PLANETARIAN Journal of the International Planetarium Society Vol. 30, No. I, March 2001

Articles 4 Sputnik, Planetaria, and the Rebirth of U.S. Astronomy Education ...... Jordan D. Marche II 10 "Bear Talesf/(script) ...... Jon U. Bell 17 IPS Eugenides Foundation Script Contest ...... Steve Tidey 20 Astronomical Quotes ...... Steve Tidey ,

Features 25 Reviews ...... April S. Whitt 29 What's New ...... Jim Manning 32 Forum: Non-astronomical Shows? ...... Steve Tidey 40 Mobile News Network ...... Susan Button 43 International News ...... Lars Broman 49 President's Message ...... Martin Ratcliffe 53 Gibbous Gazette ...... James Hughes 56 Jane's Corner ...... Jane Hastings North America Welcomes a Brilliant NelN Character in Star ShOlNs: Zeiss Fiber Optics

With the dawn of the new millenni­ improve the quality of Star Shows for um, visitors of the new planetariums in audiences of the Universarium. They are Oakland, CA and New York City will also offered with the Starmaster, the experience brilliant stars produced by medium planetarium. the Carl Zeiss Universarium fiber optics Quality at the highest level which systems, Invented by Carl Zeiss, the stars you can afford. appear in their natural tiny size, but We will be happy to inform you shine with extraordinary brilliance. about how Carl Zeiss can make sure thaI Come and see this absolute pinnacle you will experience a new experience of projections of stars. Fiber optic systems Star Shows. by Carl Zeiss are not only offered to

Seeing Is Believing! Carl Zeiss Planetarium Division In the U.S.& Canada D - 07740 lena cOlltact Pearl Reilly: INS TFlLJf'v'1ENT Telephone: + 49-3641 -64 24 06 1-800-726-8805 Fax: + 49-3641-64 30 23 Fax: 1-504-764-7665 E-mail: planetarium @zeiss.de E·mail: plreilly@aol.com Interne!: http://www.zeiss.delplanetariums The Planetarian (ISN 0090-3213) is published quarterly by the International Society. ©2001, International Planetarium Society. Inc .. all rights reserved. Opinions pvr.. rp",,,,,,,rl e by authors are personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions of the International etarium Society. its officers. or agents. Acceptance of advertisements. announcements. or 1. 3 I No.1 material does not imply endorsement by the International Planetarium Society. its officers 2001 agents. The Editor welcomes items for consideration for publication. Please consult (or arc "Guidelines for Contributors" printed on page 56 in the September 1997 issue and posted web site. The Editor reserves the right to edit any manuscript to suit this publication's needs.

Index of dverti

Director, Minneapolis Planetarium 300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 USA (1) 612-630-6151 (1) 612-630-6180 fax [email protected] cover Individual: $50 one year; two years cover Institutional: $200 first year; $100 annual renewal Library Subscriptions: $36 one year Direct membership requests and changes ofaddress to the Treasurer /Membership Chairman; see next page for address and contact information. Spitz, I. The IPS Job Information Service has moved to the World Wide Web. Please check the 'jobs" page on the IPS web site: http://www.i ps-planetari um.org. rs

Available from: Lars Broman Jim ..... 'ucuJ.J...... F, Charlene Oukes International News What's New IPS Back Publications RepOSitory Susan h'",.'{rr.nlrlc Steve Strasenburgh Planetarium Mobile Forum Rochester Museum & Science Center 657 East Avenue Jane G. Rochester, NY 14607 USA Jane's Corner J ames Hughes A cumulative index of major articles that have Gibbous Gazette appeared in the Planetarian from the first issue through the current issue is available on paper ($12 ppd) or disk ($5 ppd) from the Exec. Editor. A shortened copy is at the Planetarian web site.

September: December: October 21

Vol. No.1, March 2001 Planetarian Pe s. Officers

President (I) 541-687-6459 fax Thomas Jefferson High School Martin Ratcliffe [email protected] for Science and Technology Director, Theaters & Media Services 6560 Braddock Road Exploration Place Past President Alexandria, Virginia 22312 USA 711 W. Douglas, Suite 101 Dr. Dale W. Smith (I) 703-750-8380 Wichita, Kansas 67213 USA BGSU Planetarium, 104 Overman Hall (l) 703-750-5010 fax (I) 316-263-3373 Physics &Astronomy Dept. [email protected] (1) 316-263-4545 fax Bowling Green State University [email protected] mratcl [email protected] Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 USA (I) 419-372-8666 Treasurer and Membership Chair President Elect (l) 419-372-9938 fax Shawn Laatsch Jon Elvert [email protected] Arthur Storer Planetarium Lane ESD Planetarium 600 Dares Beach Road 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy Executive Secretary Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678 USA Eugene, Oregon 97401 Lee Ann Hennig (1) 410-535-7339 (I) 541-461-8227 Planetarium [email protected] P .. So Affiliate Representatives

Association of French-Speaking Planetariums European/Mediterranean Planetarium Associa- Ostra Hamngatan 1 Marc Moutin tion S-791 71 Falun SWEDEN Cite de L , Espace Dennis Simopoulos (46) 23 10 177 Avenue Jean Gonord B.P. 5855 Eugenides Planetarium (46) 2310 137 fax 31506 Toulouse FRANCE Syngrou A venue-Amfithea [email protected] +33 (0) 5 62 71 64 80 Athens GREECE http://www.nrm.se/om/xtraltc-wnpa.html +33 (0) 5 61 807470 fax (30) 1 941 1181 [email protected] (30) I 941 7372 fax Pacific Planetarium Association [email protected] Jon Elvert Association of Mexican Planetariums Lane ESD Planetarium Ing.Gabriel Munoz Bedolla, Director del Great Lakes Planetarium Association 2300 Leo Harris PKWY Planetario Centro de Convenciones Susan Reynolds Button Eugene, Oregon 97401 USA y Exposiciones de Morelia Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (l) 541 461 8227 Av. Ventura Puente y Camelinas B.O.C.E.S. Planetarium (I) 541 6876459 fax Apartado Postal 78 P.O. Box 4754 [email protected] 58070 Morelia Michoacan MEXICO Syracuse, New York 13221 USA http://www .efn.orgl-esd-pIt +52 (43) 14-24-65 planetarium (I) 315 433 2671 +52 (43) 14-84-80 fax (1) 315 433 1530 fax Rocky Mountain Planetarium Association [email protected] [email protected] Christine Shupla http://michoacan.gob.mx/turismo/3036 Arizona Science Center /cconvenciones.htm Great Plains Planetarium Association 600 East Washington Street Jack Dunn Phoenix, Arizona 85004 USA Australasian Planetarium Society Ralph Mueller Planetarium (l) 602 7162078 Glen Moore University of Nebraska- Lincoln [email protected] Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium 210 Morrill Hall Cowper Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0375 USA Russian Planetariums Association Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, NSW 2500 (1) 402 472 2641 Zinaida P. Sitkova AUSTRALIA (l) 402 4758899 fax Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium 018-425325 [email protected] Pokhvalinskii S'Yezd 5-A glen _ [email protected] Nizhny Novgorod, 603 600 RUSSIA http://www.abc.net.au/iocal/illawarra/radio Italian Planetaria's Friends Association (7) 831 2 30 51 51 /science I.htm Loris Ramponi (7) 831 2 30 51 66 fax National Archive of Planetaria [email protected] British Association of Planetariums c/o Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino Zani Paul England via Bosca 24. c.P. 104 Southeastern Planetarium Association Fort Victoria Planetarium 25066 Lumezzane (Brescia) IT AL Y John Hare Fort Victoria Country Park, (39) 30 87 21 64 Ash Enterprises Westhill Lane Norton (39) 30 87 25 45 fax 3602 23rd Avenue West Yarmouth P041 ORR England [email protected] Bradenton, Florida 34205 USA UNITED KINGDOM [email protected] (1) 941 7463522 [email protected] (I) 941 7509497 fax Japan Planetarium Society [email protected] Canadian Council of Science Centres Shoichi Itoh John Dickenson Planetarium Ur Southwestern Association of Planetariums Managing Director, Pacific Space Centre Suginami Science Education Center Mark S. Sonntag H.R. MacMillan Planetarium 3-3-13 Shimizu, Suginami-ku Professor & Planetarium Director 1100 Chestnut Street Tokyo 167-0033 JAPAN Department of Physics Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3J9 CANADA (81) 3 33964391 Angelo State University (1) 604 738 78 I 7 ext.234 (81) 3 33964393 fax San Angelo, Texas 76909 USA (I) 604 736 5665 fax [email protected] (I) 915-942-2136 [email protected] [email protected] ( 1) 915-942-2188 fax [email protected] [email protected] Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society [email protected] Council of German Planetariums Don Knapp Dr. Johannes V. Feitzinger Planetarium, McDonald Elementary School Ukranian Planetariums Association Sternwarte Bochum 666 Reeves Lane Dr. Alexander P. Lenin Castroper Strasse 67 Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 USA Repoublican Planetarium 0-44777 Bochum GERMANY (1) 215 4416154 57/3 Krasnoaremeiskaia Street +49 (234) 51606-0 [email protected] Kiev 252 005 UKRAINE +49 (234) 51606-51 fax (744) 22751 66 [email protected] Nordic Planetarium Association (744) 227 51 43 fax Lars Broman [email protected] Broman Planetarium

2 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March S.. Standing

IPS Membership Committee IPS Publications Committee IPS Conference Host- 2002 Shawn Laatsch, Chair April Whitt, Chair Ing.Gabriel Munoz, Director del Arthur Storer Planetarium Fembank Science Center Planetario Centro de Convenciones y Exposiciones 600 Dares Beach Road 156 Heaton Park Drive NE de Morelia Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678 USA Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA Av. Ventura Puente y Camelinas (1) 410 5357339 (I) 404 378 4314 ext. 221 Apartado Postal 78 (I) 410 535-7200 fax (I) 404 370 1336 fax 58070 Morelia Michoacan MEXICO [email protected] april. [email protected] +52 (43) 14-24-65 planetarium +52 (43) 14-84-80 fax IPS Elections Committee IPS WEB Committee [email protected] Steve Mitch, Chair Tom Callen, Chair http://michoacan.gob .mx/turismo/3036 Planetarium Cosmonova Omnitheater Icconvenciones.htm Benedum Natural Science Center Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet Oglebay Park Frescativagen 40 , Box 50007 IPS Ethics Committee - vacant Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 USA SE 104 05 Stockholm SWEDEN ( 1) 304 243 4034 (46) 8 519 55104 IPS Finance Committee - President, President­ (1) 304 2434110 fax ( 46) 8 5 I 9 55 I OOfax Elect, Treasurer, Secretary [email protected] [email protected]

IPS Awards Committee IPS Conference Committee Phyllis Pitluga, Chair Dr. Dale W. Smith, Chair The Adler Planetarium BGSU Planetarium, 104 Overman Hall 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive Physics &Astronomy Dept. Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA Bowling Green State University (I) 312 322 0319 Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 USA (l) 312 322 2257 ( I ) 419 372 8666 [email protected] (1) 419 372 9938 fax [email protected] I. P. S. AD HOC Committees

IPS Consumer Affairs/Astrology Committee ( I ) 402 472 2641 ( 1) 315 432 4523 fax Dr. Jeanne Bishop, Chair (I) 402 4758899 fax [email protected] Westlake Schools Planetarium [email protected] Parks ide Middle School IPS Professional Services Committee 24525 Hilliard Road IPS Language Committee David Menke, Chair Westlake, Ohio 44145 USA Chris Janssen 936 SW 49th Ave. (I) 440 8356399 Limburgse Volkssterrenwacht Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33317-4411 USA (1) 440 835 6325 Planetariumweg 19 [email protected] [email protected] 8-3600 Genk BELGIUM +3289307990 IPS Script Contest Committee Armand Spitz Planetarium Education Fund - +3289307991 fax Steve Tidey Finance Committee [email protected] Astronomy Educator Alexander Brest Planetarium IPS Education Committee IPS Media Distribution Committee 1025 Museum Circle Gary Sampson Thomas Kraupe, Chair Jacksonville, Florida 32207 USA Wauwatosa West high School Planetarium Planetarium Hamburg [email protected] 11400 West Center Street Hindenburgdamm 01 Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53222 USA D-22303 Hamburg GERMANY IPS Technology Committee (I) 4147733000 [email protected] Kevin Scott, Chair (l) 4147733194 voice [email protected] The Renaissance Center (I) 4147733020 fax (49) 040-514985-15 P.O. Box 608 [email protected] (49) 040-514985- I 0 fax 855 Hwy 46 South Dickson, Tennessee 37056 USA IPS History Committee IPS Outreach Committee (1) 6157405510 John Hare, Chair, IPS Historian Christine Shup\a (1) 615 7405618 fax Ash Enterprises Arizona Science Center [email protected] 3602 23td Avenue West 600 East Washington Street Bradenton, Florida 34205 USA Phoenix, Arizona 85004 USA (I) 941 7463522 (1) 602 7162078 (1) 941 7509497 fax (1) 6027162099 fax [email protected] shup\[email protected]

IPS Job Information Service Subcommittee IPS Planetarium Development Group (Professional Services Committee) Ken Wilson, Chair Permanent Mailing Address Steve Fentress, Chair Ethyl Universe Planetarium International Planetarium Society Strasenburgh Planetarium Science Museum of Virginia c/o Taylor Planetarium Rochester Museum & Science Center 2500 West Broad Street 657 East A venue Richmond, Virginia 23220 USA Museum of the Rockies Rochester, New York 14607 USA (1) 804 367-0457 Montana State University (I) 716271 4552 ext. 409 (I) 804367-9348 fax 600 W. Kagy Bl vd. (I) 716 27 I 7 I 46 fax [email protected] Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA [email protected] IPS Portable Planetarium Committee IPS Lasers in Planetariums Committee Sue Reynolds Button, Chair IPS Web Site: Jack A Dunn, Chair Starlab Planetarium http://WWW.ips-planetarium.org Ralph Mueller Planetarium Onondaga-Cortland-Madison 80CES 210 Morrill Hall P.O. Box 4754 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Syracuse, New York 1322 I USA Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0375 USA (I) 315 433 2671

Produced at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California; http://www.GriffithObs.org/IPSPlanetarian.html

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian • • I I P t I I I

sion of the newer lat)orat<)ry SCiences th sey 1965). Surmo1rters • one of four major interest groups u.s. stro I for control of the twentieth century can curriculum (Kliebard 1987). These

peting interests },;J.(H.H.H'" fused has been called hrn,ar

The launch of the first Sputnik satellite on organizational system of a machine; some 4 October 1957 caught Americans off-guard asserted that students should be trained in a as dramatically as the news of Pearl Harbor factory-like manner, with a minimum of ing, content-based curricula, rote mt~mloriza- almost 16 years earlier (Divine 1993; Clowse 1981). Political historian Walter A. McDougall Except for the Japanese attack on Pearl argues that, by not anticipating Sputnik's [took] the American people so much by surprise as extraordinary propaganda value, the Eisen­ hower presidency was dealt its greatest of the first Soviet earth satellite." -(Sullivan 1961) defeat (McDougall 1985; Lule 1991). Scholars generally agree about the public's crisis of confidence, which significantly redefined waste to produce a maximum of product tion, and evaluation national goals and objectives for the explo­ (Montgomery 1994). As the result of increas­ tery. ration and utilization of space (Killian 1977). ing demands for greater efficiency and occu­ effective rather than the aC(1Ui:5ition Equally powerful reactions were generated pational relevancy, as well as a broader knowledge and to connect through revised perceptions of the role of understanding of adolescent psychology, gram of the school to the life of the COlmnnu- federal support for education (Spring 1976). higher education's traditional, classical cur­ nity around it. the 1920s, Dr()QTeSsive riculum and its mental disCipline model of cation had become the dominant Anner'icalll Astronomy Education Before pedagogy were called into question. With pedagogy (Ravitch 1983). Sputnik the collapse of the mental disCipline model, astronomy education lost its once-powerful In the years before 1900, an astronomy rationale of support (Marche 1999). course enjoyed widespread acceptance as a the launch of JI/L4Lf,'''". According to one leading interpretation, suitable prerequisite for college admission. blamed the nation's astronomy was largely eliminated from the This situation reflected astronomy's preemi­ tified the ",,,,,eroai H".rI nation's secondary schools and colleges, fol­ nent role as a mental discipline subject in the education as the reason that lowing recommendations drafted by the secondary curriculum. It was widely believ­ icans had fallen behind the Soviets space National Educational Association's Commit­ ed that the mind functioned analogously to (Divine 1993). Whether these tee of Ten, chaired by Harvard University the muscles of the body; only through prop­ were accurate or not, president Charles W. Eliot (Bishop 1977, 1979; er stimulus and exercise could one's powers this succession of debates to a sud­ Krug 1964). The Committee's report, pub­ of thinking become fully developed. The den climax and produced dramatic chan;ges lished in 1893, reduced astronomy from a study of astronomy, which furnished num­ of Words were re}:)lac:ed college prerequisite to an elective subject erous applications of geometrical and mathe­ actions. Reforms involved a movement while elevating the laboratory sciences of matical reasoning, was regarded as ideal for toward consolidation of American physics and chemistry to the forefront. The improving a student's mental discipline. This schools (Conant 1959) and acceptance Committee's actions, it is argued, interrupted perception, however, experienced a sudden of the so-called to cur- the cycle of astronomy teaching and learn­ and dramatic change. riculum design by leading educators. Har­ ing prevalent during much of the nine­ In the late-nineteenth century, vigorous vard University psychologist Jerome Bruner teenth century and triggered a progressive debates arose among educators concerning stood as the antithesis of earlier DrC)l!rlessilve decline in astronomy education, which was pedagogical theory and practice. These clash­ thinking and nrr",,,1.ar1 not reversed until the launch of Sputnik es were spawned largely by Gilded Age trans­ ricul um revisions a roughly 60 years later. formations of American society into an approach (Bruner 1960). These urbanized/industrialized economy and were tempered by the entrance of newly hetero­ education into the American curriculum. geneous student populations composed of The Committee's arguments reflected still The National Science Foundation (NSF) women and immigrants into the schools. broader reforms that gradually dismantled underwrote many Our educational process was likened to the higher education's classical curriculum. mathematics,

4 Planetarian Vol. physics (DuschI1990). Support for these revi­ news and information. In addition to educat­ brought him several distinctions, inc:lwdiIllg sions was highly dependent upon prevailing ing visitors, planetaria have stimulated an honorary doctorate from Otterbein Col­ issues of Cold War ideology, manpower younger audience members to pursue future lege, Westerville, Ohio. Spitz was apl)ointe~d channeling, and widespread criticisms of the careers in science and technology. Planetaria national coordinator of visual satellite obser­ public schools (Spring 1976). Although sel­ have improved the attentive public's under­ vations for Project Moonwatch, a collabora­ dom taught as a semester-length course, standing of science, not only within their tion organized by the Smithsonian Astro­ astronomy was incorporated as a unit of fields of specialization but across a host of physical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachu­ study in the American Geological Institute's related diSCiplines. setts, which enabled amateur astronomers to Earth Science Curriculum Project and its assist professionals in reporting pn~liIni]laI'Y text, Investigating the Earth (1967), as well as Response of American Planetari­ satellite observations (Hayes 1967). The first in The (Harvard) Project Physics Course (1970). um Manufacturers manmade object observed by Moonwatch­ Further, an Elementary-School Science pro­ ers was the spent rocket booster of Sputnik 1. Prior to the launch of Sputnik, American gram designed to introduce astronomy in Spitz's product line was expanded and a entrepreneur Armand N. Spitz (1904-1971), grades 1-6 was written and produced by two marketing strategy was initiated after NDEA formerly a lecturer at Philadelphia's Fels University of illinois educators (Wyatt 1972). legislation was signed into law in September Planetarium, had begun to manufacture However, the rebirth of U.S. astronomy edu­ 1958. The first of these resulted in design of a small, inexpensive ($500) pinhole-style plan­ cation was mainly accomplished when the more sophisticated, versatile projector etarium projectors in 1947 (Abbatantuono 85th Congress passed the National Defense dubbed the A3P, which became the most 1994). Over the next decade, more than a Education Act (NDEA) of 1958. widely manufactured planetarium instru­ hundred of Spitz's Model A devices were NDEA legislation broke long-standing ment in the world. In place of Spitz's awk­ installed in the U.s., earning Spitz the nick­ resistance to federal support of education ward-looking dodecahedron, a spherical star­ name, the Henry Ford of planetaria. Spitz's and brought sweeping changes to U.S. sci­ ball exhibiting a sleek, professional appear­ achievements in popularizing astronomy ence, mathematics, and foreign language ance was substituted. More importantly, instruction (Clowse 1981). Initially, $70 mil­ lion per year was appropriated over four years from 1959-1963 to fund Title III of the Act. Allocations were distributed among state educational agencies on a matching basis for the "acquisition of equipment ... and for minor remodeling." To receive funds, a state was reqUired to submit a state plan which met requirements specified elsewhere in the Act (Chapter 171959). In Pennsylvania, for example, enthusiasm for NDEA assistance ran so high among officials that over 100 new planetaria were installed in the coming decade (described below). This began the first large-scale integration of planetaria with the nation's public schools. To complement NDEA legislation, the 88th Congress extended these same educa­ tional opportunities to our nation's colleges and universities through the Higher Educa­ tion Facilities Act of 1963. Passage of the Act was fueled by expectation of soaring enroll­ ments from the nation's first baby boomers. Initial appropriations of $230 million per year were allocated for the construction of "academic facilities '" necessary or appropri­ ate for instruction of students" (Chapter 21 1964). Through this legislation, substantial numbers of planetaria became part of post­ secondary astronomy instruction. An unexpected windfall of federal legisla­ tion was the continuing education plane­ taria offered to the attentive public, who attended regular programs, often free of charge, and were kept abreast of the latest developments in astronomical research and space exploration. Even today, institutions with planetaria act as focal points for count­ less amateur astronomical societies and serve A3P star instrument, designed by Spitz Laboratories president Wallace E. Frank (b. 1921). The as clearinghouses for upcoming space-related A3P became the most widely manufactured planetarium instrument in the world. Courtesy Grace Scholz Spitz.

