-ticking wind-up alarm Whether you’re celebrating the beginning than $50 at exotic viewing locations such as clock around the conference as a time keep- of the plowing season or the beginning of Mauna Kea in Hawaii or the Winter Star er. He won a prize, too – a clock from Zeiss. the harvest, I hope this finds you well. In the Party in Florida. aftermath of the tsunami, it was a comfort to “That way the worst effects will be felt * * * hear from many of you, with assurances of elsewhere,” a spokesman for Bruno ex- your safety and reports about your facilities plained, “and business here will resume a This year makes the centennial and families. Thank you for keeping in more normal course.” anniversary of the publication of Ein- touch. You remain in our thoughts and * * * stein’s Theory of Special Relativity, and prayers. Retired planetarian Gary Tomlinson the fiftieth anniversary of Einstein’s * * * shared his e-mail message to Jim Hughes, death. Here are some of my favorite At the Great Lakes Planetarium Associa- after the last issue of the Planetarian reached quotes of his: tion annual meeting in October, Gary Lazich him in Michigan. Gary writes: received his First Place Award in the In- “Just thought you might get a kick out of I never think of the future. It comes ternational Planetarium Society’s Eugenides this. soon enough. Script Writing Contest. Isn’t it Common sense is the col- wonderful to have such talented lection of prejudices acquir- colleagues share their work with ed by age eighteen. us, and get recognized for it as Imagination is more well? Congratulations, Gary! important than knowledge. * * * Reality is merely an illu- sion, albeit a very persistent From the Albany, New York one. Amateur Astronomers Associ- The only real valuable ation thing is intuition. Science is a wonderful Subject: UPS Delivery of 24mm thing if one does not have Pan Optic Wreaks Havoc in New to earn one's living at it. York’s Capital District Science without religion is lame. Religion without sci- Albany, NY (UPI) — An inch of ence is blind. rain fell yesterday afternoon, The secret to creativity is causing local flooding and nearly knowing how to hide your drowning two fishermen in the sources. Mohawk River, who narrowly Peace cannot be kept by escaped being swept over the Chuck Bueter (at podium) reads the IPS script writing con- force. It can only be achiev- falls thanks to the efforts of fifty test award plaque to First Place winner Gary Lazich (left). ed by understandings. rescuers. GLPA President Joe Derocher looks on. Photo by Jeanne Bishop.

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