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 5 techniques of miniaturization made possible the fabrication of a fully integrated system THE US of planetary projectors, which had been absent on Spitz's earlier models. Designed by Spitz engineer (and later president) Wallace E. Frank, the A3P, with its capability of p RI demonstrating a full range of planetary phe­ nomena, represented a milestone in the tech­ nical development of small planetarium IN T E TE F instruments (Norton 1968). A second strategy adopted by Spitz Labor­ atories was to incorporate its new projector E RTH AND SP CE S I within a larger package known as a space sci­ ence classroom. Based upon the latest peda­ gogical theories, the educational role of the planetarium was redefined to meet the chal­ lenges of a new era. As promotional literature of the time stressed, our nation's allocation of unprecedented research expenditures demanded a basic understanding of space sci­ ence among scientists and all citizens as well. To meet this challenge, a profound curricu­ lum revision was advocated (Spitz Labora­ tories, n.d.). Even without the spur of federallegisla­ tion, planetarium usage in revitalizing Amer­ ican science education was encouraged by PREPARED FOR SPITZ LABORATORIES,INC. leaders of existing facilities. John C. Rose­ BY ROGER NEIL EARLY mergy, director of the Ann Arbor (Michigan) High School planetarium, remarked to col­ leagues at a 1958 symposium that "Sputnik made the American secondary school, and particularly its science programs, the subjects of a suddenly magnified and panicky con­ cern." School planetaria, Rosemergy argued, "are a resounding answer to some of the LAB R T RIES,IN III questions directed at our schools because of Sputnik" (Rosemergy 1959). YORKLYN,

Pennsylvania's Earth- and Space­ 1 0 Science Curriculum Inside cover, Roger Neal Early, The Use of the Planetarium in the Teaching of Earth and In 1958, Charles H. Boehm, Pennsylvania's Space Science (Yorklyn, Delaware: Spitz Laboratories, 1960). Courtesy Grace Scholz Spitz. Superintendent of Public Instruction, attend­ ed an Air Force Association convention in state officials considered it their responsibili­ Elementary and Secondary Education Act Dallas, Texas. Boehm later described this ex­ ty as ci tizens to maximize the pot en tial and the Higher Education Act of 1965 perience as "a preview of the kind of world offered by the unprecedented NDEA re­ (Clowse 1981), triggered a third and by far the in which today's youth would live the great­ source. They envisioned that school plane­ largest phase of American planetarium est period of their lives" (Boehm 1963). taria, along with astronomical observatories growth. From just over one hundred perma­ Boehm returned to organize a committee of and earth/space science laboratories, could nent planetaria operating within the U.S. 14 educators who drafted the nation's first form the principal vehicles for delivery of before Sputnik, their numbers rose dramati­ integrated earth- and space-science curricu­ the Pennsylvania curriculum, while satisfy­ cally. During years of peak activity in the lum. After preliminary testing, it was intro­ ing the NDEA mandate for a state plan. By late 1960s, coinciding with NASA's duced throughout the Commonwealth dur­ 1971, Pennsylvania boasted of having 151 or lunar landing program, approXimately 80 ing the 1959-60 school year (Kosoloski 1962). approximately 20% of the nation's 729 plan­ new planetaria were established each year. The course was usually implemented at the etaria (either operational or in planning Within the U.S., planetaria were located in 9th grade level, replacing existing general sci­ stages), of which 125 were operated by school every state but two (exceptions were North ence courses. Pennsylvania's curriculum was districts (Sperling 1,971a). Kosoloski described and South Dakota), plus the District of later adopted by other school districts across this task as being "not (simply) a job; it is a Columbia. With increasing frequency of the country, but came to acquire an even calling" (Kosoloski n.d.). occurrence, these were distributed among broader significance in fulfilling the state's 102 museums or science centers, 238 univer­ own educational mission. Rebirth of u.S. Astronomy sities/colleges, and 375 schools/districts. Pennsylvania's earth- and space-science Education Fourteen installations did not fit these insti­ tutional categories (Sperling 1971a). Federal coordinator, John E. Kosoloski, and other Federal legislation, generalized under the

6 Planetarian Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 funding significantly increased the planetar­ which continued through the historic constituted the services most often request­ ium community's institutional base, espe­ Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975 (Langfeld 1962; ed by elementary schools. Little formal eval­ cially among school and collegiate institu­ Hall 1966). During the 1960s, NASA under­ uation of student learning was conducted by tions. This extraordinary movement yielded wrote expenses for an elementary education planetarium instructors and limited oppor­ two principal consequences. resource guide and conducted the first com­ tunities existed for student participation. First, the cycle of astronomy teaching and prehensive survey of the community's 421 Maurice G. Moore (1965) examined selected learning, which had been absent since the extant planetaria (Wagner 1966; Ahrendt characteristics of adults enrolled in continu­ turn of the century, was re-established. Both n.d.). ing education classes. Moore analyzed the the content and rationale of astronomy edu­ Planetarium personnel first organized media habits, word-recognition abilities, and cation were dramatically altered by the themselves into regional aSSOCiations, mod­ personal attitudes toward expenditure of space age, however. Astronomy was no eled after the National Science Teachers funds for space research among those who longer accorded a place in the secondary cur­ Association (NST A) and other affiliate-mem­ attended planetaria and those who did not. riculum to satisfy college entrance require­ ber societies. In 1970, the first continent-wide Planetarium attendance was correlated with ments or the mental discipline model of ped­ association was formed at Michigan State higher word recognition abilities and more agogy. After 1957, astronomy and space sci­ University's Abrams Planetarium and wel­ positive attitudes regarding space explo­ ence were looked upon as academic disci­ comed institutions of both Canadian and ration. Moore's research provided evidence plines to be mastered in the nationwide rush Mexican origin (Sperling 1971b). From its of positive reinforcement between the popu­ to catch up with the Soviets. The necessity of inception, the International SOCiety of larization of science and increased levels of offering a space science education to stu­ Planetarium Educators (ISPE), now known as public support for science/engineering poli­ dents of all ages justified the construction of the International Planetarium Society (IPS), cy decisions. hundreds of new school and collegiate plan­ has remained the most viable professional An important advance accompanied the etaria through the 1960s (and beyond). organization of its kind and has grown to first experimental analyses of planetarium Within a formalized educational context, encompass some 19 affiliate chapters from lecture-demonstrations. Astronomy educa­ planetaria remained in the schools and were around the world. Last year, it celebrated its tors anticipated that planetaria would prove used in instructing students well after other 30th anniversary and hosted its fifteenth to be the most effective means of instruc­ curricula, textbooks, and laboratory equip­ biennial conference in Montreal, Quebec, tion, because of the theory that "the closer ment purchased in the wake of Sputnik dis­ Canada. It is difficult to imagine how either the vicarious experience" - representation appeared. At the same time, a second, infor­ the regional associations or ISPE/IPS could of the night sky - "is to the actual objective mal context of astronomy education was have organized themselves as quickly, or experience, the stronger and more accurate strengthened, whose primary audience (akin with the same results, if the Soviets had not (will be) the perception of the learner" (Reed to museum visitors) consisted of the atten­ orbited a satellite before U.s. launch prepara­ 1970a). Yet, four independent investigations tive public, including families and children. tions got underway for the International of that hypothesis reported disconfirming While appropriations for planetaria were Geophysical Year (lGY). directed only toward formal education, an equal or greater emphasis upon learning Planetaria and Educational occurred within the informal context, thus Research, 1963-1970 establishing planetaria in public facilities Significant educational research in Amer­ that by themselves could not have attracted ican planetaria only began in the mid- to the financial support needed to construct late-1960s. The unfavorable conditions prior and operate them. to Sputnik contributed to the delay of this A second major impact of federal funding research. While astronomy was largely resulted in professionalization of the com­ absent from elementary and secondary cur­ munity of planetarium educators. Rapid ricula in the pre-Sputnik years, student expo­ institutional growth fostered urgent needs of sure to planetaria was limited to periodic vis­ formalized training programs in planetarium its at public museums/science centers. Once instruction. NSF-sponsored summer insti­ NDEA-funded planetaria began to prolifer­ tutes and graduate-level internships were ate, and space science classrooms became hurriedly established to satisfy these regular features of districts (Williams 1960; demands. A wealth of new institutions and Berland 1961), educators realized the rele­ personnel served to redefine the social struc­ vance and importance of studying the types tures of the community itself. The space age of learning resulting from the use of plane­ exerted a profoundly unifying effect upon taria as compared with traditional forms of the American planetarium profession. Two instruction. Two distinct methods of inquiry national symposia on planetarium educa­ were used: demographiC surveys adminis­ tion were convened in 1958 and 1960, which tered to determine patterns of utilization, resulted in publication of the discipline's and experimental analyses comparing the first professional monographs Oagger 1959; effectiveness of planetarium instruction to Roche n.d.). Leaders of major U.S. planetaria ordinary classroom techniques. hosted the first international conference in Among the former category, Ruth Ann 1959, inviting directors from institutions in International Society ofPlanetarium Edu­ Korey (1963) was the first to explore the Iron Curtain countries (Anon. 1959). In 1959, cators' first president, Paul R. Engle (1919- nationwide scope and nature of planetarium NASA began astronaut training exercises at 1992). Courtesy John Hare IV and IPS programs in relation to elementary educa­ the Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill, N.C., Archives, Bishop Planetarium, Bradenton, tion. She reported that organized class visits Florida.

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 7 Conference of American Planetarium Educators (CAPE), Michigan State University, 22 October 1970. Host Von Del Chamberlain and keynote speaker Dr. George O. Abell (Armand N. Spitz Lecture) are visible at lower right corner. Courtesy Michigan State University Photographic Laboratory (neg. no. 703198-1). evidence. Classroom lecture-demonstrati()ns ed more sophisticated understandings of the resulting feedback generated from audience either produced results that differed little learning strategies and preconceptions by members. The attentive public's voice for from, or were judged superior to, planetari­ which students and adults acquire and dis­ continued support of space exploration had um demonstrations (d. Smith 1966; Reed play their thinking skills. One of this era's a significant impact on later space initiatives. 1970b). This finding was the first major blow leading developments was an emphasis on Since their inception, planetaria have pro­ to instructors and manufacturers who were participatory-oriented planetarium pro­ vided significant levels of both formal and surprised at the apparent inadequacy of the grams (Friedman 1975). Whether adopted in informal education for the astronomically­ planetarium as an instructional device. Ex­ formalized educational contexts, or included minded attentive public. They have inspired perimentalists suspected, however, that the as general audience-participation techniques, future generations to fashion careers around problem lay not with the planetarium or its this approach demonstrated superior learn­ the scientific and technical innovations utilization, but rather with the means used ing potential and retention of information accompanying the dawn of spaceflight. to assess student performance. Researchers (Friedman et al. 1980). Thereafter, it became United States astronomy education and the unwittingly uncovered the difficulties ex­ widely diffused among planetarium educa­ American planetarium community benefit­ perienced by students of all ages in attemp­ tors. ed enormously from the Soviet Union's sur­ ting to transfer knowledge acquired in the prise launch of Sputnik. Without this jolt, context of planetarium instruction (namely, Conclusions curriculum rebirth and the enhancement of the darkened, three-dimensional plan­ Dissatisfaction with our nation's educa­ professional status among planetarium edu­ etarium chamber) to the context of eval­ tional system, which reached crisis propor­ cators might not have been so readily uation (the lighted classroom environment achieved. tions with the launch of Sputnik, resulted in filled with two-dimensional representations). hundreds of new planetaria being installed The difficulties of transferring between the in schools/districts, universities/colleges, and Acknowledgements two contexts appeared to explain the plane­ museums/science centers, along with the Special thanks are due to Ms. Betsy Alt­ tarium's measured lack of effectiveness as a renaissance of U.S. astronomy education. man, formerly of the International Center device for teaching a variety of astronomical Correspondingl y, new social structures, for the Advancement of Scientific Literacy, concepts (Reed 1970a; Warneking 1970). research opportunities, and means of profes­ Chicago, for editorial help in the preparation Research into planetarium education sionalization arose in response to the rapid of this manuscript, and Dr. Jon D. Miller, for­ expanded and diversified after 1970, while increase in planetarium facilities. Equally merly vice-president, Chicago Academy of the number of facilities topped the one­ important to the impact of Sputnik on the Sciences, for organizing Sputnik at 40: The thousand mark. Experimental analyses yield- public's understanding of science was the 1997 International Conference on the Public

8 Planetarian Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Understanding of Science and Technology, education: The importance of theories and t1ealOSlJtltg, Calif~: Nature~llranlh 1Y,,,"",~k~_n held October 3-6, 1997, at which an early their development. New York: Teachers Ravitch, Diane. 1983. The troubled r,-?",·",nn. draft of this paper was presented. College Press. American education, 1945-1980. New Friedman, Alan]. 1975. Participatory plane­ Basic Books. tarium shows. Planetarium director's hand­ Reed, George. 1970a. Is the v."un::llaIlet';l.ri­ Boehm, Charles H. 1963. Development of the Korey, Ruth Anne. 1963. Contributions of um lecture-demonstration and classr,oo]m planetariums to elementary education. earth and space science program in Penn­ lecture-demonstration) of tea.ching Ph.D. diss., Fordham University. """'.LU<::.L

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Plane tar ian tor of Indian River comrnumty ar I Hallstrom Planetarium in Fort Pierce, .. This program allows audiences to ( nd ther Gri I t I the wonder of the and 1998 IPS Eugenides Foundation Third Place Winner dren) have enviable imagination.

Jon U. Bell The script won 3rd IPS Eugenides Foundation Contest Hallstrom Planetarium will soon be included with aU of the Indian River Community College entries in the IPS bank curated 3209 Virginia Ave. Sampson. For about the show, con­ tact Jon at +1 (561) 462-4888 email JBELL@ Fort Pierce, Florida 34981 USA. ircc.cc.fl.us or mail to Hallstrom Planetarium, Indian River Community 3209 Bear Tales (and Other Grizzly Stories) from the creative mind of]on U. Bell who is ginia Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34981 USA. entered the 1998 Eugenides Script Contest an Assistant Astronomy Professor and Direc- -Alan

BEAR G: Grandpa Ben retired NASA engineer K: MomKay - research biologist B: DadBob -sky interpreter, musician J: oldest son Jim -aspiring troublemaker S: youngest daughter Skye - aspiring astronaut

VISUALS/EFFECTS SCRIPT sounds of crickets and crackling fire house lights on [THIS LAND], song by Woodie Guthrie) sidereal time: 9h 30m B: (singing) As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw house lights down to dim Above me an endless skyway, I saw below me a golden valley - ambient light This land was made for you and me. forest pan & campfire fx CHORUS:(everyone sings) This land is your land, stars on This land is my land, from California to the New York Island; From the redwood forests to the Gulf stream waters, This land was made for you and me! smoke curls up from campfire K: That was a great song - that takes me back to the sixties ... J: Hnmph - you mean the stone age ... B: Well, maybe the Rolling Stones age. G: Y'know, it sure is nice out here in the country. I want to thank you kids for comin' on this I've always liked it out here ... K: Oh, Dad, you know we enjoy camping out under the stars with you - and you're such a good story teller ... G: Hey, I ever tell you the one about Blackbeard the Pirate? J: Only about a zillion times ... ouch! K: We'd love to hear it, Daddy- Blackbeard profile EVERYONE: (imitating pirates) Arr! G: Okay, here goes. You all know Blackbeard the Pirate, the scourge of the Spanish Main. His real name xf to xy sailing ship was Edward Teach, and he did his wicked deeds all up and down the eastern coast of North America the early 1700's. Maynard profile Well sir, the gov'ment had finally had enough, and sent a naval vessel under the command of lieuten­ ant Robert Maynard out to capture Blackbeard. Maynard caught the pirate by surprise out near xfto battle Hatteras. After a fierce battle, Blackbeard was killed, and Lieutenant Maynard cut off his head measure. xf to head on spike EVERYONE: Eeuh!) Then the Lieutenant had the head set up on a tall spike, where it remained for some time. xf to head gone from spike head disappeared one night. No one knows who took it or why. J: (sarcastically) Ooh, scary! S: And that's the story? Blackbeard and devil G: Well, not quite. See, some people say that Blackbeard's body is still out there somewhere, for his head. Some say he needs it in order to deal with the devil, others that he wants the head so that Blackbeard and friends old shipmates will be able to recognize him. Nights like this, when there's a little breeze in the air, you

10 Planetarian Vol. can sometimes hear him trampin' through the woods, calling out, "Where's my head?" [rustling noise] ]: Hey, what was that?! B: Oh, just a raccoon or skunk, I expect. S: A skunk -eeuuuuh! G: Or Blackbeard come lookin' for his head - K: Stop that, Daddy! B: Now relax everybody, nothing's coming out of the woods, and the wildlife will us a clear path... S: What about bears? [owl hoots] photos of bears; S: There aren't any bears in these woods. Are there? J: Naah. add wolves, bison K: You're probably right, unfortunately. There used to be bears out here, years ago. But like wolves, and woodland bison, and mountain lions, the bears haven't been able to com­ pete with civilization. You'd have to travel way out into the wilderness to find any­ grizzl y bear maybe up in the mountains. J: Boy, I'd hate to meet up with a big 01' grizzly way out here! black bears K: Grizzly bears - no, they're not that common anymore, although you can still find them in Alaska, or the Rocky Mountains. Now Black Bears, that's more like it. They're a bit smaller than a grizzly, but they can still weigh as much as 600 pounds or more! more black bears (exclamations of "wow!", etc.) K: The black bears have been more successful in adapting to cities and people, but even so, their numbers have dwindled to only about 250,000 today. xf to bears in cave, baby bears S: Aren't they still habitatin'? K: No, honey, it's springtime now, so the bears should be out looking for food. And even in xf to stretching bear the winter, bears don't truly hibernate. They do try to stay inside the shelter of caves or fallen trees, and they do tend to sleep a lot, but a bear's body temperature only drops slightly, and it will sometimes come out for a little stretch ... but like I said, I don't think there are any more bears left here. The forest is greatly changed since the days before set­ tlers came to the land. G: It's been said that back in the old days, a squirrel could go from the east coast of North America all the way across to the MiSSissippi, without ever having to touch the ground, that's how many trees there were. pOinter as needed J: Guess that's impossible now. K: Oh, look kids, I see Orion, way over there, low in the sky! See the three Stars that form his belt? Orion outline J & S: Oh yeah! B: Better look now. You won't see him too much longer. He'll be setting in another hour. And when we get into summer, we won't be able to see him at all, unless we get up before sunrise. S: What's that bright star off to his left? G: That there, Skye, is what's called the dog star. J: Hey, has anybody seen Toby? S: He's prob'ly off chasin' after his star ... K: Oh dear, he has run off. We should have tied him to his leash - I hope he's ok. S: Why's it called the dog star? Canis Major and G: It's supposed to mark the nose of Canis Major, the Great Dog in the sky. There's a little Canis Minor outlines dog, too, Canis Minor, over here by the star Procyon. But their master Orion is setting now, and I 'spect the dogs will go foUowin' after him... J: What are those two stars over there? They look a lot alike. Gemini outline K: Oh, those are the twins, Castor and Pollux. They're the heads of Gemini - twin sons of Zeus, who the Romans used to honor when they swore, "by the Gemini", which is where our modem oath, "by Jimminy" comes from .0. B: No, no, that came from a Walt Disney movie about a little cricket ... (everyone groans) Big Dipper outline B: Now up over here in the north is a pretty easy star pattern -it's the Big Dipper. See -three stars form the handle, and four stars make up the bowl. S: Looks like a big shopping cart without the wheels. B: Hmm, never thought of it that way. Yeah, I guess maybe it does ... Anyway, the Big Dipper is a good thing to find because we can use it to discover a lot of other stars. For example, take the last two stars of the Big Dipper's bowl; connect them with a line; then stretch that line out the open end of the bowl - and it leads you to the North Star. J: Wait a minute. That can't be the North Star. It's not bright enough. B: Well, a lot of folk think that the North Star's the brightest star in the sky, but it really isn't -in fact it barely makes the top fifty list. J: Then why's it so important? B: It's special because out of all the stars in the sky, it's the only one that doesn't move. J: I don't see anyofthem moving ... B: Ah, that's because in order to see the stars move, you have to watch for a long time; their

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian Pole star diagram motion is very slow, caused by the earth's rotation. But the North Star is because it's right over the earth's north pole. The north pole always points in that same direction, like the on a spinning top. So the North Star's always in the north. Maybe by the time we climb into ing bags we'll come back to the North Star and see if anything's changed. the North Little Dipper Outline also at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; it's a faint group of stars, of people think; the North Star and the two stars at the end of its bowl show

Now if we take the line that we drew from the Big Dipper to the North Star - on (T{"lnlT_1ATA wind up over here, at a group of stars that looks like a letter "W". S: I think it looks like an "M". Cassiopeia outline B: Could be. Any way you look at it, it's still the constellation CaSSiopeia, the beautiful queen of Ethiopia. Now let's return to the Big Dipper's pointer stars, and this time let's go the other eventually bump up against a "question mark" pattern of stars here - it's the mane and the the Lion, a great springtime constellation. K: Ah, that's one of my favorites; I can almost see him up there, stalking the Gemini twins. There's Leo outline Regulus, the bright star that marks his heart. B: OK, let's go back to the Big Dipper. This time we'll use the handle to guide us to some other stars. If we trace a line along the bend of the handle, and think of it as part of a circle, or an arc, then we travel along the arc to this bright star here in the east, called Arcturus. And the we remember name of this star is by saying, "we arc to Arcturus"; and then if we continue arc, we Virgo outline on to Spica," in the constellation Virgo. J: Hmm. "Arc to Arcturus, and Speed on to Spica." Got it. K: Do you kids want to see an ice cream cone in the sky? S: Show me! Show me! J: All right! K: I thought so. This is one of those pOinted, sugar cones, the kind that likes - S: Oh boy! K: Arcturus is at the tip, so here's one side of the cone; here's the other side; here's the top of the here are the sides again ... ]: "Hey, yeah! I see it! S: I can see it too!" K: And over here's a scoop of ice cream that fell off the cone. Bootes & Northern Crown (exclamations -J: "oh, mom", S: "get real") outlines K: Well, these are really two other constellations - Bootes the and the Northern Crown, belonged to the beautiful princess, Ariadne. B: Hey, I've got an idea. Let's move away from the campfire, so we can seethe stars a little better. ]: But what about Blackbeard? S: And bears? Campfire pan down K: Lions, and Blackbeards, and bears, oh my! (kids and K repeat this verse twice) ambient light off - dark sky B: Cute. Anybody coming? (footsteps. crickets give way to small wind sounds. At various show, train whistles and dog barks can be heard.) G: Gorsh, it sure is purty, aU those stars! S: How many stars are there? ]: A lot. B: Hmm. Well that answer will do for the moment. K: There are so many stars up there that it's hard to find a lot of the constellations we saw. we can find the Big Dipper again. J: There it is! But there are a lot of other stars around it. Hey, and I can B: Yes, there's a whole lot of stars that we couldn't see before. Few people to see the '-'-'JLL"'~'-H''''~''JHJ this there're usually so many lights turned on at night that we can't a dark sky anymore. G: Ah, at last, I can see the bears. (kids - "Where!", followed by adults chuckling) K: I don't think your grandfather meant real bears. I think he was talking about bears in the G: Kay, you spoil all my fun. Yes, that's right. The Big and Little are also known as the Greater and Lesser Bears. G: The Big Bear's not too hard to see after you look at it a couple of times: the top of the dipper is the bear's back; way out here is the bear's head; down along here are stars that trace out the front all the way down to the paws; up here's the bear's stomach; here are the back and finally, the per's handle becomes the long, beautiful tail of the bear. Want to see it again? (uncertain]: "yeah", S: "ok" and]: "do it again") G: OK. The back .. the head .. the front legs .. the stomach, the back legs ... and the long tail. ]: Hey, wait a minute - bears don't have long tails! S: Yeah, they got little, short stubby tails. G: Well, these bears are a little different from earthly bears, and thereby a tail ... (everyone -groans, S: "Oh Granpa",J: "that was awful," etc.) K: Any way to stop him? B: Forget it. He's on a roll ... G: Now a long time ago, there were strange and powerful gods, according to the myths of ancient Mt.Olympus and most of them lived way up on a mountaintop - Mount Olympus, it was called - and chief among add Zeuss the gods was Zeus, who was the king of them all. Zeus was nearly except he in

12 Planetarian Vol. add Hera had to answer to his wife, Mrs. Hera Zeus, whom he managed to displease at least twenty or thirty times a day. xf to Zeuss arguing with Hera One afternoon he and Mrs. Zeus got into a big fight, and next thing you know old Zeus went storming xf to earth pan out of Mt. Olympus he'd decided to walk it off down on earth amongst mortal men. Only it wasn't xf to Callisto mortal man he crone across, but mortal woman. Her name was Callisto, and she was the most beauti­ ful thing Zeus had seen for quite some time. Anyway, he lost his head and asked her out for a date, and the next thing you know they'd settled down and gotten married, and pretty soon they had a hand­ Zeuss & Callisto some young son named Arcus. add Arcus Course, the only thing wrong with this happy family life was that old Zeus had forgotten that he was angry Hera already married, and the first Mrs. Zeus was absolutely furious! She caught up with the second Mrs. Hera & Callisto Zeus out in the woods one day, and after a little bit of name calling and such, Hera let loose and turned xf to Hem tums Callisto into poor Callisto into a grizzly bear - bear S: How could that happen, Granpa? Nobody can really get turned into a bear, can they? G: Well, honey, this is just a story that was told a long, long time ago, S: (brightly) Oh, just "pertend," huh? Callisto bear G: Yes, Sky, that's right. Anyway, here was Callisto, suddenly turned into a bear, and thinking like a bear, xf to puzzled Zeus she runs off deeper into the forest, Zeus looked for her for a real long time, but he couldn't find her. Hera had had her revenge. Arcus Well, a lot of years pass, and one day a brave and handsome young man is hunting in those very same xf to Arcus & bear woods, when all of a sudden, out from the bushes shambles a large and shaggy bear! It was Callisto, of xf to Arcus aiming arrow course. No sooner does the young man see her, when he pulls out an arrow and fits it to his bow. He xf to Arcus & bear claws draws a bead on the bear, and is all ready to shoot her, when, to his horror, he discovers his hands turn­ xf to Arcus into bear ing into claws! He drops his bow and arrow, and then he falls to the ground himself, growling all the time. J: It was her son, wasn't it? G: Yep, it was Arcus all right. J: How come he was turning into a bear like his mom? xf to Zeus looking on in pre­ G: Well, as luck would have it, old Zeus had finally caught up with Callisto, just as Arcus was about to kill vious scene her. He couldn 't change Callisto back into a woman again, but he could stop Arcus from making a big mis­ xf to Zeus turning Arcus into take, by turning him into a bear as well. bear So the immediate danger was over; mother and son were reunited as bears. But Hera was still a threat, xf to mother and son bears so Zeus decided he'd better hide the bears, or at least put them some place where she couldn't get at them. After he thought about it a while, Zeus figured out that the sky was the best place to put them - Hera could neverreach them way up there! Now the problem was, how was he going to pick them up? They weren't thinking like people any­ more, and if he wasn't careful, they'd be likely to take a few pieces out of him before he could get them safely up into the heavens. He couldn't pick them up by their ears, could he?(chorus of No! They'd bite him!) pointer as needed G: Well, how about picking them up by their paws? (chorus of No! They'd scratch him!) G: So where do you grab a bear? Zeus studied the problem from all ends, until the answer finally hit him - in the end, of course. (laughter, "oh no!") Zeus picking up Callisto G: Zeus went behind Callisto, and picked her up by her little short, stubby bear tail. Then he swung her over his shoulders, faster and faster, until she was spinning so fast she became a blur - that's when he xf to Zeus spinning Callisto let go! Callisto quickly reached escape velocity (about 7 miles a second by the way), and she sailed off into space and became a constellation! xf to Ursa Major outline Then he went around to Arcus and picked him up by his little stubby tail, and spun him around until he too was launched up into the sky! xf to Zeus picking up Arcus And that's why there are two bears up in the northern sky tonight - Callisto, the big bear, or Ursa Major as the Romans would have called her; and Arcus, the little bear, or Ursa Minor. add Ursa Minor outline to S: So how come they got long tails granpa? Ursa Major outline G: Oh, well that's the easy part. Both these bears were pretty heavy, and Zeus had to use a lot of strength to lift them up off the earth. So when he picked them up by their tails, he stretched them out, and that's why these bears have such long tails, even to this day. K: Oh daddy! That was terrible! G: Kinda unbearable, huh.'? (more groans) B: You should be embearrassed to tell that tal&. G: Trying to beary me in puns, eh? Well bear wi th me - it gets much grizzlier from here on out. (more groans) J: SO where's Blackbeard's head? B: Not up there, I'm afraid. Hey, would you kids like to see a dragon? J: Yeah, dinosaurs with heartburn! B: (a' la W.e. Fields) Then look no farther for you've come to the right place, m'boy! Look north again. pointer as needed Now, winding between the two dippers in the sky is a long faint line of stars they start way over here, midway between the bowls of the dippers; then wrap around the Little Dipper; then down again, and finally end up here: a few bright stars that form the head of Draco the Dragon. Draco was thrown into the sky by Zeus' daughter Athena, the goddess of wisdom, following a big fight

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 13 between the gods of Olympus and the Titans. Draco outline s: Did she stretch out his tail too? J: Dragons come that way. S: Oh. I knew that. J: You still haven't told us how many stars there are. B: Well, right now we can see a couple of thousand stars. That's not too bad, conslldermlg that be able to see a hundred or so if we were still in the city. J: But that isn't what you were getting at, was it? You meant something else when you said there other stars we couldn't see. B: Hmm. Let me see if I can tell this right. There's a great old poem by Robert Frost, called liThe Star Splitter." And it's all about a man who burned his house down for the fire insurance so he could a telescope. Many people had heard him say "The best thing that we're put here for's to see; 19th century brass telescope The strongest thing that's given us to see with a telescope." "Often he bid me - come and have a look slow diurnal motion (+) Up the brass barrel, velvet black inside, At a star quaking in the other end. That telescope was christened the Star-Splitter, Because it didn't do a thing but split A star in two or three... We've looked and looked, but after all where are we? Do we know any better where we are?" So what did Frost mean when he called the telescope a star splitter? There's a stop diurnal motion now in the eastern sky that will help demonstrate this. Look over here, at the constellation sid: time == 11:00 hrs. Harp, marked by the bright star Vega. Nearby Vega is another bright star, called many stars do you see here? Lyra outline S: I see one! pointer as needed B: Ok, now let's look at that star with binoculars. Now how many stars are there? S: Two! B: Now let's go over to the telescope that we set up earlier and look at Now how stars? double star in binocular ]: Four! sights B: So why couldn't you see those stars before? ]: They were too dim. xf to 4 stars in telescope field B: Yes. And they were too close together. The telescope separated them for us. So what do tel!~soop(~S of view ocular binoculars do? J: They magnify? B: Well, yes, telescopes and binoculars do magnify, but that's just a byproduct. What make things brighter and sharper. So things that were invisible before can be seen, and where just one star, there are now two or more. J: But how many stars are there altogether? B: Well, a couple hundred years ago, another man asked just that same quest:iol:1. His name was \1\f1"",rn Herschel. But he wasn't content just to ask - he really wanted to 50 Herschel decided the stars in the sky! William Herschel (all kids say Wow!, Holy Cow!, etc.) B: Actually, he didn't count them one by one; he made scans of various parts of the and then scan outlines those scans to estimate how many stars were there in all. 5: What's es-ti-mate? ]: It means guess. B: It's a bit more scientific than that, but that's the basic idea. What Herschel found was that the stars weren't evenly spread around, but instead seemed to be bunched in a broad band across the sky, that happens to match up with the Milky Way ... xf to Herschel's observational K: Where is the Milky Way? sketches B: This isn't the best time to see it, in the springtime, but you can see a little of it; it's that faint of light over there. J: Oh, I thought those were just clouds. pointer B: In a sense, they are clouds, but not of this earth. You're looking at clouds of stars trillions of miles away. Anyway, what Herschel found was that there are more stars nearthe Way, '-"1-''-'-" ...... stars. This made him think that there was a definite organization of stars he Milky Way detail that our planet was orbiting a star, the sun, that was just one of billions. S: So how many stars are there? rotating galaxy effect, with B: Herschel counted nearly six million stars in the Milky Way Galaxy before he was satisfied. Of Course slow diurnal roll (+) we've counted a few more since then, and we're pretty sure that there may be as many as 200 billion stars! s: That's a lot! diurnal motion off B: But that's only the beginning! Because beyond our star city, The Milky there are sid. time = 14:00 hrs. ]: There are? pointer B: Wait a minute. There's another constellation up there that will help me explain this better. Look here at this faint group of stars beneath the handle of the Big Dipper. J: Oh you mean the ones that sort of look like a letter Y?

14 Planetarian Vol. S: It looks like a wishbone to me! K: I think it looks like the Eiffel Tower! G: Yes, it was placed up there in the sky to commemorate the building of the Eiffel Tower in France. If you look carefully, you can see Mrs. Eiffel waving from the top ... S: What is it really? B: Well, the truth is actuall y a little stranger than that. You see, this group of stars is known as Coma Berenices. (kids go Huh?) B: Well, that's the Latin name. We call it Bernice's Hair.(kids go Huh?) B: You know, the thing I like about this constellation story is that, unlike the other ones we've been talk­ ing about tonight, this one is actually true and really happened. You see, a long time ago, nearly three thousand years ago, in fact, there really was a woman named Bernice profile Bernice who lived in Egypt. She was married to a man named Euergetes ... J: A yur-ge what? add Ptolemy B: Well, let's call him Ptolemy - that was his title. Anyway, he fought a lot of battles and Bernice was always worried about him. There was one really big war coming up, and Bernice was afraid that Ptolemy would be killed. So she made a promise. She vowed that if her husband came back safe and sound, she would cut off her beau­ tifullong brown hair and offer it as a sacrifice to the gods. victorious Ptolemy Now Ptolemy came back from the battle, and he was fine -in fact he'd won! So true to her word, add Bernice at barber's Bernice cut off her hair and placed it on the altar in the temple. xf to Bernice at gate & She met her husband at the city gate, and he said, "Bernice, what have you done to your hair!" - She'd surprised Ptolemy gotten it permed. Well, she told him about her promise, and he said "ok, makes sense to me. "So they went to the temple to look at the sacrifice, but during the night, someone had broken into the temple and stolen the hair! empty altar J: Go figure. B: Yes, it was a classic case of 'hair today and gone tomorrow ... ' (groans) Ptolemy dragging priests out­ B: Anyway, Ptolemy got real mad! He took all the priests out into the courtyard and was going to execute side them right there on the spot. But just then it started to turn dark again. And one of the priests, who happened to be very smart and xf to pointing priest very clever, pointed to this part of the sky, and said, "Look, Ptolemy - the gods have accepted your pointer wife's sacrifice and placed it up in the heavens to commemorate the occasion!" J: And Ptolemy bought it? B·, Hook, line and sinker! He didn't know the constellations, and didn't realize that the priest had made up that star pattern right there on the spot. And so from that time on, this part of the sky has been known Coma Bernices outline as Bernice's Hair. G: Quite a hair-raising story. (groans) K: And now I guess you could say it's become a "permanent" constellation in our sky ... binocular view of Coma (more groans) Berenices star cluster J: SO what does this have to do with galaxies? B: Oh. I'd nearly forgot. And this is really the neatest part of the story. Aim your binoculars at Bernice's Hair. B: What do you see? J: Lots of stars. .8: Yes, this is what we call a star cluster. There are a lot of open clusters like this in our galaxy. xf to Coma Berenices Now what you can't see lies beyond Bernice's Hair; beyond our Milky Way in fact. You'd need a pretty galaxy cluster good-sized telescope to find them, but further out, there is another kind of cluster; instead of a cluster of stars, it's a cluster of galaxies - more than a thousand of them, nearly 400 million light years away. xf to allsky galaxies And beyond that, in all directions, there are literally billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars ... J: Makes me want to go inside and turh on all the lights. pointer as needed K: Maybe we should turn in for the night. Look how late it's gotten! You can't see Orion anymore, or Sirius, or Gemini! Leo the Lion was at the top of the sky when we started looking at the stars, but now he's drifted way over to the west. And meanwhile, if we turn around to the east, we'll see that there are three bright new stars that have suddenly appeared: we call these three stars the summer triangle. ]: Hey, I see what you mean about the North Star. Look, it's still in the same place! See, the Big Dipper has moved, and everything else, but the North Star is still in the same spot in the north. K: Yes, Jimmy, while we were out here looking up at the sky, the earth was turning under our feet, caus­ ing all the stars to shift their places. All except the North Star, which is almost directly above the slow fadeup of campsite pan earth's north pole, so we never see it move. Now, let's move on back to the campfire. with ambient light (sound of crunching footsteps, then a rustling noise) J: Hey, what's that over there in the bushes? S: I dunno, but it's awfully big! (sounds of a menacing animal growl) K: And noisy! add bear into dog series, or J: Whatever it is, it's coming this way! "bear rotates into dog" (more scuffling in bushes noises, followed by more growling, panting, and barking) brute force shadow projector J: "Hey, wait a minute - that isn't a big 01' bear, that's just my dog Toby!" (dog barks) J: Good boy. Catch any bears? (more barking) S: Eeuuhh - I think he caught a skunk!

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 15 (everybody sounds disgusted) K: Well, James Edward, Now you have a project for tomorrow -clean the dog! S: We'll help you, Jimmy ... B: Hey, let's close this campfire out with a song! I ever tell you 'bout your grandfather's brother Walter? J: Oh yeah, Uncle Walter! S: And his dancing bears! K: Oh, the children love that song, Bob. Let's sing it! B: Why not! And we'll even post the words on this tree over here just so's anyone who wanders in unex- pectedly can join in on the chorus. (K and company sing Waltzing With Bears, by Robert Force & Al D'Osche; original words by Theodore Geisel -"Dr. Seuss") Uncle Walter & bears K: My Uncle Walter goes waltzing with bears; It's a most unbearable state of affairs; Walter on back stairs Every Saturday night he creeps down the back stairs Sneaks out of the house and goes waltzing with bears! "posted" sign on tree CHORUS: He goes wa-wa-wa-wa-wa, waltzing with bears, Walter dancing with bears Raggy bears, baggy bears, shaggy bears too, And there's nothing on earth Uncle Walter won't do, So he can go waltzing, a wa-wa-wa waltzing, So he can go waltzing, a waltzing with bears! nephew at light switch I went to his room in the middle of the night, I tiptoed inside and I turned on the light, empty room But to my despair he was nowhere in sight, 'Cause my Uncle Walter goes waltzing at night! dancing Walter CHORUS Walter and coat I bought Uncle Walter a new coat to wear, xf to hairy coat But when he comes in it's all covered with hair, xf to shredded coat And lately I've noticed there's several new tears, I'm sure Uncle Waiter's been waltzing with bears! CHORUS family scolding Walter We asked Uncle Walter, "Why won't you be good? And do all the things that we say that you should? Walter looking toward forest We know that you'd rather be out in the woods, We're afraid that we'll lose you, we'll lose you for good!" We begged and we pleaded, "Oh please won't you stay?" Walter sitting down And managed to keep him home for a day, Bears invading house But the bears all barged in and they took us away, dancing family Now we're dancing with pandas, and we don't understand 'em, But the bears all demand at least one dance a day! CHORUS (Now WE'RE wa-wa, etc.) (conversation during instrumental lick): S: Mama, we shouldn't really dance with bears, should we? K: No, honey, that would be very dangerous. S: Mama, we don't really have an Uncle Walter, do we? J: Not anymore -ouch! G: Let's do that chorus one more time! (all sing CHORUS again) dancing bears animation K: And now our pajamas are covered - with hair! series (last note is punctuated by a dog howl)

"Waltzing With Bears" musi­ cal reprise and show credits as house lights come up ...

THE END

16 Planetarian Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 fession, so send them, along with a release form, to me, Steve Tidey, c/o Alexander Brest IPS Eugenid s Foundation Planetarium, 1025 Museum Circle, Jackson­ Script Writi ntest ville, Florida, 32207, USA. Steve Tidey IPS. ""'0..1...... UlI'''-_JII Astronomy Educator Alexander Brest Planetarium 1025 Museum Circle Jacksonville, Florida, 32207 LGeneral A. In recognition of individual excellence in After a break of two years, the Interna­ Bozeman, Montana, won first prize. That public planetarium show the tional Planetarium Society is pleased to script bore his usual hallmarks of high quali­ SOciety shall hold a continuous biennial announce the return of its script writing ty, and so I encourage everybody to aspire to contest sponsored by the Eugenides Foun­ competition, sponsored by the gracious sup­ those heights. Please take the time to go back dation, Athens, Greece, under the category port of the Eugenides Foundation in Athens, and read his script and list all its strong of Most Creative Public Show Greece. Scripts can be submitted between pOints. I'm not asking you to duplicate it, just B. Any currently enrolled IPS member may July 1 and December 31, 2001, and awards for realize what made it a winner. participate, by following the rules and the winners will be presented at the IPS con­ In a GLP A Tips booklet that I edited on procedures listed below. ference in Mexico in July, 2002. But don't script writing, Jim wrote that for him one of C. Winners shall be recognized in Planetarian worry, if you are a winner you will not need the joys of writing shows is the chance to and at the IPS conference, where to be present to accept an award. The compe­ communicate his love of the stars to others. shall be awarded a certificate indicating tition is open to all IPS members. We are all communicators with a genuine their selection. The IPS has appointed me Coordinator for love of and commitment to our work and D. The SOciety retains the right to the competition, succeeding Alan Daven­ subject matter, so writing a script is (or copies of any and or all entries in the IPS port, who put in sterling work when he held should be) a natural extension of our regular journal, Planetarian, and/or include any the post the last time the competition was duties. I'm reaching out here to ask for sub­ and all scripts in an archive of scripts for held in 1997. Thank you, Alan, for your cus­ missions from people who perhaps would the benefit of all Society members. tomary good work. not otherwise send one in. If you think you One of my first pleasant duties was to don't stand much chance because you per­ II. Contest Rules and Procedures appoint three judges. I was keen for the panel ceive the competition to be too strong, make A. Any IPS member (individual or institu­ to have an international flavor, and so I'm that negative a positive force to sit down tional) may submit, per contest, one entry pleased to welcome back one judge from the and write, anyway, and push your entry to which was completed within the past panel for the last competition, and welcome greater heights. If you don't land one of the three years. onboard two newcomers. The returning winning prizes, OK, but perhaps you will dis­ B. Entries consisting of or containing judge is Marc Moutin of the Cite de L'Espace cover (or re-discover) a love for writing ously submitted scripts, or material Planetarium in Toulouse, France. He will be shows, which will benefit your dome in the lished elsewhere, will be disqualified. joined by April Whitt of the Fernbank longrun. C. Each contestant shall submit six copies of Science Center in Atlanta and my compatri­ The IPS Council have worked hard to each entry to the contest Coordinator: one ot, Alex Barnett, of the Millennium Planetar­ bring back this competition, so please copy for the Eugenides Foundation's files, ium at England's new National Space Science reward their efforts with high quality one copy for the IPS files, and one copy for Centre. These fine people will evaluate all entries. A key to achieving that is to read each of the three referees, plus the Coordi­ entries based on the revised rules below. carefully the competition rules. Once you've nator. A single electronic document may The general category under which submis­ finished your script, read the rules again and be substituted for the hard copies, and is sions will be judged is Most Creative Public check that you've abided by them. If you're recommended, provided the format fol­ Show Script. The two best scripts will be not Haile Selassi delighted with it, amend lows all guidelines established by the selected to share the prize money, which what needs changing. You'll be doing your­ Coordinator in the current request for sub­ totals $1,000. The first prize winner will self and the judges a huge favor by making missions. NOTE: A hard copy of the release receive a US check for $700. The runner up the script as good as it can be. form, as described below, must accompa­ will receive $300. I'd like to give you two other tips, for ny electronic submissions. The IPS can only accept scripts that have everybody's sake. First, if you can't sum up D. The contest Coordinator shall choose, not been entered in a previous competition, your script's purpose and objectives in 25 from the list of IPS Fellows, three inclepen­ and have been unpublished elsewhere. Please words or less, you're tackling too big a topic. dent referees to consider each coded entry, ensure that you enclose a signed copy of the Narrow the focus. Secondly, to stay focused based on a set of general and specific crite­ release form given below, which assigns the on your subject, after each paragraph ask ria listed below. The names and institu­ script to the IPS. This will allow the Society yourself, "Is the sCript sticking to the basic tions of the authors will be kept anony­ to publish the scripts in the Planetarian and theme? mous from the referees, until all final deci­ add them to the IPS Script Bank. I shall be delighted to receive entries sions have been made and announced. When this competition last ran, in 1997, reflecting the skills that we all know are E. The opinions of the three referees shall be Jim Manning of the Taylor Planetarium in plentiful in the worldwide planetarium pro-

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian ASSIGNMENT AND RELEASE

IPS EUGENIDES SCRIPT CONTEST ENTRY FORM

(Complete one form per script. Enclose with each script by the deadline Dec. 31, 2001.)

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 plan­ etarium 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 com­ mittee 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 contrary to any copyright registration or other registration relating to copyright pro­ tection with respect to the script; that this assignment and release is not in conflict with any other agreement executed by the undersigned, and that the undersigned will, to the extent reasonably necessary, execute such further assurances of title as may be nec­ essary 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: ______(City, State)

WITNESS: (Signature)

PRINT NAME: Title:

18 Planetarian Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 quantified and averaged by the Coordi­ III. Evaluative Criteria 5. The continuity of ideas is nator, who shall then make recommenda­ A. The Referees will evaluate each script by readil y a pparen t. tions to the Council, submitting along the assigning each of the 20 criteria, listed 6. Opening, and interrne- referees' opinions. below, a numeric value as follows: diate "scenes II are used to ...... ,,,,,,,,£10 F. Entries are to be submitted between July 1 1. Five (5) for superior (or strongly agree) structure to the content. and December 31 of the non-conference 2. Four (4) for above average (or agree) b) Entertainment (odd-numbered) years. Winners of that 3. Three (3) for average (or neutral) 1. Program features an ~t-t-,"'n1-u"''''_

other officers and committee members have North Dakota. Generally Jim liked the pro­ done. I'm sure we owe them thanks as well, duction, but he did have a "quibble" con­ but Dale went above and beyond the call of cerning the use of an eclipse of the sun to To the Editor, duty. The only other person I know who determine longitude. Once the error was Often times, when a president leaves even approaches Dale is John Mosley (there pointed out to me, I realized that I knew bet­ office, one of his/her last duties is to thank may well be others, but I have no personal ter. the people who have served with and on knowledge of the amount of work they have It was easy to change the tape so committees for that president. I would like invested). So the next time you see Dale, talk that it is correct and to change three slides to to change that approach. I serve on one little to him, thank him. Now he may actually accompany the tape change. Everyone who task force (Le. I serve only until the job is have time to talk back. had purchased the program before the error done) that was set up by President Kraupe Thank you Dale! was discovered has received the reJ)la<:entleIlt and re-appointed by President Smith. During Gary Tomlinson tape and the three new slides. New orders this time, I have worked closely with Dale Grand Rapids, Michigan will receive the revised material. Smith. I have seen him, at his own expense, My email address was given incorrectly in travel the globe on behalf of IPS, spend I would like to heartily endorse Gary's kudos to the column - there should be an underline countless hours proofing material, being an Dale for a job superbly well done as president of between my first and last name. See the cor­ ambassador of good will, organizing tasks the IPS. Dale brought a tremendous amount of rect address below. and committees and, in general, making sure energy to the organization, and he leaves us The music behind the "Navigating with IPS' work got done until the wee hours of the much the better off. -Ed Lewis and Clark" is spectacular. Keith Bear, morning and on only a few hours of sleep. the flutist on the sound track, was nominat­ All this while, he held another post in a plan­ Fellow Planetarians: ed for a Grammy this year. etarium regional that also took a fair amount In the December 2000 issue of the Sincerely, of time. He handled both admirably. Planetarian, Jim Manning, in his "What's Eileen Starr So, it is not Dale Smith who owes anybody New" column, reviewed "Navigating with Valley City State any thanks, it is the members of IPS who Lewis and Clark." This half-hour planetari­ VaHey City, NO 58072 owe Dr. Smith their utmost admiration and um production was written and produced 701-845-7522 sincere thanks. I cannot speak to what the by me for Valley City State University in

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian • objects do .... The whole n mle I things we see there are str their entrances and exits, take their and return for repeat perto'rrrlarlces. Steve Krupp, Beyond The Blue Horizon Astronomy "- ...... "Y ou can pick a star from step and call it anything you like - 1025 Museum Circle Sky & Telescope, August 2000 28)

Jacksonvi "I don't take any notice of the physics; so inconvenient. Picture the scene. You're either writing a "Damn the solar system. Bad light, planets Trek: The Next Generation script for a planetarium show, or you're in too distant, pestered with comets. I could the middle of presenting a show. You come make a better one myself." Lord Jeffrey. "If it's green and wiggles, it's n"","',ffH to that moment when you say to yourself, Quoted by John Barrow, The Artful Universe stinks, it's If it doesn't work, it's "What I need right now is a nice little quote (p.34) physics." Source unknown that perfectly sums up [insert subject under discussionl." "The eternal silence of these infinite spaces "Now, there is one outstandingly ImpOl~ta]1t With this predicament in mind, I present [the heavensl terrifies me./1 Blaise Pascal, fact regarding Spaceship Earth, and is below over 100 astronomically-orientated Pensees that no instruction book carne with 1/ R. quotes that I've gathered from a variety of Buckminster Fuller, Operating Manual For sources. Have fun with them. "How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, Spaceship Earth when it is clearly Ocean." Attributed to Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Nature, 1990 "In all the history of mankind, there will only be one generation that will be the first "Astronomy teaches the correct use of the "In the night sky when the air is clear, there to explore the solar system, one ge11er'ation sun and planets." Literary Lapses, A Manual is a cosmic Rorschach test awaiting us." Carl for which, in childhood, the

O(Education (p. 67) Sagan, The Cosmic Connection (p. 9) tant and indistinct discs moving LAHVU,;;;'U night sky and for which, in old age, "The history of astronomy is the history of "I can personally attest that fecal and urine ets are places, diverse new worlds receding horizons." Edwin Hubble. Quoted spills can break the monotony of even the course of exploration." Carl by D. W. Sciama, The Unity O( The Universe dullest days in space." William Pogue, How mic Connection (p. 69) (p.74) Do You Go To The Bathroom In Space?(p. 53) "I now know how Lewis and "TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation to "Y ou seen one Earth, you've seen them all./1 have felt when they eye similar to that of the telephone to Harrison Schmidt, walking on the Moon dur­ West. It's fantastic!" Gerald Soffen, the ear, enabling distant objects to plague us ing Apollo 17. Quoted by Gene Cernan, Last Project Scientist, at a press confer- with a multitude of needless details. Luckily, Man On The Moon (p. 324) ence,June 23, 1976 it is unprovided with a bell summoning us to the sacrifice." Ambrose Bierce, The Enlarged "There was a young lady named "No matter how often you on Devil's Dictionary. Whose speed was far faster than light nature's door, she won't answer in words you She set out one day can understand. She'll vibrate and moan like "As a pale phantom with a lamp In a relative way a violin, but you musn't expect a song." Ivan Ascends some ruin's haunted stair And returned home the previous night." Tugenev, Fathers And Sons So glides the moon along the damp Relativity, England's Punch magazine, Mysterious chamber of the air." December 19, 1923 (p. 591) "... torrent of light and river of the air Henry Longfellow, Moonlight Along whose bed the glimmering stars are "Who cares about the half a second after the seen "OBSERVATORY, n. A place where astron­ Big Bang? What about the half a second Like gold and silver sands in some ravine ... omers conjecture away the guesses of their before?" Fay Weldon. Quoted by Paul Davies, Longfellow, describing the predecessors." Ambrose Bierce, The Enlarged About Time(p.19) Way." The Galaxy. Quoted by Robert Burn­ Devil's Dictionary ham Jr., Burnham's Celestial Handbook "Black holes are the bungholes of space." 1631) "The night has a thousand eyes Beavis And ButheadTV show. And the day but one ... " "Von Braun himself had that the F.W. Bourdillon, Light "Your theory is crazy - but not crazy enough first US astronauts to reach the Moon to be true." Quoted by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, have to pass through Russian customs. For "Had I been present at the Creation, I would The Lost Worlds 0(2001 (Chapter 30) the first decade of its history, the nrii .... r·inll'" have given some useful hints for the better job of NASA was to ensure that American ordering of the universe." Attributed to liThe sky speaks in celestial objects; the Sun, space travelers would not Alfonso "The Wise" of Castille (1221-84) the Moon, the planets and the stars are its Tom Crouch, Aiming For The Stars vocabulary. The sky's grammar is what these

20 Planetarian Vol. "Polaris is like some politicians - famous but 429) a knowledge of the stars leads the not too bright." Planetarian, Ed Frederick, atom, and important knowledge of atom Alden Omnisphere, New England Science "I am a detecti ve in search of a criminal - the has been reached through the stars." Center cosmological constant. I know he exists, but Arthur Eddington, Stars And Atoms I do not know his appearance." Sir Arthur "Newton saw an apple fall and discovered Eddington, quoted by Paul Davies, About "Basic research is what I'm when I the Laws of Gravity. Eve made an apple fall Time(p.146) don't know what I'm doing." Wernher Von and discovered the Gravity of Law." Alex­ Braun, quoted by R.L. Weber, A Random ander King, I Should Have Kissed Her More (p. "There is something fascinating about sci­ Walk In Science 5I) ence. One gets such wholesale returns of con­ jecture out of such a trifling investment of "He wrested the world's whereabouts from "Infinity is where things happen that don't." fact." Mark Twain, Life On The Mississippi the stars and locked the secret in a Quoted by W.W. Sawyer, Prelude To Mathe­ watch." Dava Sobel, describing John Harri­ matics (p. 143) "Science," Ann Druyan notes, is forever whis­ son's solving of the longitude pering in our ears, "Remember, you're very Longitude (p. 176) "Many a night I saw the Pleiades, rising new at this. You might be mistaken. You've

through the mellow shade, glitter like a been wrong before. III Carl Sagan, The Demon­ "I think there should be a law of Nature to swarm of fireflies tangled in a silver braid." Haunted World (p.37) prevent a star from behaving in this absurd Alfred Lord Tennyson, Locksley Hall way." Sir Arthur Eddington, commenting on "[Comet] apparitions are dangerous because black holes. Observatory 58, Relativistic De­ "Nature, apparently, can make a gorgeous people make them so. Comets kill people by generacy (p. 37) hexagon [in a beehive] but she cannot (or did self-fulfilling superstitions, when those who not deign to) make a year with a nice even read them as telegrams from the gods or the "The sun's rim dips, number of days or lunations." Stephen Jay Devil turn in panic to homicide or suicide." the stars rush out Gould, Questioning The Millenium (p. 137) Nigel Calder, The Comet Is Coming (p. 12) At one stride comes the dark." Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime the "Nature and Nature's laws "The comet was so called because it had hair Ancient Mariner lay hid in the night. on it, I believe, but in late years the bald­ God said, 'Let Newton be!' headed comet is giving just as good satisfac­ "You may think it's a long way down to the And all was light." tion everywhere." Bill Nye, Remarks, Skim­ chemist [drug store], but that's peanuts to Alexander Pope, Epitaph Intended For Isaac ming the Milky Way (p. 125) space." Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Newton Guide To The Galaxy "An expert is someone who knows some of "I once built a solar system [in Earth orbit] the worst mistakes that can be made in his "Einstein had a little theory using a blob of orange juice as the sun, and profession, and who manages to avoid It had something to do with relativity M&Ms as the planets." Space shuttle astro­ them./I Wernher Heisenberg, Det Teil und das Well, Einstein put that theory to the test naut Mike Mullane, Do Your Ears Pop In Ganze That's why he looks confused, Space? (p.126) and his hair's a mess." "If I have seen further, it is by standing on ye The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet "Discovery consists of seeing what every­ shoulders of Giants." Sir Isaac Newton, From body else has seen, and thinking what a letter written to Robert Hooke in 1675 liThe sky is a canvas on which is drawn the nobody has thought." Albert von Szent­ loveliest art." James Kaler, The Ever-Changing Gyorgi, Quoted by Irving Good, The Scientist "Mortals, rejoice that there existed so great Sky Speculates an ornament of the human race!" Part of the epitaph on Sir Isaac Newton's tomb in West­ "To mistrust science and deny the validity of "I find, in discussions with first graders and minster Abbey, London. the scientific method is to resign your job as hippie communities, congressmen and cab a human. You'd better go look for work as a drivers, that there is an enormous, untapped "The stage of the sky presents a free show. It plant or wild animal." P.]. O'Rourke, Parli­ reservoir of in terest and exci temen t in will amaze, entertain, amuse and intrigue for amentOfWhores things astronomical." Carl Sagan, The Cosmic a lifetime." James Kaler, The Ever-Changing Connection (p. 75) Sky "Not explaining science seems to me per­ verse. When you're in love you want to tell "Of all the meteors in the sky "His knees should bend and his neck should the world." Carl Sagan, Washington Post (Jan­ There's none like Comet Halley curl his back should twist and his face uary 9, 1994) We see it with the naked eye should scowl One eye should squint and the And periodically." other protrude And this should be his cus­ "Einstein said that if quantum mechanics is H.H. Turner, The Mathematical Gazette, tomary attitude." Harlow Shapely and Wins­ right, then the world is crazy. Well, Einstein Volume VI, Number 91, 1911 (p. 53) low Upton, describing a typical astronomer was right. The world is crazy." Daniel Green­ Popular Astronomy, Harvard Observatory berger, quoted by Paul Davies, About Time "Arithematic and geometry, those wings on Pinafore Volume 38, Number 3, March 1930 (p.l63) which the astronomer soars as high as heav­ (p.125) en." Robert Boyle, Works, Usefulness OfMath­ liThe distinction between past, present and ematics To Natural Philosophy, Volume 3 (p. "I ask you to look both ways. For the road to future is only an illusion, however persis-

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian tent./I Albert Einstein, From a letter to Science (p.2lO) Michaelangelo Besso, March 21, 1955 "Light brings us the news of the Universe." "The beauty of the Earth from orbit is some­ Sir William Bragg, The Universe OfLight(p.1) thing difficult to capture in words, but the "I may not understand soul has no difficulty in celebrating the ex­ "I would rather believe in ghosts than in important to me./I Ian Stewart perience. It's your wedding night, your chil­ hyperbolic meteors." Sir Arthur Eddington, Dice?(p.121) dren's births, your first Little League home quoted by David Levy, The Man Who Sold run and every childhood Christmas rolled The Milky Way(p. 8) into one." Mike Mullane, Do Your Ears Pop In Space?(p.140) "No point is more central than this, that empty space is not empty. It is the seat of the "Lost somewhere between immensity and most violent physics." John Wheeler. Quoted eternity is our tiny planetary home./I Carl by Heinz Pagels, The Cosmic Code (p. 274) "The universe is Sagan, Cosmos (p. 4) mind - a pretty uncomtorta "I have a horror of sunsets. They are so ro­ you've just put a down "Before I went to the Moon, I was a rotten mantic, so operatic." Marcel Proust, Cities Of Woody Allen, Getting Even s.o.b. Now I'm just an s.o.b." Alan Sheppard The Plain liThe universe is simmering "[Astronomer] The only nightwatchman "Pity the poor neutron giant stew left to cook for four who doesn't sleep on the job." Evan Esar, He thought he was a proton Sooner or later we won't be able Esar's Comic Dictionary But he wasn't positive." carrots from the onions." Arthur The Physics Teacher, Volume 22, Number 5, ed by John Barrow, The World "Energy = milk chocolate square./I Source May 5, 1984 (p. 301) World (p. 221). unknown "In physics you don't have to go round mak­ liThe center of the universe "... perusing the Great Volume of the Author ing trouble for yourself - Nature does it for and the circumference of Nature ... " William Herschel, on viewing you." Frank Wilczek, Longing For The Har­ Bruno, the night sky, in a letter to a friend, Dr. Hut­ monies (p.208) 84) ton, in 1781 "Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's "The universe: a device devised for "We see what we want to see, and observa­ drive away if your car could go straight up." astonishment of astronomE:rs. tion conforms to hypothesis." Bergen Evans, Fred Hoyle, England's Observer newspaper, Arthur C. Clarke, The Natural History Of Nonsense, A Tale Of September 9, 1979 over, A Tub "Space tells mater how to move, and matter "Just because you know a thing is true in the­ tells space how to curve." Gravitation (p. 23) ory, does not mean that it is true in fact." Harry Harrison, Deathworld, Book One (p.l53) "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Lord Darlington, in "When Einstein went to Mount Wilson and Oscar Wilde's play Lady Windermere's Fan, posed for photographs at the 100-inch tele­ Act Three mir, Quark scope, Hubble gave his usual explanation about how the giant telescope was used to "Time is Nature's way of keeping o""r"th;-nrr liThe universe was dictated, but determine the structure of the universe. from happening at once." John Wheeler, Source unknown 'Well, well,' said Mrs. Einstein, 'My husband quoted by Paul Davies About Time (p. 236) does that on the back of an envelope.'" Quot­ "A vacuum is a heck of a lot ed by Ronald Florence, The Perfect Machine "Time is just one damn thing after another." some of the stuff Nature (p.149) Source unknown Tennessee Williams, Cat On A Hot Act Two "There are two kinds of phYSicists in Berlin: "The Moon is a different thing to each of us." on the one hand is Einstein, and on the other Frank Borman, speaking aboard 8 "Missed if? Don't worry nature is all the rest." Rudolf Ladenberg, Einstein: A lunar orbit, December 24, 1968 Genesis: The more." Jon U. Bell, Hallstrom

Centenary Volume (p. 125) Story OfApollo 8 Indian Ri ver '-

22 Planetarian Vol.

JOIN THE GROWING FAMILY OF SPITZ DIGITAL THEATERS

CUSTOMER-DRIVEN PRODUCT DEVELOPMEN T · lD ELECTRICSKY THEATERS · PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TO HUNDREDS OF SITES ANNUALLY · THEATER DESIGN SERV ICES · BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

BRIS L

NATItmAL SPAC E CENTRE . Le iCESTER. UK BIRMIN

GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE. SCOlLAHO

c A DRI PHIL DE

THE FRA-NKLIN INSTITUTE , PHILADELPHIA. USA

www.spilzinc.comP.O.BoxI98.ChaddsFord. PAI9317 USA 610.459.5200 woman." To get the new observer started, first The thing that makes Planet Quest differ­ chapter is devoted to operating a tel1escope. ent from other similar books is that it brings It's written in a down-to-earth manner that

you into the "real I! world and lives of the anyone can understand. Unlike some texts astronomers who are involved in the com­ (and some telescope users manuals) it's short petitive search for planets beyond the solar and not bogged down with technical details. system. It has just enough information to get some­ Using an oral history approach you meet one up and running wi th his or her tele­ astronomers who are bitter about not being scope. recognized for their early work, astronomers Once you've had some practice who express doubts about their abilities and telescope, Kelsey takes you on 12 [email protected] astronomers who try to upstage the discov­ tions, each one exploring a small section of eries of others in the media. We know the Moon. He leads you the Greetings for the first equinox of the mil­ astronomers are human, but we are not journey, first learning to navigate "crater- lennium, planetarians. Here are some books often allowed to hear about the jealousies hopping,l! then on to deciphering the histo­ and a software package that are worth your and bad feelings between astronomers in ry of the Moon by looking at the perusal. And as always, if you have read a their own words. details of craters, rilles, mountain ranges, and good book lately and want to share it with Planet Quest also includes numerous the maria. He accomplishes all this in con­ your colleagues, contact me at the address refreshing examples for looking at old mate­ versational tone that's always and above. We would welcome your contribu­ rial in new ways. We often describe the Sun never condescending. tion! as an ordinary star. Croswell pOints out that During the expeditions, Kelsey often paus­ Many thanks to our reviewers for this this is not so. "Incredibly, 99 percent of the es to explain some of the geological issue: Richard Dreiser, Kristin Lester, John stars visible to the naked eye outshine the of the Moon. This serves to make the Mosley, George Reed, and Gary Tomlinson. Sun, yet 95 percent of all stars that exist actu­ tions even more interesting. You are not ally emit less light than the Sun. It's just that only looking at interesting features on the these dim stars can't be seen unless they lie Moon, you are looking at over 4 billion years close to the Sun./I of history. And from your view in your own Planet Quest, The Epic Discovery But the best thought was saved for the back yard, through your own small tele­ of Alien Solar Systems, by Ken final paragraph. After listing the different scope, you can figure out just what Croswell, Oxford University ways in which people see the Universe, pened and when it happened to make the Press, 116 High Street, Oxford Crosswell states, "its most astonishing fea­ Moon look as it does today. OX1 4BZ, 1999, ISBN 01928 tures are two of the simplest: it exists, and so 80837, $9.95 paperback. dowe./I "This book was definitely Planet Quest includes an excellent glos­ written for the novic Reviewed by George Reed, National Space sary, bibliography and chapter notes as well Centre, Leicester, England as tables and diagrams throughout. observer with a small scope .... I would particularly Is it a history book? Is it a textbook? Is it a recommend this book to reference book? Is it interesting? Yes. Yes. Welcome to the Moon! : Twelve Yes. And above all yes. This is an interesting Lunar Expeditions for Small Tele­ adult or high school student book even if you feel that you are already scopes, by Robert Bruce Kelsey, who is new to observing." familiar with the material. It's an interesting Naturegraph Publishers, P.O. book even if you are not interested in the Box 1047, Happy Camp, CA material. 96039,1-800-390-5353,1997, The book is fun of sketches that r"",.,.,1"''':'_ I discovered Planet Quest when I was look­ ISBN: 0879612452, $11.95. ment the text nicely. They were all drawn ing for some information on the naming of by Kelsey, mostly based on views a the planet Pluto. What I found was so inter­ Reviewed by Kristin A. Lester, Framingham 60mm or 80mm refractor. At first I was dis­ esting and so different than any other source State College, Framingham, Massachusetts, appointed that there weren't more I had looked at on the subject that I started USA. tographs of the Moon. However, the lack of looking at other subjects in the book. I final­ pictures inspired me to see the fea­ ly just started at the beginning and read to The next time someone says to you "I just tures for myself. I couldn't wait for dark so I the end. Did you know that Percival Lowell's bought this telescope; what can I do with could take a good look at the Moon. widow, Constance, wanted to name the it?/I refer them to the book, Welcome to the the large number of drawings in the book, planet after herself? She didn't have a chance Moon! In this book author Robert Bruce there were, on occasion, a few craters and the because Clyde Tombaugh "despised that Kelsey takes you on a guided tour of the like that were mentioned in the text but not Moon through 12 expeditions. Kelsey is an labeled in the drawings. One can only expert at making the journey interesting; at his directions are good enough that you do "Planet Quest also includes no time does it seem the Moon is just anoth­ not need a map for those craters. numerous refreshing exam­ er boring rock in space. He not only describes This book was definitely written for the ples for looking at old mate­ the magnificent lunar terrain, he also takes novice observer with a small the time to explain such things as how dif­ However, it is still quite interesting for even rial in new ways." ferent lunar features formed and how you the well-experienced observer, can tell the relative ages of craters. one such as me who usually considered the

Vol. No.1, March 2001 Planetarian Moon nothing more than annoying light SpeCifically, the 2000 Catalogue classifies Soaring Through the Universe: pollution. I would particularly recommend 22,507 specimens according to the most Astronomy Through Children's this book to any adult or high school stu­ recent methods. An "Ordinary Chondrite" Literature, Joanne c. dent who is new to observing. Middle school may be an H, HIL, L, LlLL, or LL-Group. Teacher Ideas Press, students with a strong interest in astronomy There are seven classes of Carbonaceous Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 6633, may enjoy it, as well. Chondrites. Enstatite Chondrites may be E, Englewood, CO 80155, 1999, EH, or EL. One dozen varieties of Achondrite ISBN 1-56308-560-7, $23.00 (at Chondrites have been described (these amazon.com). Catalogue of Meteorites, With include lunar and Martian meteorites). special reference to those repre­ Mesosiderites and Pallasites comprise the Reviewed by Gary Tomlinson, Chaffee Plan­ sented in the collection of the two classes of Stony-Irons, and, there are etarium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.. Natural History Museum, more than one dozen Irons. London, Fifth edition (Revised The Catalogue also classifies all 22,507 The purpose of this book is to blend litera­ and Enlarged), by Monica M. known meteorite Falls and Finds back into ture and science. Some current curriculum

Grady, Cambridge University the three familiar, traditional categories: reform initiatives suggest this very ..... "'" .... ,,1'. Press 40 West 20th Street, New Stones, Stony-Irons, and Irons. (A Fall, inci­ of disciplines, so this would make York, NY 10011-4221 2000. dentally, is a meteorite seen to fall, then col­ addition for any school system to do ISBN: 0521663032. GPB 90.00, lected, reasonably soon thereafter. A Find so. It would also be a good reference for the about $131.00 (US). may have fallen any time between recently planetarian trying to construct cross-curricu­ and long ago, but, it was not seen to fall.) lar programs. While this book is for Reviewed by Richard Dreiser, Yerkes grades 3 to 6, no grade level is assigned to spe­ Observatory, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, USA. cific activities within the book. "The volume is a complete The author spent 11 years the The advertising for the excellent and catalogue of all authenticat­ abundant resources referenced within the definitive 2000 fifth edition of the Catalogue ed meteorites, and gives book. The author also paid special attention of Meteorites states that it will, undoubtedly, information on their classifi­ to the seven intelligences constructed "like previous editions, become an essential Thomas Armstrong. Six chapters divide the reference volume for all those with an infor­ cation and chemistry." book into the following topicS: The Moon, mal interest in meteorites. The volume is a the Sun, planets, stars, traveling complete catalogue of all authenticated space, and tips on using literatUTe. Each meteorites, and gives information on their As in earlier editions, it is not the inten­ ter has an extensive bibliography. The classification and chemistry. It is the defini­ tion of the Catalogue "to discuss the science missing resources (that I am aware of) are tive descriptive list of The Natural History of meteoritics, but simply to provide a sum­ publications by the Great Lakes Planetarium Museum, London, which maintains the offi­ mary of the nomenclature and classification Association (GLPA) and the Astronomical cial world database of all known meteorite of meteorites and the system of entries Society of the Pacific (ASP). For in falls and finds. It includes the 10,000 new adopted." The Catalogue is more than ade­ chapter I, under paper plate activities, no specimens recovered since publication of quate at doing what it was intended to do. the fourth edition, including those from For a splendid introduction "through the "".if you are looking to do Antarctica and [other] deserts. An important jungle that is meteorite nomenclature," read­ development is the addition of [al CD-ROM ers should supplement the excellent material some cross-curricular pro­ to accompany the book, which greatly of the Catalogue with a copy of Rocks From gramming in your planetari­ expanded information (literature references Space: Meteorites and Meteorite Hunters, by O. um or want to bring some lit­ and analytical data for each meteorite) and Richard Norton, 2nd edition, March 1998, an important search facility. The Catalogue is Mountain Press Publishing Company; ISBN erature linked to astronomy the major reference volume for everyone 0878423737, reviewed by John Mosley in the into your classroom, then interested in meteorites: professional scien­ December 1994 issue of the Planetarian. this book will be of great ben­ tists, meteoriticists, collectors, dealers and Unlike the 1985 Catalogue, the fifth edi­ efit to yo U." academic libraries." tion does not mention tektites, the odd, dark, The Forward to the Catalogue (incorrectly twice-melted, aerodynamically-sculpted bits referred to in the Contents as the Preface) is of glass found all over the world. mention is made of the new GLPA paper required reading for those who are unaware A useful two-page set of Instructions for plate tips booklet and associated video. Nor of recent advances in the study of mete­ use of the Catalogue of Meteorites on CD­ where poetry is mentioned are the two orites. In the past, scientists wrote of mete­ ROM is on page 3. System requirements for extensive anthologies of astronomical poet­ orites as belonging to one of three categories: the software CD-ROM are found on the final ry by GLPA mentioned. Of course, these pub­ stone, iron or stony-iron. The 2000 Catalogue page, 690, which is not numbered. I recall lications are not well known outside the points out in the Introduction that "great reading that Monica M. Grady, while pleased planetarium field. Also missing are references advances have been made in understanding that the Catalogue of Meteorites is now com­ to the great lists of resources that the the inter-relationships between meteorite pleted, respectfully asked to be exempted Astronomical SOciety of the Pacific (ASP) groups, advances made possible by the ever­ from working on future editions. She has publishes. By combining the above-men­ increasing numbers of specimens recovered performed an admirable feat. The final ver­ tioned GLPA and ASP publications with this from deserts: Antarctica, the Sahara and the sion, covering all meteorites from Aachen to book, a teacher would have a very """",.,a,d",,1 Nullarbor Region of Australia." Zvonkov, was well worth the wait. resource collection.

26 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March The book promotes storytelling, poetry, Even the Big Dipper and Orion don't stand In general, many using food, scavenger hunts, original stories, out, and I needed to toggle the constellation simple to do - like and cooperative learning plus its own stories, outlines on and off to make sense of the ward through time -are awkward. activities and games to share with the reader. view. That in itself is a three-step process: go help but feel that the programmer All in all, this would make a good addition to to the Settings menu, then the Display sub­ first look at how other comr)eting "'''-trn.l'"'1A_ your bookshelf. menu, and then click or unclick Constella­ my programs are organized. I did find some faults. In the chapter on tion Outlines in the little box (or "com­ So - what is good about the Df()!lI'anfi the Sun, no safe direct observation methods mand-Oil and then check the box). Then I First, the accuracy is imlPfiessive were listed. Today, access to inexpensive safe noticed that many of the constellation out­ claims that Universe "is filters is the norm rather than the exception. lines are pretty goofy (inspired, I fear, by H. accurate astronomical simulator comIner­ The warnings about observing the Sun were A. Rey). The starfield is designed to be "pho­ dally available, even inr'i1l1'iin,a not emphasized enough (they could have torealistic," but it's not the sky that my eyes ment to the current been bolded or boxed in and not hidden see. (ELP2000-8S) developed speCltlCaH within the text). "OK," I thought, "let's find a planet." Sur­ software, enabling the position of the Moon I did find at least two wrong or misleading prise number 3 - in virtually every Macin­ to be determined to an accuracy of statements in the book. In the chapter about tosh program ever written, you press "com­ than 100 metres." Rigorous formulae planets, it states, "Unless it is twilight or just mand-F" to "Find" anything, but in Digital into account the cumulative effects of pre­ before sunset, Mercury's brightness makes it Universe you press "command-J" to find a cession, nutation, aberration, and stellar difficul t to see." Of course, that is incorrect. solar system object, "command-K" to find a proper motion, and the program In the chapter about stars, the shapes of the constellation, "command-H" to find a star, star pOSitions accurate to 1 arc second for the Big and Little Dipper are wrong as well as a and "command-Y" to find a deep-sky object. epoch of the construction of the of few others, but any self-respecting planetari­ What! A full menu is devoted to the "Find" Egypt. I asked it for the position of Mars for a an would not be stopped by this. They command. date in 3,000 B.e. and in 3,000 A.D., and the would know the correct shape and go on. I've owned every Macintosh astronomy position was within arcseconds of the So if you are looking to do some cross-cur­ program and can usually figure out much of ephemeris generated by the Jet Prcmlllsi.on ricular programming in your planetarium or what to do by trying the obvious, but I had Laboratory; Mars' angular diameter was want to bring some literature linked to to consult the manual toJearn how to zoom within 0.1 arcsecond, and the percent illu­ astronomy into your classroom, then this in and out. There is no control panel to let mination was within 0.1 percent. The Jet book will be of great benefit to you. you do it; zooming is accomplished by "con­ Propulsion limits you to within trol-I" to zoom in and "control-O" to zoom about 3,000 years on either side of the pre­ out. This is reasonable once you know, but sent, but Digital Universe will let you com­ Digital Universe, Syzygy unless you go to the manual you may be a pute positions and other for Research and Technology long time in discovering it. 100,000 years from the present. Ltd., Box 83, Legal, Alberta, Move around the screen with the arrow Canada. Software on CD­ keys or use a control panel devoted to mov­ " ... Digital Universe not ROM for MacOS comput­ ing; there are no scroll bars (so you can't ers. [email protected]; 780- resize the screen or display more than one shine as a begin gu 961-2213. $149.95 Canadian screen at a time). to what's up tonight, but it The time is expressed in five different for­ is useful for research Reviewed by John Mosley, Griffith Obser­ mats with Delta-T calculated according to vatory, Los Angeles, California, USA. advanced theory (or you can enter a value jects where accuracy manually), but the time is expressed in 24-hr paramount." Basic and accurate astronomical informa­ military style and can't be changed to tion is at the core of all we do as astronomy a.m./p.m. familiar to so many Americans. educators, and desktop planetarium pro­ These surprises put me off from the get-go. Positions are to nearest hun- grams have given us the ability to summon The programs' faults are numerous and seri­ dredth of an arcsecond; rising and much information quickly and effortlessly. ous. You can view the planets or not, but times to nearest second (effects of chan:girtg Those of us who use Macintoshes see few you cannot select which planets to see. I gen­ air temp, air pressure, and altitude are taken new programs, and the release of a major erally prefer to deselect Uranus, Neptune, into account, and the moon and sun appear new one is an event. Digital Universe is new and Pluto, but with Digital Universe it is all or flattened when very near horizon). and powerful - but it is a strange program none. Likewise, it offers a set of the moons of Universe can show the with both strong plusses and strong minuses. the planets without allowing you to select years 100,000 BC to 100,000 AD, HlCluomg First, installation is a snap -although it can which moons to view. Jupiter, for example, the effects of proper motion and pn~ceSSllon. take some time if you load the full 620 mb displays 10, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, You can watch the north celestial database onto your hard drive. Drag the files Amalthea, and Thebe. Amalthea and Thebe! through a complete precessional you plan to use regularly to your computer In heavens name, why? All moons are dis­ two, or three). You watch the and use the CD for the rest. played as featureless disks. stretch out to become the Chair Upon opening the program and looking at There is no Milky Way outline. or Arcturus pass Spica in the 54th century the default starfield, the first thing I noticed Digital Universe uses an incorrect method and disappear into the southern was that I couldn't recognize anything, at of specifying years B.e. Contrary to the pro­ million are in the data- least not without peering closely and gram and manual, the year -5 is not same as 5 base, including almost 100,000 "<",Orl .• ':"''' thoughtfully. The stars are all very faint and Be. The year -5 is 6 B.e. in a convention long objects, which are shown as outline they're pretty much the same brightness. ago adopted by astronomers and historians. with their proper size and orientation, and

Vol. No.1, March 2001 Planetarian several hundred photographs are included. An included h ypert ext astronomy ency· A sepatatt' land very un·Macintosh·Jj\;e, Yo u can nnd a star by any of 14 designations clopedia is divided into four parts · Int roduc· program "3 DStar s~ is included. It lets you fGreek. Bayer, YKS. HD. variable star. GSc. tion to Astronomy. Famous People, Astron· navigate through in terstellar space and vIew etc.) o my Definitions, and Object Informatio n. the stellar neighborhood from anywhere Click on an ohject and you're giving a sur· They are in tegrated intO the program and to withi n a few thousand lig ht years of the sun. feit of info rmation on it totaling about a each o ther il nd are avai lable at a mouse click. It is an amaling and fun program that adds page. In the case of a star. rou SI.'t' its posi tion The fi rsl part is a book·length as tronomy subSlilntlal value 10 Ih l.' package. in five coord inate systems. velocity. ri sing tutorial appro..1C hing college·level in pl aces. ·1 he proverbial bottom line is that f);s;tnl and se tting times. see it plotted on a 5m,11I H· The short biographi es includl' an odd mi.~ of Ur' ;IW SI' (toes not shint' as a beginner's guide R diagram, and for most Slars Sft' I he approx· felV dozen astronomers iln d astronau ts to wha t 's up to nigh t, bu t it is useful for imate spectrum. (GalilN is followed by Ric hard Go rdon Ju. research projects where accuracy is para· loom inlO Mars to see a detailed globe Most of the definitions in the ast ronomy dic· mount. M~' impression is that it seems to wilh more features Ihan you lV iII see wi lh tionary are sho rt. but some are quite de· ha\·e bt'en designed by mathematicians who any back~' a rd telescopt'. shown wit h t hI' cor· tailed. Object Informatio n contains a truly are insufficil'ntly familiar with hOI .. people rect orientation and phase. alTIazing amount of tabular data, text, and actuall y lo ok at t he sky and wit h what A powerful Report Generator lets you cre· photographs, and it is a wonderful addition makes a des ktop planetarium use ful o n a ate customil.ed tables of magnitude, dis 10 the software package. As an example, for dail y basis. But. if you need rigorous accura· lances, rising /set ling times, angular d la me· Ti tan you are given a table of the moon's cy (as we o ft en do ), it has much to offer. The te rs, phase ang le, radi us, etc. of sola r system ph ysical and o rbital characteristics. a one· Report Generator. encyclopedia, and 31)SIafS obiffts (but not stars/, and save them ilS text page hyperlin ked encyclol>ed ia entry, and are bonuses that ma ke it a deSi rable package files. This could be very useful to generate, several photographs; if you pursue the lin ks for power users. It won't d isplace the first for example, a table of topocentriC altitudes you learn about the Cassinl mi ss ion in great desktop pl,metJrium program I turn 10, but o f \-I ercury at 6 p.m. lexcuse me: 18:001 duro detail. The encyclopedia weighs in at 200t I' m glad to have it for the times when I will ing its next evening appt'ara nce, the distance megabytes. I put an alias of its index page in need it. from Ihe eart h to Mars at 5-day intervals for a handy place on my hard drive and can For fu rther in formation including SCft't'n 2008, or the setting azimuth of the moon open it independently of Digital Universe samples to go http://wwwsyz.com/ DUfmac. each da~' next month. with my web browse r.

INTU ITIVE IMAGE - PR OC ESSI NG SOFTW ARE EDT H E~A;,.T _E _ ......

PRECISE EDGE -BLENDING FOR ARBITRARY PROJECTOR GECIMETRII • SPHERICAL & RECTANGULAR IMAGE MAPPING • FULLDDME VIDEO , PANORAMA AND All·SKY IMAG ING · ANTI·AlIASING • TRAINING & SUPPORT AVAILABLE

Runs under Wi ndows'l.! 98/NT12000 Distribted in North America and Japan by ~ ~.J. ' a7$ . ' - ~ - - - Bowen Productions. Indianapolis, IN 317.226.9650 [email protected] www.spitzinc.comP.O. Box I 98. Chadds Ford. PAI9317 USA 610.459.5200

28 P/one tarian Vol. 30, No. 1, Ma rc h 2001 any of these missions. Additionally, you can becomes visible, reaches maximum browse through sections which offer infor­ at the location, and di5;aD'Dears mation on shuttle operations from mission it and bookmark it and you design and planning to flight operations, or instant access to the next ten information on various shuttle systems, or for the selected location information on future upgrades of the shut­ access the bookmark. tle, or information on a selection of techno­ It's just wonderful. Now this is logical benefits: spin-offs ranging from joy­ technological convenience I sticks to heart pumps to gas leak detectors. year 2001! If you have internet All the while, multiple-choice trivia ques­ not accessed this site yet, tions pop up periodically on the screen (a Immediately. feature which can be disabled if it gets in It also offers data on other satellites your way). Example: which shuttle was built bears links to many other useful Welcome to the new millennium, defi­ as a test vehicle and never intended for space should be on your short list of nitely under-celebrated at the start, but here flight? Why, the Enterprise, of course; I'll bet sites. After all, the space station is at last. Does it feel any different? you got that one right, even without seeing to get bigger and We've fallen a little short of Clarke's the choices. (If not, please give back your vision from several decades back. We have a Spock ears.) So you think they're all easy? space station of sorts, but it's not yet accept­ Try this one: NASA aerodynamics technolo­ gy originally developed for Space Shuttle ing commercial flights. And it's hard to have In recent months, the big, gassy External Tank airload analysis was later used moon bases when we haven't been back to have seemed locked in a satellite the moon in a generation. That monolith to enhance what? You'll never get it, so I'll sorts, as astronomers with will just have to wait a while longer .... But tell you: to enhance accuracy and distance new moons to their tallies in we make progress, however more slowly for golf balls! than we dreamed of during the heady All in all, it's a very nice CD, with excel­ Apollo Era. While we dream still, why not lent esthetics and good information and reminisce a bit, too? This column's first item visuals. Minimum system requirements for may help. use are Windows 95/98/NT /2000, Pentium II 266MHz, 32 MB RAM, 16 Bit Video Card with First One 8MB RAM, and 24XCD-ROM Drive. (I don't know if there's a Mac version.) Last October, we reached another mile­ It makes a great archival CD, and would stone of sorts when the hundredth space make, I think, a nice computer station inter­ shuttle mission did the last bit of housekeep­ active for classroom, exhibit, or Challenger ing at the infant International Space Station Ii tan is larger than Center-type use. My review copy came prior to the arrival of the first station crew. choice but to surf the internet, and unencumbered by any auxiliary informa­ To commemorate the milestone, the United with a new source of very tion, so I can't tell you what it costs or how Space Alliance and the Space Foundation mation indeed: the web site of the National to order in quantity for gift shops. Check the have issued a CD entitled "Space Shuttle: The Space Science Data Center, aDlnar'entlv referral web site at . umentation. Center in Greenbelt, USA. It was not yet up and running as of mid­ It opens with a montage of shuttle images The home page address is January, but it may be now as you read. Or, and then proceeds to a timeline in which the .gsfc.nasa.gov /planetary /planetary home you can check with the organization that shuttle flights (each represented as a small .html>. And it's become my new sent me my copy: United States Space Foun­ black box with the flight number inside on a bible for the latest facts and on the dation, 2860 S. Circle Drive, Suite 2301, calendar grid) slowly scroll past, from the solar system. Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4184 USA. first verification flight in April, 1981 to STS- The site has links to fact sheets for all of 92 in October, 2000. (Be prepared to explain the planets, their satellites and ring systems, why the flight numbers are not in order of Thar She Goes ... and selected asteroids, Near-Earth launch). If you position the mouse icon so Now that the ISS is starting to really look and comets, listing a wealth of that the boxes scroll past it, you get a quick interesting and is getting brighter, lots of orbital data in metric units (with an I,' '''' II,~''­ listing of the flight number, the dates of the people want to see it go over. With most of units planet table for hold-out Americans). mission, and a short statement of the mis­ the world underneath its orbital path, they The appropriate sheets listed all of the sion highlights. can. And if you want to make it easy to find newly-announced satellites of and Click on a box and you get more: a nicely out when, check out the web site of Saturn, including radii and orbital parame­ designed screen which provides a mission Heavens-Above at (include the hyphen), the new Saturnians. And the Uranus ties, the orbiter used, launch and landing if you don't already know about it. It will included provisional satellite names most dates, distance traveled in statute miles, a provide flyover data for virtually any place of the newer finds around Uranus. There crew listing, the mission patch, and a flurry on the globe. were also links to press releases UHUVUAl.'-U'F. of pictures and video clips from the flight. Follow the instructions and you can select the new discoveries. And the nice You can access this summary screen for a country, select a town within the country, that the fact sheets are any flight from a menu of the hundred click on "ISS" and get data on visible flyovers fashion-the last update just two flights. You can also access pictures and short for the next ten days, including the time, I write. for astronaut who flew on altitude and azimuth of when the ISS first Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian selection of solar system images (mostly galaxies, planets, and stars, some nice Mars Ave., Hillsboro, USA, tel lepflOIle from spacecraft), a timetable of upcoming maps and Hubble views of Mars, and 503-649-6055, fax 503-649-5852, planetary missions and events, a chronology space shuttle posters, astronomy calendars, manner video-data projectors, J;:.CJl'Cl.UU of lunar and planetary exploration with spe­ slide sets, videos and CD-ROMs. "true SVGA, cOlnpres:sed cific information on spacecraft and miSSions, Some of the less usual stuff includes information on NASA's Discovery program bookmarks with space imagery, celestial of small, focused planetary missions, and greeting cards, and an assortment of panor­ other tidbits. It's definitely now on my book­ amic cityscapes of some of the U.S. mark list, and should be on yours as well. I cities-quite attractive, if not ,'-'-.AULA'-«" figure it's as close as we'll get to the prover­ space-related ($30 apiece). Another bial "horse's mouth" neighing accurate, up­ offering is a wide variety of colorful satellite to-date data on the sun's ever-growing brood. views of various portions of the Earth, in­ All the site needs to do is add the Centaurian cluding a number of U.S. localities, selected asteroids/comets/whatever-the-heck-those­ other countries (Mexico, Spain, Britain, things-are, and the Kuiper Belt Objects, and it New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, etc.), will offer a pretty complete family picture. and the continents-as wen as global satellite maps. For Your Most of the space posters are under $20 U.S. (even laminated), the satellite views I recently ran across a fun catalog worth checking out - from Spaceshots, P.O. Box about $20 more for lamination. You 1743, Studio City, California 91614-0743 USA, can also get them framed for a cost. telephone 800-272-2779, web site . The attractive cata­ spacey and educational log offers a wide variety of spacey stuff. There are colorful posters of popular Hubble images and others, lovely charts on comets, Another brief the sun, the solar system, the Great Red Spot, Slide & Sound

5T I T I

Many of you, in """roAr" easy it is to incorporate a etarium programs. Because of-use, and cost-effectiveness,

an invaluable and exciting J.AH.-J-AI.1L'-'U.ALUl.LU.L STARLAB can be used in etarium for: .. school outreach • training programs • multicultural education • workshops • special events

Visit our Website at or contad us for free information the SlARLAB Portable Planetarium ..

30 Planetarian

coves, become addressable colored coves

Spring/Autumn rT"r.c.<-"~rTC to domeland. This issue's topic for discussion particularly full (e)mail for associate editor is tion posed was:

Ken Miller is the first put so let's hear what he has to say. and concerts. video walls appear at the local store. And aU-dome video and laser animation At age fourteen, my first a fill domes with non-astronomical paycheck was as a for our small at theme town movie theater. J got to learn all about carbon arc film JIJ"'-'U"', Ci11ernaSCc)pe anamorphic lenses, exit systems, popcorn DOlDDinll. tlCKe1:m:g, ing, audience surveys, and Cleammg ater at the end of the (Hmmm; sounds a lot like my later career except for the popcorn). Late one evening I remember discussion with the theater's owner about color television being introduced into our introduction of color little town. (OK, so I'm old). sented At fourteen, I saw the very real threat audiences, almost reQranl1ess looming that movies were about to lose used. Poor ones won't, New te<:hI10102ies their only over of themselves will not draw home (b &w) television. boss, a veteran with any power. After the "",,,, ... ., of years in the movie business, said, "You thin, audiences will once know Ken, I think there's to be story. an audience for a good film. Put a hundred As an eX,lmlPle, people together in the dark, tell them mat film {lmax to story, and they're going to come back even if flexes and evolves. Watch as you do it with shadow fI The com­ theaters down or fall back to munal experience of being truly entertained (or even edu-tained) was what his theater offered, and continued to offer for many more generations of fourteen ''':>Olr_.r\lr1" our little theater tried out various new tech­ nologies like red/blue 3D films, stereo,

32 vulnerable, it can take a back seat to the par- think we have to look very hard into our of course are generaH y small and m()aE~Stly ent institution's mission. ball to see the answer. We're already equipped, and so the pressure to draw Sheldon Schafer seeing some of the effects. And, as with every and audiences and to continulally Director of Science and Facilities other shiny new technology to come along fy their existence is Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences in the planetarium industry, the effects vary ance. So, I do not see much 1125 West Lake Ave. from one venue to the next. However, in the entertainment business in most Peoria, Illinois, 61614 every situation, when a new tool becomes planetaria. available to us we'd be silly to not use it. As However, there ror+",i,nlu * * with any tool, it's how we use it which deter­ large planetaria located mines the future of our profession. metropolitan areas that have for One could look at this qw=stlon from at I'm encouraged by some of the uses of full­ sought out a wider spectrum of audience least two main streams: whether or not the dome video. With the roper combination of help generate revenue. These facilities is part of a school/museum/science technical skills and pedagogical insight, expensive to build and are very center, or if it's a one. I would think these new technologies can give us addition­ maintain, and they must reach that the risk would be greater for the latter al methods to achieve those "ah-ha!" larger non-astronomical-oriented than for the former as administrators moments we all strive for. In this way, our in order to pay their way. I suppose it is tend to favor whatever rakes in money. As profession hasn't lost anything - no erosion. ble that some of these planetaria could long as a is associated with an Instead, we've augmented our abilities, per­ pletely abandon astroI10TI[1y--orilented education/scientific institution and serves in haps reinforcing our foundation. The new tarium programs and become an outreach role, then I tools can provide another perspective for media theaters that extend the would like to believe that its future is teaching difficult concepts, or pique interest vision of entertainment. But I do not

LU!.UH.'UI<, that mission. and imagination. this is likely. I believe there will such alternative programming has These new tools could certainly be used to demand for what might be called a c-tOlnri'''1'rl its points from both and a financial teach non-astronomical concepts as well. multimedia show. It seems aspects. the These technologies can be a new way for us ic to me that planetarium multimedia alternative to take our audiences "where none have nology has grown and irn,T\l'I"HI'Pri gone before": outer space, inner space, or years, but in the future audiences may not otherwise come as well as some other place on our world. to our planetarium star shows to get generate revenues to support the facili- I believe the danger of these new abilities from the multimedia entertainment ties main astronomy education. eroding our profession come not from the that engulfs them. the advantages that hav­ technology, but from the improper use of CnlrlOJlogles brings when these technologies. Sure, we can use the new Professor & Planetarium .LJ""_'-"V~ applied to a presentation. This tools to teach biology or social studies con­ Department notion may make some of the more tradi­ cepts, but does your/our staff have the Angelo State tional planetaria but the bottom line knowledge or background to do it well? Sure, San Angelo, Texas is that both schools of planetarium thought we can toss one cool effect after another at are trying to turn people on to the night sky our audiences, but should we? It's my opin­ and what it contains, visible, or invisible, to ion that if they don't serve a purpose, or the eye. How may go about doing it are challenge our intellect, they simply serve to It's been said that the two different desensitize our audience, eroding our ability is change. The world is In the run I think that having such to capture their interest and imagination. not immune from the effects of New extras can be beneficial and will not erode Our industry has already added planetariums are being built; old facilities the profession. The iJ1UU'-'l

I:rocr'l·HU':HTc>n 40, Box 50007 associated with schools, or possibly small not be founded in a philosophy of """TH1.OT_ SE-104 05 Stockholm museums, will likely not change their pro­ ing with or IMAX. We Sweden gramming regardless of the much-improved concentrate on, "What can we do entertainment technologies. These plane­ not be done else?" and focus *** taria were for the most part designed and efforts on the unique nature of the plametar'i­ built as educational facilities with less um. but I don't emphasis on entertainment. These facilities However, we also need to realize

Planetarian Vol. OIn,=>tOl"r;l1rn.;: that age of residents more than vital is programs people back. the audience is cer- seemed to be side, turned out to be a small, grams must on the inside. teacher then Intro(lu(:ed emotional eXl0erlerlCe ater, a the astronomer to He told us format films have been made on astronomy. a soon it is a near and dear to all of our go out and would see the hearts, but we shouldn't the couldn't see any of those CT'r"AT~ln~Tn"O.{T"""'V bilities of other covered. on the inside of the The second aspect is whether we may lose wa'tching Neil Arrnstroflg of the educational a years earlier, was eagerness to use new te(:ml010g.1es those kinds stars. I even had up in my bedroom. But there those here. What was this about? Then the dim went out, around us were the stars! Not the 1"luA_r,,,,,n1"_ ed the ones in my be(jrc1onl, these looked the ones in the

ties, even my to were endless. Alas, the operator was us Orion, before my two ear-sore clalSSlnates got our whole class thrown out. and the celestial equa­ hooked! What had been a moderate tor; and some systems can even demonstrate in astronomy, which every "..... "-"nu'J the proper motion of stars and the era had, had become a full-blown pas- dimensional nature of space which as we create useful, the hadn't cannot be done well or at all in any pn~sentcLti(mS for our communities, theater other I have heard dozens of tealcners will support us. If a once-valuable and students tell me that etarium becomes former stood a certain concept until advocates and funders will support someone demonstrated in

Planetarium I\Il00nOl.",p,.. urn eXlperlerlCe, Arizona Science Center with th()U~~ht-provoking 600 East \!\I01.;:hi."(rj-,,n ences, the The tecnnOlC)gy me to my future pn)Ie:5Sl()n. around. indelible belief that the star field, Richard S. Cox universe of time and space, is Administrative l\;lo,no."",1'" ImpO],ta]lt part of any planet:aril Hansen Planetarium makes piametaria State St. Salt Lake Utah 84111-1590

tr",nr'Arl ImDo'telltlV at their abi:m

why is this? Will the future see more and more plane­ facilities re-evaluates the r.hior,H""", The main problem with large format films taria going this route? Perhaps some. Only sion of the planetarium. under the dome is that planetaria cannot the largest planetaria will be able to afford funding cuts are made, the knee-jerk reaction produce these shows themselves. The facility this route for some time to come. Most of to ensure survival is to offer all-dome enter­ must rent the films, frequently under con­ these facilities will be located in science cen­ tainment, but then how long does tracts that have fixed prices and require X ters and museums. But over half of the cally last? I believe school-based ..,.I"" ... ot-", ...,;_ number of shows, whether or not there is world's planetaria are associated with educa­ urns would find it difficult offering anyone in the audience. After all, this is the tional institutions of one level or another. I en tertaining, non-educa tional/astronomical way movie theaters work. Well, if you are think it unlikely that these facilities will shows to students. Planetariums not pntit',:.lu going to have to pay the same fee no matter choose to leave the planetarium field for committed to educational content have how many people you draw into your the­ other venues. Of course, the costs of these more flexibility in program offerings and are ater, you are going to be under tremendous systems will come down with time and more prone, or tempted, to visual pressure to give those films the maximum more and more planetaria will be able to entertainment to offset or increase op1eratinlg exposure and the best show times. And if afford them, even at educational institu­ expenses. your film is showing in the same dome as tions. To what use will these institutions put The question whether entertainment your planetarium, your planetarium shows this emerging technology? technologies would erode our .."'.,-,.t-Q.",,,"" .... will inevitably end up with little or no pro­ A laser system can be a wonderful multi-tx may apply largely to planetariums here in motion and the worse show times for projector for astronomical shows, demon­ the United States, primarily due to the way attracting an audience. This is simple eco­ strating esoteric concepts like black holes so many planetariums here are funded. nomics. Throw in pure entertainment laser and rotating neutron stars, etc., in full color Marketability for survivability may be be­ shows as well, and soon you'll have fewer motion. They and the new full-dome video coming more widespread, but science does and fewer planetarium show times and less systems will be able to do this and much contribute to a community's culture and in and less incentive to produce or purchase more as they are improved and they become most parts of the world the is new planetarium shows. And with the more affordable for the majority of plane­ regarded as an educational and cultural advent of full-dome video systems, this taria. These new media are certainly going to resource. could very well end up as a major trend in change the quality of our shows just as all­ When we embark upon capital campaigns our profession. This can easily become a skies, video, etc., have already done. But I and rattle our beggar bowls to fund enter­ vicious cycle that will erode our profession. have discovered that the dramatic impact of tainment technologies, we as educators must But it doesn't have to. For example, plane­ these systems is reduced in direct proportion also educate our administrators, as well as taria that have placed large format films in a to the number of times they are used in any the prospective donors on how these new separate room from the dome can run both given show. They can be extremely effective technologies will augment and support our planetarium shows and the films at the peak if used carefully, and intermixed sparingly educational goals, missions and standards. audience times. They may still compete with with other media. This will also be true of It's those bean counters and administrators, each other, but they can do so on a more the newer full-dome video, laser, and even more concerned about a profit, who would equal footing. large format films. Of course, the latter consider turning the planetarium COlnp'let·e­ But more than this, it is important to would require the large format film industry ly over to non-astronomical and entertain­ remember what a planetarium is and where to produce astronomical film clip libraries of ment productions. It is part of our job(s) to it came from. Planetaria have the ability to the type we already see in video. prevent this from ever occurring, or when it grab the attention of most children, be they While there is an overwhelming drive to does it might be time to move on. six or sixty, and teach them of the wonders use new systems as much as pOSSible, produc­ Jon Elvert of the universe in a way that classroom ers need to remember that you don't have to Lane E.SD. Planetarium teachers dream of. Astronomy gave birth to use every effect in every show just because 2300 Leo Harris Parkway planetaria, and it still remains at the heart of you have them. Planetaria were the world's Eugene, Oregon 97401 all planetaria. Remember that little portable first virtual reality systems, far ahead of their dome and the life-long passion for the stars time, but as the rest of the world catches up that it instilled into that 12-year old school to us, we need to be very careful that we boy. The stars are what make a planetarium. don't overreact and end up becoming some­ What audiences want. Although there is nothing wrong with show­ thing other than what we are. That little A planetarium has always held an appeal ing the occasional non-astronomical show portable planetarium should always remain to those who truly have sought knowledge or even throwing in a weekly pure entertain­ in the back of our heads, as a reminder of about the night sky at its most basic level, ment laser show to attract attention and why we do what we do. usually by hearing it firsthand from an able increase revenues to support the planetari­ Laurent Pellerin astronomer during a sky show or knowl­ um. Unless of course, these shows replace the Seminole Community College edgeable instructor in a class. In recent years, planetarium shows. Then you will no longer 100 Weldon Boulevard though, as planetaria have had to compete have a planetarium. You will have some­ Sanford, Florida 32773 with film, video, and other entertainment thing else that might run the occasional media for audiences, some appear to have planetarium show. For example, when I *** moved away from the ready availability of asked for directions to the planetarium at the on-site expert and instead have sought to the newly opened Orlando Science Center a The integration of more visual and inter­ bolster flagging attendance with ginnmic1<:y couple of years ago, a member of the staff active technologies into our planetarium demonstrations as a means to capture and told me that, "We don't have a planetarium, programs should not be a threat of putting convey an interest in subjects tr3tditiolna.ll we have a Cine dome, although they do do our profession in danger of being eroded, part of the museum experience. some planetarium shows in there." unless of course, the administration of such Even Matt Groening, creator of The

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 37 sons, lampoons the lengths to which muse­ Planetaria need not fear danger from ':lr""''',ir,r.n becomes '-'''~U~J'-', ums seek to attract audiences, showing entertainment technologies if they can con­ grams will also move out of virtual Homer and his family spending a day at the tinue to hold forth with good stories and a ments and into the real world "Knowledgeum" an arcade-style museum clear, engaging presentation of astronomical showing real starfields), expancllnLg theme park, where "we do science with fact. areas even further. And brightly colored balls." Roy A. Kaelin]r. domed en vironmen t address a But with new entertainment technologies, Production Department topics? sky show producers can immerse audiences Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum An institution will in their surroundings, having them fly past 1300 South Lake Shore Drive the planets while cresting a wave of solar Chicago, Illinois 60605 plasma. Perhaps a physician in the same audience may be inspired to see the scene differently, envisioning platelets floating past while following an infusion of blood First off, technology changes, and it plasma. These two different scenes could be changes the world with it. Just as the plane­ represented in the same manner, as the com­ tarium field began with a technological puter models and animations that comprise innovation (the ability to recreate the night them may only require varying degrees of sky under a dome in the middle of the day), the last few decades. difficulty to get it to look right. That plane­ it will continue to evolve hand-in-hand with tarians and physicians could portray con­ technology. cepts with the same techniques show that We planetarium professionals cannot see entertainment technologies have a consider­ ourselves as victims of technology, however; able degree of versatility to reach beyond we have to see ourselves as empowered traditional sky show audiences. the we have access to, and we pr1oduc1tion business with However, if producers and planetaria need to recognize the dangers and limita­ the Universe." Others will follow. believe that this versatility alone will help tions of technology as applied to our field. We them shore up flagging attendance, they interpretation of the question revolves aren't plame:ta]'iums may be deluding themselves. Entertainment around my experience with full-dome video technologies for their users seem likely to technology, so I will address it from that per­ active systems (such as the offer the versatility, but for audiences they spective. Place), domed theaters may not always offer the verisimilitude of Yes, full-dome video entertainment pro­ ment programs (such as the aforementioned an entertainment experience. That is to say, grams will take place - some under commer­ Madame Tussaud's in New York) - a great show for the planetarian to produce cial banners, others associated with non­ will see more and more of them in may not always be a great thrill for the audi­ profit educational institutions. The opening ing years. ence to watch. of Madame Tussaud's in New York has al­ guess is that we will lose some The planetarium profession has less to fear ready put one for-profit entertainment pro­ tariums down this route. will L""''-Hl1UA~ from entertainment technologies than it gram out on the market, although it, too, has ly become domed movie theaters, does from those who seek to master the some educational merit (giving a historical our brethren. You could nuances of planetarium show production tour of New York events over the last or ly call that erosion. without a requisite knowledge of astronomy, so years). More will come. The medium is too But I believe this will be a transition or with a reliance on heavy doses of process. effective and too compelling for Drc)(lllCerS od, at least as far as Sky shows are often the result of many (of all stripes) to ignore. cemed. Much as strands woven together, so already the pro­ But "eye-candy" productions have taken fession becomes eroded when the content of place under planetarium domes for decades. the show and the story that presents it to an How can we see this as any different? audience are not thoroughly vetted. domed theaters already run education pro­ No doubt every sky show producer agrees grams during the day and entertainment that what beats or bolsters entertainment programs in the evening, and as long as non­ interactive shows. technologies is a good story. Where there is profit educational institutions remain cog­ I everyone to think a bit further little or no story, a production may get nizant of their mission statements, this into the future when full-dome video padded with excess special effects. But a good should concern planetarians no more than becomes and reliable, story, aptly told, will immerse an audience the technologies that already exist. Rather CPUs run however many times faster and hold its attention with little need for than become embroiled in a debate over the they run when real-time fluff and fanfare. What makes a good story is sanctity of the dome, let's consider a more systems will be able to move into a producer or production team that vets the likel y source of erosion. small dome (perhaps rer)1a<:ln,g, no"I,,,,r,,, script early, to eliminate emphasis on high­ Will some planetarium domes be given piementing, the star projector). Small minded hearsay and reliance on cheesy spe­ over to non-astronomical shows? Not neces­ tional domes that cial effects. What makes a good story is not sarily non-educational, but non-astronomi­ universe in real-time or so much a clever turn of phrase to mark the cal? Yes. Again, the new dome technologies human body in a classroom environment - next segue; rather, it is often that satisfying are too compelling to limit (yes, limit) the could crop up ",u,o""'TlA1lhcn'o blend of unambiguous content, insightful content areas they illustrate to astronomy. about the commentary, and the occasional engaging Much as large-format films address widely­ metaphor, all delivered with the voice of a varying topics, full-dome video programs single author. will take on a of topiCS - as real-time revitalized

38 Planetarian Does this scenario seem like an erosion of as basic astronomy classrooms, may not. But have different roles in the context of their our facilities? I wouldn't call it that. despite what a few big-budget major muse­ locations, in the missions of their Ryan Wyatt ums may do, there will always be the small institutions, and in the needs of their com- Director of Theaters school theaters (which far outnumber the munities. However, all of these do LodeStar Astronomy Center "big guys'l) that can't afford the multimillion fundamentally the same and 1801 Mountain Road NW dollar upgrades and who don't need them. each do it in the way that works best for Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104 The glitzy, blinky stuff may be nice, but it them. It was once tough enough to isn't part of their mission. convince visitors that a The growing sophistication of cinematic isn't just "a movie about the stars." special effects, computer graphics, and even don't look now; some of them

I think a greater danger than an erosion of video games coupled with a shorter atten­ movies, but are they IJA ....'A" ..• "u the planetarium profession, is the conclusion tion span that's been weaned on today's Does it really matter, as long as our ultimate that what works in one planetarium is by faster-paced, in-your-face media style has goal is astronomy education one way definition going to work in every other plan­ caused many audiences to expect far more another? etarium. Recently, the staffs of some domes than just a star-talk and a slide show when F.Quock seem to find themselves in the position of the house lights go down. Indeed, many of us Assistant Chairman having to define to their administrations have already participated in discussions on Morrison Planetarium what a planetarium is and how important the future of slides as a visual medium, on California of Sciences astronomy is to the planetarium's existence the growing scarcity of projector parts, and Golden Gate Park or, in a few instances, how important the on the eventual dominance of video projec­ San Francisco, California 94118 planetariums existence is to their parent in­ tion. But not every planetarium has to be stitutions. In some cases, there seems to be a Star Tours. We all do the same thing, but in *** push for diversification of content, for the so many different ways what flies gloriously versatility of a multiple-use venue, and for a in one planetarium may go thud in another, Here is the topic for the next Forum: compromising of the primarily astronomical and vice-versa. On one hand, there are new role of the planetarium. Some planetaria find theaters being built or older theaters under­ Why do so few their hand at themselves victims of a changing market, or going major upgrades where simple star script and what can be done to of a shrinking budget, while others embrace shows have been replaced by effects-filled the current situation? a newfound function as aU-purpose multi­ technogasms in six-channel Surround Sound media theaters. Some, because of a more that rival Hollywood. On the other, there are If you have any thoughts on this tourist-oriented mandate, driven perhaps by your basic, no-frills astronomy classrooms. that are burning to be conSigned to paper (or competition, may need to go the "eye-candy" One is not necessarily better than the other. a computer screen) please let me see them route, while others, comfortable in their role Both extremes and everything in-between the deadline of April 18.

(Jane's, continued forward from page 56) make an instrument." Then I show the bird­ have one "drinking gourd", it seemed like a house gourd, then the drinking gourd before good idea to try. Remembering the last time, we find it in the sky. we moved the seed section I decided to get involved in this gourd pro­ I talk about drinking gourds that hung near far away from any other plants and bushes. cess. They needed to be dried out to be useful the bucket of water from the well, 200 years Then we proceeded to go away from home to make rhythm instruments, birdhouses or ago. I tell the story of a :yd grader who came for about two months. When we came drinking gourds. I took some green (fresh) to the planetarium one day and said, "I've home, we went down to the garden to see gourds, hung them up in the closet next to just come from Africa to live in America. In how the gourds were doing. the water heater, thinking that the heat my village in Africa, we have drinking The garden was a jungle, as you would dry them out nicely. They rotted. gourds by the village well." My collection is guess with no attention for two months. No Guess that wasn't the way. growing. Sometimes, when we sing the song drinking gourds were visible. We had Then I was ready to try growing them. I near the end of the lesson, each student gets the wrong thing, I guessed. A bird'.s squawk got some seeds from my friend with the gar­ a gourd to use as a shaky instrument while overhead made me look up. And there den, planted them in the ground in the we are singing the song. were: the drinking gourds. The vines had spring. I had to pull them up before they pro­ I really don't need any more gourds. I have crept 25 feet ( 8 meters) across the ground, duced any gourds. The vines attached to enough gourds to give each of the 100 3rd then wound themselves around the guy wire some young flower bushes, wound round grade classes I'll be teaching a souvenir: a few of a telephone pole to the top of the and round them and threatened to kill them. drinking gourd seeds and a real, dried-out then across to the top of two trees that were Meanwhile, I added a whole new segment gourd. touching the pole. There were four of them, to my planetarium lesson. I learned that Last summer, my husband and I decided all shaped like potentially wonderful drink­ most 3rd graders don't know what a gourd is. to try one more time to grow some gourds. ing gourds, hanging down from vines, So I added "'I brought some gourds today; I'll We were inspired to do so when, in a feed feet (12 meters) up in the air! I wonder where pass them around so you can think of a way and seed store in another city, we actually I can buy or borrow some of those

that people use these gourds. They are veg­ found some seeds called "dipper seeds". We things you strap to your feet for .... HH ..JUJl?; etables, but no one eats them. Q. What do were led to believe that these seeds made telephone poles! people do with them?" A.: "Shake them to dipper-shaped gourds. Since I really only

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian some of these tapes because I think they will beautiful promotional or part be valuable to the novice pianetarian. I en­ brochure. courage you to do the same! The flyers for Grades K-7 and 8-12 produced on the following two pages. Colleagues: In October 2000 I enjoyed a visit from MAPS 2001: some fellow planetarians who work in the Buhl Planetarium is hosting the MAPS Brought to you by and of interest to: GLP A region, Dale and Barbara Greer (greer@ 2001 Conference from May 9th to Powerful Interactive Planetarium Systems alma.edu). Following the visit Dale wrote, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. James "Thank you for allowing us to visit you at ([email protected]), director, has arrang­ Susan Reynolds Solvay Elementary and taking a few minutes ed.a special day of workshops de~;igrled out of a busy schedule to talk with us. It was serve portable planetarium users in the OCM BOCES very informative and we enjoyed seeing burgh area. This event will conclude with PO Box how someone else uses the Starlab. reception at the Andy Warhol Museum 6 Syracuse, "In the next several weeks, I will try to get pm which will be fill with portables as the some information together on some of the first formal function of the MAPS confer­ 315-433-2671 activities we use on our 'pre-visits' to the ence. This is a wonderful way to try and get 315-432-4523 fax classroom and send it to you by 'snail-mail'. some folks who don't normally attend MAPS Hope it will be of some use to you. Again, to come to the conference sbu [email protected] thank you for sharing some time with us, it is very much appreciated!" Tape Your lessons; This is an ideal way for planetarians to Please keep the e-mail, cards and letters I now understand why very few people share. Dale and Barbara were visiting rela­ coming! UntilJune ... signing-off! i·r want to send me taped lessons for the IPS tives in my area and took some time to visit Handbook! I keep taping mine and they are me. I usually try to do the same thing wher­ less than perfect! In fact some of them are I ever go and it is always a rewarding experi­ (Quotes, continued from page 22) even less than that! Despite that obvious pit­ ence. Planetarians on the whole are a gener­ fall it is extremely helpful and informative ous and welcoming breed and everyone ben­ to tape your presentations even if no one efits from this kind of sharing! Each gains a "Seeing a partial solar eclipse is like hears them but you. new perspective on their job, new ideas and bridesmaid; seeing a total eclipse is like I found that the lessons that sometimes sometimes even materials! the bride." Roger Tuthill, Sky & seemed plagued with what I thought was My latest visit was to the Chabot Space December 1999 (p.88) idle student chatter were not as disjointed as and Science Center in Oakland, California. perceived and real learning was happening. My family and I attended the Christmas "Jim Lovell said, many years after his When I listened to these lessons it was clear planetarium show and marveled at the beau­ that being cooped up in Gemini 7 for such a that most of the students' comments were ty of the twinkling fiber-optic stars! Jose long mission was akin to two on task and it was easy to hear that pupils Olivarez, Director of Astronomy, graciously weeks in a latrine, particularly after one of were processing experiences and learning gave us a complete tour of the brand-new the urine collection bags burst." Quoted from them. I could hear statements such as, planetarium, museum, Challenger Center, Eugene Cernan, Last Man On The Moon 95) "Oh, I get it, when the sun is low in the sky it and observatory as he explained their excit­ is colder." However, I also discovered that ing plans for the future. It is indeed a mar­ "Superstition is to religion what astrology is many times I responded appropriately to velous facility and he even arranged for us to to astronomy. A very stupid daughter of a that quiet little voice of a child who asked have a conjunction of the crescent moon very wise mother." Voltaire. Quoted by ]. de herself quietly aloud something like, "What and Venus and then the most magnificent Finad, A Thousand Flashes Of French Wit, happened to my star?" or, "I wonder what sunset I have ever seen! Wisdom And Wickedness would happen if we went to midnight!" I am flexible and the lesson plan does not drive Publicity: liThe heavens are the eyes' widest and my lessons; the learning and questioning In New York State there is an almost mani­ est field in which to adventure." Fred Schaaf, does. It is gratifying to notice when you do acal push for documenting how programs The Starry Room the right thing by instinct! The classes that I align with state standards. School districts thought were really focused and quietly are mandated to comply with our state "core "I don't pretend to understand the universe working on task were frequently so quiet curriculum" by the pressure of statewide it's a great deal bigger than I am." Thomas that it was difficult to know what was being Carlyle. Quoted by D.A. Wilson and D.W. testing and the publication of test scores in learned. I noticed that I had to draw out stu­ McCarthur Carlyle In Old Age (1865-1881 (p. the newspapers. I find myself designing pro­ 177) dent responses and challenge them to learn motional materials that directly address the what was going on in their minds. current climate. I suspect that others are feel­ It is also helpful to learn about the part of And finally ... "NASA - Nice And Safe Atti­ ing the same pressure to market the planetar­ your teaching style that needs to be fine­ ium according to country and/or regional tude." A T-shirt slogan I once saw at world in Florida tuned, for example, what phrases are repeat­ standards. Following is the argument I posed ed too frequently. In short it helps you to for schools to consider. Perhaps it will give a grow and keep your lessons fresh. Even format to follow if you have not already Further Reading: though I like to avoid criticism (my internal designed your own. Just substitute your own More Things In Heaven And Earth, David voice is already strongly critical!) I will share Levy, Wombat Press, ISBN 0969082878 I~( standards reqUirements and dress it up as a

40 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March What

Technology states, "The Earth and ,-,,-,"1"''''II-II"ll 1iJ.1UI'-'IlIlVllJlll'-'llIl" relative motion and perspective."

At the Commencement level students are expected to be able to such as tides, variations in day length, solar insulation, apparent motion traverse of the constellations."

The OCM BOCES Starlab tool for involving students

Earth Science Programs now available:

Sun and Seasons

Motions of the Moon

Celestial IVI [nUlln

Planet

OCM BOCES Planetarium Specialists have

interested in student-centered learning. A problem-solving fJlnl"u·n':ll"'n make important discoveries that enhance understandings. and intensive Planetarium lessons since 1986. We will be make a presentation and explain our program. Planetarium at your school, please phone or e-mail:

Susan Reynolds Button, [email protected]

Cathy Wegman, :""P,4"1I"P,1ro:!l [email protected]

(315) ************************************* ** {;(*' * What Good is *"* or * * y Spend Money Studying the * Standard Four of the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, * Technology states, Earth and celestial phenomena can be described * relative motion and perspective." * *1:1 Elementary students need to be able to "describe patterns of daily, ...... VJLJ...... changes in their environment." *1:1 * .:. Intermediate students must be able to "explain daily, monthly and "''''' .... ,.:Iv ...... ""... u ...... F,'Vu on *"* Earth." *' * .:. At the Commencement level students are expected to be able to: * ./ "explain complex phenomena such as tides, variations in day length, *-{% solar insulation, apparent motion of the planets traverse *' the constellations." "* *' ./ "describe current theories about the origin of the universe and the * solar system." *' *" can your 0 .. "'...... ,... .&."" *' OCM BOCES Starlab Portable Planetarium can come to your school to be used as a narIUS-UII * laboratory for discovery. It is the most cost and time effective means solidly ... v""'... , ...... j>., * concepts that cannot be experienced by reading textbooks. Since Astronomy *' into State and National Science Standards, we believe that it is imperative

* advantage of using the Planetarium as a laboratory to and ""'v ...... LA •• , ...... space .... v ...... '..., "* concepts explored in the classroom. "**' OCM BOCES has been providing high level and intensive since 1986. *' will be happy to schedule a time when we can make a presentation our at .-'* your next meeting. For further information or to book the Planetarium at your school, please * phone or e-mail: *" * Susan Reynolds Button, Planetarium ;:speClan!~t *'* [email protected] *' * Cathy Wegman, Secretary **' [email protected] * *''* *' * *' (315) 433-2671 * * * *****************'************************* * ** among planetariums. For more information contact Agnes Acker, Strasbourg Planetari~ I APS now has members from t urn, or Pascal New Zealand, and Guam. of Prieur for techniques by Fax +33 (0)5 6180 74 planetaria are either new or are under'~wjinQ: 70. Another show for young people is an­ refurbishment. For example Martin nounced by the Saint-Etienne Planetarium has recently survived a major refurbishment (Eric Frappa / , and at Brescia and Lumezzane Most Australian planetaria have been [email protected] . Travel to Venice is writing their own shows with Melbourne's also programmed as an option . (launched in June 2000), and Another travel is proposed to planetarians Andraxus (to be launched 2001). this spring. After the total eclipse of 11 New millenium or not? It seems like many Canb.erra Planetarium's new shows in pro­ August 1999 through France, those who of my pianetarian colleagues regard year duction are Guidebook to the Moon and would like to study the 21 June 2001 eclipse 2000 turning into year 2001 marks the real Phoebe and the Time Machine. in Africa may go to Zambia (information: change from our second to our third milleni­ Wollongong Planetarium has introduced . down the last ten seconds until all four digits Williamson leaving the Canberra Planetari­ Among new planetariums, after technical changed, from 1-9-9-9 to 2-0-0-0. Good order um and Jack White and Richard Allen leav­ works, the Bourget Planetarium reopened should now however be restored, and we can ing the Melbourne Planetarium. White 24 November. Two other new planetariums all agree that we live in the third millenium moved on to work for Sky Skan opened during year 2000, Planetarium­ of what is called AD! Richard has re-Iocated to the UK. Observatoire Ludiver in La Hague and Cote The International News column depends Williams is now busy producing shows Basque in Anglet, while the new planetarium entirely on contributions from IPS Affiliate Canberra, as well as Tanya Hill, dome of Montpellier is announced for the Associations all over the world. This time I newcomers, Monica Zetlin and Martin Bush especially acknowledge the first report from end of 200l. for Melbourne. ' Finally, we received an interesting invita­ Glen Moore on one of IPS' latest Affiliate A feature of the year has been the notice­ tion to the exhibition Lunes at Museum Associations, APS. Many thanks also to Bart able increase in the number of plametar'iarls d'Histoire Naturelle de Lyon. This exhibition Benjamin, Ignacio Castro, Kevin Conod,John visiting from the northern ",-. tag for your contributions. You are welcome Canadian Council of Science Association of Mexican back with new reports, and I look forward to Centres reports from other Associations as well. Up­ iums Plans are well in hand for the 2001 Cana­ coming deadlines are 1 April for Planetarian During the celebration of the 8th anniver­ dian Museum Association Conference to be 2/01 and 1July for 3/01. sary of the inauguration of Universum held in Ottawa 3-7 April. CCSC will hold its Museo de las Ciencias, Mexican Autonomu~ general meeting at the conference on Wed- Association French-Speaking University, the Rector Dr. Juan Ram6n de la 4 April, as well as a full of discus- Fuente, publicly announced the construc­ Planetariums sions and workshops of interest to the sci­ tion of a new building at the Science Among news from France is a new show ence center/planetarium A Museum. This will accommodate a new about Earth Planet and its environmental number of items on the CMA conference planetarium with a big dome of 22 meters or face, seen from space. This show will present program will also be of interest to CCSC more, with an Omnimax theatre for about evolution under nature and human influ­ mem bers, including a keynote address 400 spectators. Ground breaking will proba­ ences and will be produced with the CNES Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau on 6 bly take place as early as April 2001, but (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). It will and an evening of science Wired, Weird and obviously many technical and budget pro­ be programmed after 2 April 2001 by nearly Wonderful at the Canada Science and posals have to be solved first. Ing. Jose de la 40 planetariums, registered at the time to nology Museum, the country's largest muse­ print this paper. Herran, current AMPAC President, is in um of its kind with dose to 10,000 of This is the biggest such joint project in charge of the project. exhibits. France and French speaking countries The Western Science Centres CoUabora-

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Plane tar ian tive group held its most recent meeting 16-18 aware that the existence of black holes seems better than ever! Robert T. November at Manitoba's fine Museum of to satisfy the requirements of theory. That tarium in Flint offered the Man and Nature. The agenda included sever­ there are black holes of varying masses, and use your new telescope WClrK:5n<)pS al sessions on "governance" issues, as well as a different effects associated with each mass, one who gets a new telescope and can't special focus on planetarium development may not be surprising. What may be surpris­ figure out how to find the Moon. Cranbrook and collaboration. Planetarium production ing is that the theory appears to fit increas­ Institute of Science Planetarium in staff from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, ingly with observation. These and other field Hills hosted a Users Watson Lake, and Winnipeg were joined by viewpoints were presented in the newest sky shop on 22 January as wen as their teaching a special guest Pierre Chastenay of the show to debut in the StarRider Theater. Black Astronomy for Inquiring Minds: An lrllT04:1W::­ Montreal Planetarium. In addition to sharing Holes: Into the Dark Abyss is the Adler's latest tory Astronomy Course during April. ideas on future developments within the entree for its audiences to enjoy as they The Exhibit Museum Planetarium Canadian planetarium community, the interact with and learn the likely and Arbor has completed the installation group saw Manitoba's new show Cosmic observed effects of black holes on space and East Coast Control Systems console Perspectives, a well produced program on the time. The sky show culminates in a roller­ Spitz A-4. In addition, have .H"" ..... ~u changes in human perspectives of the cos­ coaster ride through a fictitious wormhole. low-budget, but very functional, LCD mos over the last two thousand years. Other The Cernan Earth and Space Center of system with a laser disk player; they are shows for possible collaboration were dis­ Triton College in River Grove featured a C- ning to add VHS next. A dual solenoid cussed, and several interesting educational 360 "Film Fest" to start off the 21st Century. tem both turns the projector on and off products developed by the Montreal Plane­ On 19 January the Center hosted day 1 of the opens and closes an aperture, via automation tarium were reviewed. These products in­ Near and Far Sciences for Illinois workShop. system signals. Talks continue with clude a space game and a two sided Moon jig­ Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium astronomy department on a collaborative saw puzzle. Anyone interested in these prod­ hosted day 2. At William M. Staerkel Plane­ effort to construct a stand-alone plallletariurll ucts should contact Pierre Chastenay at the tarium in Champaign there will be three facility behind the current Museum Montreal Planetarium. Next meeting of the more installments in their annual World of ing. group will be at Watson Lake's Northern Science Lecture Series featuring lightning, air­ The Grand Haven Area Public Schools Lights Planetarium in the fall 200l. planes and how they work, and poisonous Planetarium had its grand reopening in Preliminary results from a recent CCSC plants. Lakeview Museum Planetarium host­ November for the Board, administrators, sci­ sponsored survey of Canada's Science Cen­ ed a Near and Far Science Workshop 2-3 ence committee and teachers. Their ters and Science Museums show the follow­ February. ment now includes Audiostar, Videostar, a ing highlights: The ISU Physics Department has hired refurbished A3P, Techniwerke's de­ * School groups are an emerging and Thomas Willmitch as full-time planetarium signed audio system, and refurbished growing market in an otherwise static staff member. Due to the Christmas Day par­ carpeting, structural and esthetic or declining attendance pattern. tial solar eclipse, the ISU Planetarium fea­ ments. Beginning in January, Kalamazoo * There is growing evidence that science tured a solar eclipse show during the month Valley Museum Planetarium started centers are regarded as integral and of December. During these special presenta­ ing a new program, in conjunction important components of our educa­ tions, participants learned about eclipses, local Hispanic organizations, which is tional system. how to predict them, and how to safely view to the sun and seasons as told * The majority participates in Teacher them. story about migrant farming. The anticilpat­ development programs. And the follow­ Indiana. The PHM Planetarium, Air & ed opening for this show is in 2003. ing challenges: Space Museum in Mishawaka has added an Ohio. Ohio's oldest planetarium, the Wolff * Many facilities feel that they are not air museum to its space museum, featuring Planetarium in Cincinncati celebrated its serving well the educational needs of 30 scale models of aircraft from the Wright golden anniversary on 5 November. Dean Canada's young people. flyer to the X33. Also included are the auto­ Regas directs this facility which is op«:ralted * A lack of funding is seriously impairing graphs of Orville Wright, Lindbergh, Earhart, under the aegis of Cincinnati Parks. Ohio's their ability to create meaningful educa­ Doolitle, Rickenbacker, Yeager, Neil Arm­ newest planetarium is the Fred F. Silk Plan­ tional experiences. strong (when he was an X-IS pilot), Cross­ etarium, which opened last fall at the Wild­ * Science centers are not reaching or meet­ field, Rushworth, Wyle Post and others. In erness Center in Wilmot. Featuring as-meter ing the needs of underprivileged chil­ March, the PHM Planetarium will pass the dome and a Goto EXS star projector, dren in our society. one-half million mark in attendance - not facility is coordinated by Rev. Dave Ross. * Science centers have fallen behind in bad since the planetarium has only been in Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new their ability to showcase current tech­ operation since 1981 and only seats 83. Shafran Planetarium at the Cleveland nology or information on current scien­ Dayle Brown of Pegasus Productions will Museum of Natural History took tific discoveries. be attempting an astronomy overnight September. Joe DeRocher is anltlCllpatlnlg experience for 3rd and 4th graders presented fall, 2001 opening. Great lakes Planetarium Associ­ by her 6th grade young astronauts for a fee. Chuck Bueter is co-teaching a celestial ation This will be one of their fund raising projects navigation class with Jeff Sanders at the Lake to take the 6th graders to Space Camp in Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay illinois planetarians decided at the GLP A Huntsville. The E. 'c. Schouweiler Planetar­ The adult class has given rise to some of the Conference not to have a state meeting in ium in Fort Wayne is one of the sites chosen most technical paper plate devices yet, dedi­ the spring of 2001. The decision was made to for The Explorer's ofMauna Kea. cated to sight reduction and celestial hold a state meeting in the fall of 2001 in­ Michigan. In Grand Rapids, the Roger B. tion theory. Bueter suggests that a class like stead, the date and location to be deter­ Chaffee Planetari um has successfully re­ this is a planetarian's delight, for it uses the mined. placed their Digistar I, the last such Digistar planetarium to its maximum Scientists are becomingly increasingly in Michigan. They report that their sky is anyone is looking to support an '-"'''''_'''.u""

44 Planetarian Vol. celestial navigation class in their communi­ Programs are also collected in each coun­ pants to visit these facilities on ty, feel free to contact Bueter for input. try by Day ofPlanetaria collaborators. In Slo­ night in place of the traditional Gene Zajac tells about visitors from near vakia, for example, the programs are collect­ your Own and far to the Shaker Heights Planetarium. ed by Patricia Lipovska. Conference n""rt-"~ln"'nt-" Lawrence Krauss (of The Physics of Star Trek The new yearly publication of Italian MAPS' latest picmetar'imn fame) came over from Case Western Reserve planetaria is named Tuttoplanetari (All-plan­ The Sky Above Mister University to speak to astronomy and etaria). It contains different contributions and get a chance to meet Fred physics classes at the school. Three modern­ concerning the activities of Italian domes program has been created to fill the many day Maya from Guatemala shared their and much useful information. It includes the requests we get for shows. knowledge of keeping their ancient calendar. IPS information leaflet translated into Italian how the program works and see if it CRAP meetings were held at Garfield on 19 and the summary of Planetarian issues pub­ for your dome. The staff of Commu- September and at Strongsville on 15 Novem­ lished in 2000. nications Inc. (the creators of Mister ber. Ohioans plan to assemble on 31 March The next Meeting of the French-Speaking Neighborhood) have also to work­ 2001 for a dual-site spring state meeting. Association will be held in Italy on 5-7 May. shops on information to the very They will meet at the Hoover-Price Plane­ The first day will be in Milan Planetarium youngest learners. tarium at Canton's McKinley Museum, and devoted to the Italian and French plane­ Add in a of papers, where David Richards is the new planetari­ tarium experiences in the field of the diffu­ posters, vendor demonstrations and infa­ um director. Later, they will move over to sion of astronomy in the schools. Partici­ mous "Taurus Sessions", and this conference nearby Wilmot for a look at the new Silk pants will be hosted in a convent hotel near is an event you won't want to miss. Check Planetarium at the Wilderness Center. Plans Garda Lake. During the second day, the astro­ out the conference web site at if you have any \..JUL."'''' Wisconsin/Minnesota. The wrecking ball program includes also a post-conference tour already received in""i!1""'" should be swinging at the doors of the to Venice. Costs for three days are 230.000 Erie, PA and as far away as '--''-AAU.«H Minneapolis Planetarium in late 2002. This liras (per person in double room), 250.000 India, so we hope you will join us at the con­ destruction will make room for the con­ liras (single room), plus liras 85.000 of regis­ ference as we start a new millennium of struction of a brand new one on the same tration fees (see . pages of planetarium education. site by late 2005. A city referendum for a Science). new library building passed on 7 November which provides the space for the new plane­ Middle Atlantic Planetarium The new Space and exhibition tarium. Money still needs to be raised from Society at National Museum of Natural in the state legislature and private sources. Plans for the MAPS 2001 Conference in Stockholm, opened in November. The exhi­ Pittsburgh at the Carnegie Science Center's bition, which was created Mariana Back, Planetaria's Friends Associ- Buhl Planetarium and the Pittsburgh Hilton is the museum's Cosmo­ are well on their way. The staff of the Buhl nova Space Theater and includes a Star The next Day ofPlanetaria will be held on Planetarium is trying to make the confer­ etarium among its several exhibits. Contact 18 March (see Planetarian 4/00). This day is ence more worthwhile and informative than Mariana Back for the annual occasion for each planetarium to ever, so please put 9-12 May 2001 into your more information. inform the public about the distribution and calendar. As a consequence of the of a new the activities of planetaria in the world, the Some of highlights of the conference are: large Science Center in Goteborg, Universe­ initiatives of the International Planetarium "Stargazing" at The Andy Warhol Muse­ urn, Experimentum in Floda outside G6te­ Society and the problem of light pollution. um.Join the portraits of the rich and famous borg closed down earlier this month. In fact the planetarium is generally the as we fill the galleries with Starlabs, at a mentum's founding director Man­ perfect reproduction of the real sky with all unique evening for exchanging ideas on pre­ gold will work with academic-·industrial the naked eye celestial bodies that both sentation and story telling at the opening contacts at Chalmers in G6teborg. Unfor­ adults and children don't have the possibili­ reception on Wednesday night. tunately, Universeum will not have a ty to know due to strong limitations of the Visit to the Millennium Theater at the tarium, in of its name and the VHLloOU.UU sky of the very populated areas. The plane­ Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This plans to include one. tarium is then the only instrument able to Panoramic SkyVision Theater by Sky Skan A new science center is to be cre- show, above the head of onlookers, an exact presents programs on a variety of topiCS. ated at the site of classic radio sta- view of the night sky without the light pol­ Besides viewing their latest show, partici­ tion at Grimeton near Varberg at the lution. At the same time it is the most power­ pants will have a chance to explore innova­ Swedish west coast. This is a joint be­ ful tool to make knowledge both of the tive interactive techniques being used in this tween University of Telemuseum problem and of the technical solutions to theater that were created in conjunction in Stockholm, and the regional museums in reduce the diffusion of the artificial light with students at the Theater Department at Varberg and Halmstad. Contact Cecilia upwards. The planetarium is a monument to Carnegie Mellon University. Anderberg for the night sky as it had been visible in the First Planetarium Crawl. We want to be more information. past. The programs of the Day sent to Italian able to show you a variety of theaters in the Also Mora, in the middle of Sweden, has Planetaria's Friends Association will be made Pittsburgh area. Instead of pre and post con­ started to move towards a communal available in the Internet site (pages of Science). Planetarium Crawl that will allow all partici- tution in collaboration between the com-

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian munity and local companies. A temporary GPPA, and SWAP affiliates, will be hosted by . Or you can send Science Center - including a giant Starlab Jon Elvert at the Lane ESD Planetarium in ment to: Astronomical Society of the Pacific, dome - was set up during the Lucia week in Eugene, Oregon. Dates are 4-7 October. Mem­ Cosmos 2000 Offer, 390 Ashton Ave., mid-December and it was a great success bers of these affiliates will be receiving fur­ Francisco, CA 94112. Outside the U.S., with well over a thousand visitors. Contact ther information via snail and electronic add an additional $5 additional and project initiator Ingrid Herrdin for more information. web page at . please add sales tax. ' A new one-semester course, Communi­ The Lane ESD Planetarium has signed a let­ cating science, will start next fall at Univer­ ter of intent to purchase a full-dome Sky­ Sity of Dalarna. The course will be bilingual Vision system. There are also plans to build a ation (Swedish and English) and students will be new, larger planetarium at a new site. The beginning of the new millennium able to, among other tasks, create both a At the July 2000 meeting of the Astro­ marked the beginning of the term of a new planetarium show and an interactive exhibi­ nomical Society of the PaCific, over 150 president for SEP A. Dave Maness (Peninsula tion. Since Swedish universities (at least for astronomy instructors from around the Planetarium in Newport News, the time being) are tuition-free also for stu­ country met for three days to discuss tech­ took over the office from outgoing ,","'L,,,;,~~v.-I- dents from abroad, spending half a year in niques for teaching the introductory college George Fleenor (Bishop Planetarium, Braden­ Sweden could be very worthwhile for young astronomy course for non-science majors. ton, Florida). Maness has a hard act to follow aspiring planetarians. Course coordinator (The meeting was co-sponsored by the as Fleenor was responsible for the rY\llni .....,I',,",_ Lars Broman, , can be contacted American Astronomical Society, and sup­ etarium show Saving the Night which was for more information. ported by NSF and NASA.) All the presenters first distributed to all SEPA members and During the Nordisk Science Center F6r­ were asked to prepare handouts, so that par­ subsequently made available to all IPS mem­ bund (Association) board meeting in late ticipants could take home a written record bers. Fleenor also established strong ties to October, the possible joining of NSCF and of the proceedings. the International Dark-sky Association (IDA) NPA was discussed. Since then NSCF Rules Now the non-profit Society is making a which is a strong global proponent of con­ have to be changed, no decision could be 334-page loose-leaf collection of these hand­ trolling outdoor lighting and light pollution. taken. Since no-one at the present time is outs, entitled Cosmos in the Classroom 2000, Assuming the office of President Elect is pushing for a merger, not much is believed and edited by Andrew Fraknoi, available to Mike Sandras of Kenner, Louisiana. Mike will to happen in the near future, anyway. any astronomy instructors who were not assume the office of President in 2 years. Broman Planetarium has created a new able to attend. The 81 papers cover such top­ SEP A is looking forward to hosting a and exciting home page with animations, ics as: conference in Richmond, Kentucky this music and much more on line: . Interested in technology in students really learn. vene at the Hummel Planetarium at Eastern mathematics education? Then the inter­ * Better ways of assessing student perfor­ Kentucky University inJune for what Nordic TiM network maybe is something for mance than boring multiple-choice ises to be a meeting of epic proportions. Each you! Check the homepage for more informa­ * Ways to get out of lecture mode, even in numbers of attendees at their respective con­ tion. Subscibe to TiM Newsletter by means big classes. ferences and the combined conference of an e-mail to . departmen ts. national participants are always welcome! Those who are interested in the Nordic * Using science fiction to teach astronom­ Visit our website at Planetarium Scene are invited to subscribe to ical concepts. for more details. the approximately bi-monthly Nordic * Teaching tools on the Internet. Dale Smith's recent article in the Plane­ Planetarium Electronic Newsletter NPEN by * Favorite demonstrations (from a num­ tarian on the distribution and geographical sending a note to . ber of veteran teachers). make-up of IPS ignited some controversy Backnumbers are available at . The latest issue contains, other interdisciplinary topiCS. following remarks from Dave Maness among others, a report by Olga Stankiewicz * Resource guides to readings, software, "HMMMM ... I could say something abou~ from the ECSITE Conference 16-18 Novem­ and web sites. the next SEPA president who comes from a ber 2000 in Naples, Italy. * Ways of responding to creationism (and State that IPS doesn't recognize as part of the Teknoland's 5¥9 m 2 exhibit Kepler's Dance, religious issues in general) in your class­ SEPA region, but naah./I Instead Maness which gives the users a "whole body on" room. chose the following, "As the true millenni­ experience of the three planetary laws by * "Some things I wish I had known when I um comes to a close, I would wish everyone Johannes Kepler, now exists also in Norway, started teaching". the best for the next 1000 years. With the where Teknoteket in Oslo recently has built Both experienced instructors and those success of the Saving the Night program, I its own version. Construction instructions new to astronomy teaching will find a great hope and believe that there will be more and license are available at a low cost. If you deal of interest to them in this volume. opportunities to work together on ...., ....";,-,,,-1-, are interested, please send a note to Many of the materials and guides are pub­ that can benefit planetarians from around . lished for the first time, and cannot be found the world." in any other format. Pacific Planetarium Association The book is available for $24.95 (plus $5 This year's Great Western Alliance Meet­ shipping and handling in the U.S.) It may be ordered through the Society's mail order cat­ ing, more commonly known as Quadruple alog (item BO 260) by calling 1-800-335-2624. The Texas 2000 Conference was hosted Conference, representing the PP A, RMPA, The catalog is also available on line at: the Southwest Association of Planetariums 4-

46 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March 2001 8 October 2000 in Dallas, Texas. Member October with an opening welcome by SWAP ipants to choose to visit the Digistar facility associations of the Western Alliance (SWAP, president Barbara Baber and a talk by Mari­ at the University of North Texas or visit RMPA, GPP A, PPA) and other guests attended anne Dyson (National Space Society). Day three school planetariums in the North this successful meeting. one included numerous paper presentations Dallas area (Richardson, Mesquite, and Gar­ A pre-conference tour (Space City 2000) and workshops. In addition to finding out land). was held in Houston 2-4 October. Attendees what others in the planetarium field are Saturday (day three) the group headed visited the Houston Museum of Natural His­ doing, there were talks by the National Space south on a trip to Corsicana to visit Navarro tory, Johnson Space Center, and the Burke Society, Texas Astronomical Society, Lock­ College and their Digistar facility. Following Baker Planetarium. The 4 October agenda heed-Martin, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the return to the conference hotel, the ban­ included a Full Dome Festival in the planetar­ the Space Telescope Science Institute. Also, quet featured keynote speaker, Caroline ium with numerous all-sky video demon­ displays from National Space Society, Texas Collins-Peterson of Sky Publishing Corpora­ strations. The post-conference tour went to Astronomical Society, American Association tion. the Fossil Rim Ranch & Dinosaur Valley of Amateur Astronomers and the Astronom­ The local flavor of the conference was pro­ State Park at Glen Rose. The Texas 2000 Con­ ical League, Lockheed-Martin, and the Dallas vided by the entertainment of cowboy sto­ ference convened at the Harvey Hotel - Amateur Rocket SOciety were set up. And, of ryteller Don Sanders, a dinner trip to the Dallas on Wednesday evening, 4 October course, displays and information from "West End" area of downtown Dallas, and a with early registration and a reception. numerous supporting vendors were avail­ Texas-size steak at Trail Dust Steak House. The conference schedule included invited able. The meeting adjourned with all member speakers, paper presentations, workshops, Vendors' presentations and regional meet­ organizations of the Western Alliance agree­ and visits to local planetarium facilities. The ings highlighted the morning of day two. ing to meet again in Eugene, Oregon 3-7 meeting officially began on Thursday,S The Friday afternoon agenda allowed partic- October 2001. {;(

IOOKihg for

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian 47 SP CE CREATORS

Mauna Kea, The Australian Outback, The Space Shuttle in Orbit and A Goto GSS ... Helios Planetarium Theater. .... What do all these places have in common? A spectacular view of a crisp, clear star field!

So what are you waiting for? Why not experience it?

Shonandai Culture Center

GSS-Helios The GSS-Helios (GSX) features 25,000 stars reproducing a sky seen only from space. Digital shutters mean panoramas without stray stars twinkling through the image. Computer-assisted functions give manual mode the ease of auto mode without replacing the lecturer. The list of special GOTO features goes on and on. Contact your nearest representative and find out what your planetarium could be like.

The GI014si offers Space Simulator functions plus GOTO's exclusive automatic lamp replacement mechanism. No more shows lost to lamp burnout. With the G 1014si, your spare lamp leaps into action with a simple touch of a button at the console. Simple, fast and efficient. That's a GOTO Planetarium.

GOlD OPTICAL MFG. CO. 4-16 Yasaki-cho Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183 JAPAN TEL: IntI No. +81-423-62-5312 FAX: IntI No. +81-423-61-9571 Email: [email protected] GI014si • ence supported by the International Plane­ Shawn Laatsch if you reside within Unit- I t tarium Society in his home country of Sri ed States of America or your coordi- res Lanka in this special year of 2001. You can nator for the most up-to-date information read more about that conference later. about the slide service. First, onto some important items in Soci­ ety activities, after which I will continue my ramblings. The following few items relate to I am thrilled to announce the return of items that Dale Smith worked on very hard the Foundation script contest. It Martin during his term as President and I will con­ has been a few years since we last ran this tinue to pursue in the following months. Exploration contest. Now, the of Dale, by the way, has just returned from a the Eugenides Foundation, the contest is 300 N Mclean Blvd wonderful trip to Antarctica, thus complet­ back. I would like to use this opportunity to ing a lifetime's ambition to visit every conti­ Wichita, KS thank the Eugenides Foundation in support- nent on this blue planet, something he did at [email protected] the creativity of the planetarium field in his own expense but to great benefit to this this way. It is a tremendously valuable aspect Society. Thank you, Dale, for your hard Welcome to the new millennium, and the of this work. I encourage you as IPS work, and welcome back! I look forward to year 20m! It is startling to me, who as a child members to enter the contest. The first continued dialogue with you now as saw the movie/film 2001: A Space Odyssey, a is a check for $US700. The runner up will Past-President. Your shoes are tremendously movie that changed a generation and trig­ receive $US300.Submit your new hard to fill. gered many to dream great things, that the between 1 and December 31, 2001. IPS The following news items relate to what year 2001 is actually here. Do you remember has Steve Tidy as the con- you, the membership, get from IPS and can back in the 1960s the idea that perhaps the test Coordinator. Please take a moment to be an encouragement to those who are not entire world would be able to communicate read important details about the contest in members to join the organization. with each other instantaneously? We all im­ Steve's article earlier in this issue of the Plan­ agined that this would be done via TV or etarian. IPS thanks Alan Davenport who ful­ radio, with small wrist worn appliances that Slide Service filled the Coordinator role so well prior to could call anyone on the planet. Who would The best of intentions by IPS do not al­ Steve. have imagined that the internet would pro­ ways work out the way we had planned, and vide the communications revolution. It's a the Slide Service is an example. Some of you Disk who joined the service are perhaps wonder­ revolution that is impacting us in many A second video disk is being prepared as ing whether to continue for a second season, ways. Nearly all IPS council deliberations you read this article (I know because I am take place via email. It makes international since only one set of slides were released in nr,:.n::orinlu it for you). Having a the first. You are quite right to wonder. communication easy. number of planetarium shows in the past Admitting that things weren't perfect is the I recently received a nice email from a for­ that have included video disks, and also hav­ first step to ensuring that we all work hard to mer President of IPS, Dr Jeanne Bishop, who ing a few available make sure the second season of the slide ser­ commented to me that all her council deal­ video disks, I can ten you that the IPS Video ings were done before email. How the world vice is a good one. In the past year we have Disks are incredible value for money. cleared a few bumps in the road with the has changed in the past fifteen years! costing over $700 in US currency, Yet as I grew up there was one person who slide service. What you won't know until pnJQll1Clng a series for its members at you read this is what is being planned to the dreamt of those ideas and wrote about them, shipping. The second disk will second round. Nearly all of the have both in works of fact and fiction. I am speak­ include the wonderful "Mars Compilation" been ironed out, largely due to excellent ing, of course, about Arthur C. Clarke. A the Jet Laboratory. This is work by Dale Smith and Thomas the visionary and practical prophet in his own in time for the wonderful opposition of Mars great support of Jeff Bowen at Bowen Pro­ lifetime, it is perhaps lesser known that that occurs in June (mid-winter, of course, Arthur Clarke was also a member of the ductions, and the good offices of Anita Sohus for our southern hemisphere members). British Astronomical Association, a society at JPL and John Stoke at the Space Telescope Enclosed in the mailing envelope with Science Institute. I can assure you that the of amateur astronomers in which I am proud this issue of the Planetarian is an order form efforts by these fine people have laid the to be a long-time member. I had the privilege for this video disk. If the order form is no of collating all of Clarke's works in the BAA groundwork for a very good season of slide with this issue, please contact our Journal for use by the publisher of his scien­ releases that will come right to your desk Treasurer for details. the near future if you sign up for the slide tific autobiography, Ascent to Orbit, pub­ The video disk is produced in one format, lished in 1984. My signed copy is my most service. You won't want to miss them. The NTSC, so that we can provide the disk for the treasured possession. new period started on February I, 2001. I widest possible market, allowing IPS to sell Meeting Arthur briefly at the press show­ have seen some of the slides that will be on the disks at the lowest possible cost. ing of the movie 2010: Odyssey Two in Lon­ their way to you soon after you sign up. You A third disk is in the works, but as a small will be able to incorporate them into your don along with his wonderfully friendly with limited resources, we have to shows on current astronomy, use in talks brother, Fred Clarke, was an additional treat wait until the bulk of the second disk is sold, and lectures, and add to your growing for me personally. I will never forget those so The sooner you buy this one, the library of astronomical images. They will brief meetings. His writings, especially Report sooner more material will become available also keep you up to date on the most recent on Planet Three, did for me in England what to you. slide releases. This second season of the new Carl Sagan did for a generation years later If you are a non-member and wish to IPS Slide Service promises to be a good one with his series Cosmos. Now this year Arthur the video disk, you can do so at a and I encourage you to sign up. Contact Clarke will grace with his presence a confer- However, do consider that for

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian an extra $10 above the non-member's price even with great changes, for the future of of the disk, you can become a full member of our profession. The planetarium is here to IPS, and so additionally receive your own stay for the 21st century, worry not. copy of this journal, and take advantage of Soon, perhaps within the next ten years, all the other services IPS offers. You will also the "pitless planetarium" will appear a plan­ know that you are a member of a society of etarium theater with no projection system in your professional colleagues. the center of the room (the best seat in the in the same house). The projection system of the future tance will be hidden behind the dome. Photo-qual­ ity stars and full color images will sprinkle As you receive this issue of the Planetarian, our domes, but with a 3-dimensional reality nearly 100 delegates from many countries that will cause our profession to grow are preparing to congregate in Sri Lanka for a beyond its own wildest dreams. Gone, per­ fine conference to discuss astronomy and haps, will be the audience's awe of the cen­ education. The conference itself is a product tral projection system and they will be left of some very hard work done by Dale Smith with magiC of the itself - alone with the and Dr T T.C Samaranayaka, and IPS is hon­ many of you ored to have the opportunity to share some universe. After all, that is our collective to inspire our visitors a lifelong interest in devise new and creative ways to of our work with Arthur C Clarke, who lives the magic and majesty of the Radical, drama of the universe on your in Sri Lanka and whom I mentioned at the maybe, but fear not. One thing is certain. LAHV,-",,-H collaboration beginning of this column. Every audience will still wonder how we do This conference is also an excellent oppor­ it and ask the same questions of just how the pn)te:;;silr... ,...;~,~ ships for the future. elements to our shows, it seems reasonable to new computer };U'IJ'ULJ resent some dramatic ""trAlnh·""l,..."l So here we are in 2001, a world where dis­ say that each of our shows attracts a certain kind of audience. Indeed, some theaters and is to thousands of coveries include extra-solar planets and an around the world cater for week in some accelerating universe. A world where our It is these rli"T<:"·";.j-~, domes are undergOing a revol ution, re­ ..,.~LAH"""-' it is your uni­ inventing the planetarium for a new millen­ versity department. Other institutions, usual­ nium. Recently I flew through a very de­ ly the larger ones, cater for a broad audience; tailed, almost photographic, three-dimen­ schools, general public, special groups and so sional model of the Orion nebula - yes, on. This might seem like a simple statement, "flew" through it. At least that was the vivid but whoever you audience might be, impression left in my brain after seeing a to understand "who" you are full-dome video presentation. After years of ing to is the key to success. I would encour­ viewing this stunning and beautiful nebula though my own telescopes and gasping at age those of our member institutions who sometimes see falling audiences, take up the each generation's dramatically successful challenge to try something bold and new. number of feHows of this attempts to image it, most recently with the The ride can be rough, but there is never all take this aspect of our work very infra-red camera on the European Very Large dull moment. and I am humbled and honored Telescope, I was actually there! The resolu­ I have been fortunate in my career to have you in the role of President. tion of video keeps improving, year after used every type of planetarium projector, One of my aims year. Three years ago the very idea that we from an inflatable planetarium, through an is to increase the m1errlbe'fslhio planetarians could take our audiences "into" electromechanical star projector, a the spectacular nebulae that we have been planetarium projector, and now a inter­ showing them from afar was a mere pipe active, full-color all-dome system. I count dream. We could only imagine it! Now we myself very lucky to have worked in facili­ can do it - and it is breathtaking. The beauty is awe-inspiring. What an industry, and what ties that demanded the creation of new things. I have worked for boards and man­ a time to be alive. It gives me great hope, agers who had a vision of the nOf- comes

50 Planetarian This is your society, one that you can con­ to the American Astronomical -.,.-,.r-1t""-" al component, and the increased tribute to. If you are a new member and wish Conference in San Diego. This was my planetarians at this conference, at to know how to use your skills to make a such visit to an AAS conference. There were United States, will serve our pr()te~;siCln contribution, please let me or one of the at least eight concurrent sessions, morning The next will be held other officers know. If you are a long-time and afternoon, combined with poster papers (northern .... ",·...... "..,,',..,"'.·0 member, and have not contributed yet, now that changed on each day of the four day fornia. Check is the time. Let's hear from you. In particular, conference, amoun ting to thousands of details. I would encourage you to look at the maps papers representing the last six month's of of the world in Dale Smith's last President's research. The meeting was held in collabora­ message in the December 2000 issue of the tion with the American Association of elect, Jon Elvert, to the , ...... ,..... "J'I-'

Planetarian. In his excellent review of the Physics Teachers. A total of 3,000 people brings a wealth of '1.-.1\.1./ .... ' ...... state of the world's planetariums, the maps attended, the largest ever. The pace of ad­ edge, and like me is an ex-patriot EUlro"()ealn! show how many planetariums there are, and vancement is phenomenal, and these meet­ Both of us will strive to continue how many IPS members there are. It is my ings capture the pace and excitement of lent work of Dale Smith in ... Uc"..HJ'u .... hope that in two years time, the gap today's astronomical world. Attendance at tinue to be an international between the number of domes and number these meetings, at least once per year, has thanks to Dale Smith does seem of IPS members has reduced. always been a part of my activities as a plan­ what he has done for IPS. However,

etarian, and I would encourage other US­ and dedication toward IPS will 'LV!ALU!"'­ American Astronomical Society based IPS members to try and attend. The some Let me tell you briefly of my recent visit AAS have an ever-growing active education- time!

MI

ALSO

Running time 32 minutes # of slides - 152 Amazing StaJl1lW~ng it Running time - 37 minutes time - 35 minutes CALL (612)630-6155 FOR # of slides - 172 # of slides - 270 MORE INFORMATION AND SAMPLE Hercules & Other ~1II1~ph~I"fil CASSETTES. OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE Running time - 30 minutes time - 34 minutes AT: WWW.MPLANETARUM.ORG # of slides - 120 # of slides - 120

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian

an excellent excuse to leave the USA to ex­ and parents of these very nice children. plore its neighbor to the north, Canada. After equally impressed by the colors, the music, a few nights in Niagara Falls, I went to my and the celebrity introductions that second favorite city in North America Fantasia 2000 a worthy sequel to the (Mon treal is #1) the capitol of On tario, nal. The opening sequence with the anima­ Toronto. I ventured out to see Cyberworld at tion cels flying through space was worth the 3D Imax in a reconditioned former $9.50 alone! Check out the online teachers movie house in the entertainment district. It guides at www.fantasia2000.com. P. Hughes was great to see The Simpsons jumping off the Madame Tussauds - The last time I was in Planetarium Producer screen at me, but the connecting story lack­ Times Square I was on my way to the MAPS ed a compelling plot. Computer bugs ala an conference at the Hayden in the 1980s. Back Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium animated roach commercial threaten the then, Times Square was full of XXX rated Observatory Cyberworld. I've found out that the tech­ movie houses, peep shows and porn culture. nique employed allows the animators to cre­ Now it is a canyon devoted to media and Carnegie Science Center ate this virtual world within a 3D database pop culture and smack dab in the middle of One Allegheny Avenue much like the technology sweeping our it all is the brand new Madame Tussauds Pittsburgh PA 15212 industry. Wax Museum. This was the second stop on While in Toronto, I wanted to find a place my itinerary. The folks at the Tussauds 412-237-3348 voice to visit that the whole family could enjoy. A Group obviously know what they are 412-237-3395 fax brochure in the hotel lobby caught my eye, If you attended the IPS Conference in Lon­ "Visit The Children's Own Museum". Upon don you know how amazingly life-like their [email protected] closer inspection I noticed the address, "In wax figures are. And unlike most American the McLaughlin Planetarium building @ wax museums, they allow you to get Museum subway", I knew that the planetari­ up to the figures and they even encourage Happy New Millennium um had been closed for some time so I just you to take lots of pictures. Well, like their I made a resolution last year to stop letting had to investigate. We paid $20 to crawl facility in London, they decided to install a life fly by and to start enjoying it more. This around in a lot of soft sculpture recreations planetarium-type experience and here on resulted in taking a few more trips and subse­ of real life. I was trying to imagine the space the fifth floor you will find, "It Happened In quently having a chance to see a few other when it was the lobby of the planetarium New York". Inside a 30 foot Astra-Tee dome planetaria and theaters. The start of a new that I had visited over 10 years ago. Gone was is an all dome video system by Evans and millennium and the passing of another the spectacular Stellarium and other multi­ Sutherland. The theater has a large birthday (40th on 1/15/01) prompted me to media treats. Instead of signs revealing the area with an 8 minute preshow. You then reflect on some of the things I've seen in the universe, I found signs on baskets for the col­ move into the (standing room only) theater. past few months. I hope you will have a lection of museum exhibit pieces. "Please Here is the premise of the show: It's chance to ponder some of the experiences place objects here if your child has put them on New Year's Eve and you are in your hotel you may have had recently. Now would be a in their mouth so that they can be sanitized, lobby and the doorman is trying to hail a good time for you to write some of those thank you!" I was a little melancholy as we cab so that you can get to Times things down and to send them to me so that put on our coats and were getting ready to before midnight. Along comes a horse drawn they can appear here in the near future. I leave. It was then that I noticed a wall fun of carriage that magically transports you want this to be your column, and I haven't paper stars and a banner proclaiming, "Buy a though space and time to witness some of heard from very many of you, so make a res­ star to put in our sky to support our muse- the greatest moments in New York his­ olution to contribute to your Gibbous um". tory. Gazette today. December - New York aty (Again) After this 12-minute magic carpet ride you September -New York City To close out the year, I went on a two day exit into a sizable gift shop so you can pur­ I missed the post IPS conference tour of getaway to explore NYC because I wanted to chase trinkets emblazoned with the images the Hayden Planetarium, so I made the pil­ see two shows that I knew would rekindle of Elvis Presley, Betty Boop, Lucile BaH,James grimage in September to see their first show my love of multimedia and show produc­ Dean, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles. This before it went away. Fantastic architecture! - tion. One was playing just down the street was definitely the place to do your holiday I think one reviewer said, "it is the greatest from my hotel at the Imax at the Sony shopping since they even have one-of-a-kind architectural achievement in America since Lincoln Square Theaters. Much to my disap­ movie star memorabilia for sale. These items, the Washington Monument was built over pointment, Fantasia 2000 had just closed in sometimes called Startifacts, range from 100 years ago." From the seat shakers to the Baltimore when I was there for the MAPS Cher's shoes priced at $335 a pair, to a $3500 Big Bang Theater the experience is first rate. conference last year. I even avoided purchas­ N'Sync Autographed Leather Jacket, to a The morning I was there, I encountered ing the 3 pack Special Edition DVD with the Marilyn Monroe worn dress for $14,000. A more security guards than exhibit explain­ hope that I might first see it in the venue for lock of Elvis' hair from his Army boot camp ers. The very young staff are kept busy mov­ which it was designed. I eagerly purchased a haircut goes for $2500 and an actual concert ing visitors through the multi-level floor ticket for the only showing of the day at ticket for the next show that he would have plan. If you want to take dramatic photos of 10:30 am. I went inside to find about 200 3rd given if he hadn't died was a bargain at $2001 the building at night, call ahead. When I was graders who had come for a field trip. The Instead of paying the full $19 admission there they had cleaning crews out doing the students were either extremely well be­ fee, I opted to purchase the Dome Show windows. haved, totally enthralled, or asleep because Only Ticket for $6.95. No one asked to see November -Toronto they didn't make a sound throughout the my ticket so I wandered up into the wax The American holiday of Thanksgiving is entire film. I have to commend the teachers works to meet the stars. You don't want to

Vol. No.1, March 2001 Planetarian miss the opportunity to have your picture manent director of the Planetarium and automation system. The 44A"~b'AA'4'''~ __ ' taken with the wax effigies of Neil Arm­ Astronaut Memorial Hall, in Cocoa, Florida. home to the premiere of Oasis in strong and Buzz Aldrin, Janis Joplin and Jimi Mark had been serving as acting director for show about water and our solar system Hendrix, Barbara Streisand and Yoko Ono, more than a year since the departure of for­ completely with custom 3D Woody Allen and Andy Warhol, Whoopi mer director, Ian Griffin who is now at the Spitz' Creative Media Department. The Ima­ Goldberg and Elton John and His Holiness StarDome Observatory in Auckland, New ginarium is part of the new .r.x.pu:)Ie~at··DI:.n:s;11~1 The Dalai Lama and Yasir Arafat (who looks Zealand. complex. Find out more at www.at-bristol. a lot like a mature Ringo Star). Rob Landis (formerly of Abrams, Strasen­ org.uk. Unexpected Surprises .... With very tired burg, STSCI and JSC) is headed to JPL in legs I jumped on the cross-town subway to Pasadena, California, to work on the Cassini Can You catch a ride over to Grand Central Station. I Mission to Saturn. Scott Pohl (Nimitz High School Planetar­ have never had the opportunity to see the Kelly Stammer (formerly with the Hal­ ium in Irving, Texas) is beginning to celestial mural on its ceiling, so, I thought I strom Planetarium in Fort Pierce, Florida) has things back in order after more than a year would go and have a look. I entered its grand joined the staff of Bishop Planetarium in of heavy construction that has his vaulted great hall and gazed up at the stars Bradenton. planetarium. The work involved encompass­ and constellations filling the immense space Carolyn Collins Peterson (formerly with ing the planetarium within the main school above. I knew of the mural but the knowl­ Sky & Telescope magazine) is now at complex. This involved the removal, reloca­ edge of it hadn't prepared me for its incredi­ OneCosmos.net, a cosmic internet portal tion, and addition of walls, bathrooms, work­ ble size. It was as if someone had taken a based in California. spaces, etc. Scott reported that one while planetarium and unrolled it high overhead. David Menke has taken over the director's using the planetarium, a wrecking baH came Soft Christmas music was playing. And there role at the Poinciana Elementary School crashing through one of the exterior walls. at the height of rush hour, elegant laser pat­ planetarium in Boynton Beach, Florida, He was mandated to continue running terns of snow flakes and candy canes floated replacing Kris Swanson who has assumed a etarium shows even though he couldn't amongst the stars. And for about 10 minutes job as media coordinator for the school sys­ make it dark at times! A service visit was a great many people did something that they tem. Dave also recently became a grandfa­ required to clean cement dust from interior very rarely do. They paused from their fran­ ther. components of the Spitz Star Projector. tic lives and they looked up and they mar­ American late night talk show host, David veled at the sky, even though it was an artifi­ Congratulations Letterman, complaining to NASA about the cial one. Then the music stopped and their to Jon Elvert (Lane ESD Planetarium in brightness of the ISS. He claims it's so mad ballet commenced. Eugene, Oregon) on his recent election to the that it keeps children awake at night. The young lady behind the cash register at office of IPS President-Elect. Thanks to the the gas station on the Pennsylvania Turn­ Elections Committee for chadless ballots! pike couldn't figure out why I was laughing to Tom Hocking (Moderator of Dome-L Karl von Ahnen of the Minol ta Planetar­ as I paid her for my fill up. There on the and formerly of Bowen Enterprises) and Deb ium at the De Anza College in counter was a display of laminated Elvis con­ Kranzel-Horan on their marriage on Friday, California offered up these ideas via Dorne-L: cert ticket stubs for the show he would have December IS, 2000. The couple will reside in "I don't really like the laser for given if he hadn't died. "These are a real bar­ the mountains of northeastern Pennsyl­ pointing out stars in the planetarium and gain at $2.00", I said, "they're selling for $200 vania. only use them as a backup. We also hand the up in New York City". "Oh," she said, "Next." to Rice Leland (Producer, Christa pOinters out into the audience so can Mcauliffe Planetarium in Concord, New partiCipate. So, what we use is a standard Hampshire) and her new husband Ron. They (cheap) flashlight with a perforated opaque to the friends and family of Mundo, were wed on September 30, 2000 and will disc placed in front of the regular lens, and a longtime South Florida planetarian, who make a home in Webster, NH. then a cheap projection lens taped with a passed away on Wed Oct 11, 2000. He was 40 to Joe Ciotti (Hokulani Planetarium at piece of cardboard in front of that, all years old. Larry was the planetarium techni­ Windward Community College in Kane'ohe, together to focus the dot at the average cian at Buehler Planetarium in Davie Florida Hawai'i) on his brand new planetarium. In­ dome distance. A Kodalith mask with an during the mid 1980s. Since 1990 Larry had side you'll find an Evans and Sutherland arrow would work well. We just get been employed at the Space Place Planetar­ Digistar 2 complete with a Sky Skan Inter­ irregular spots with our pOinters, but they do ium, Miami Dade County Schools in Miami, active System, automation and ancillary pro­ the job. Another trick I have found for Florida as planetarium technician and con­ jection equipment. ing the cheap flashlights working is to sole operator. He was a true friend of the to Jose Olivarez on the opening of the new a small piece of wadded up aluminum foil planetarium field and enjoyed telling chil­ Ask Jeeves Planetarium at the Chabot Space under the lamp contact. The solder on the dren about the wonders of the universe. He & Science Center in Oakland, California. tips of the lamps gets smashed down after a will deeply be missed. Here you will find the Zeiss Universarium, while, and many rechargeable batteries have lasers, a MegaDome Theater and the Celestial a recess on the tip which makes for a bad Cafe. People On the Move connection. The small piece of aluminum to Orange Imaginarium, Bristol, U.K. Thomas W. Kraupe (former IPS President) foil works wonders." Thanks Karl! opened its Spitz ElectricSky Theater opened will head the new planetarium in Hamburg, Gene Zajac from the Shaker Heights in July 2000. The theater is inside a 40-foot Germany. The facility is in the base of an School Planetarium in Shaker Heights, Ohio diameter tilted dome theater with immer­ enormous water tower. Thomas hopes that takes every opportunity to share the of sive video panorama, 1024 star instrument, one day he can fill the tower will beer for his astronomy. Here is his idea as LED cove lights, laser projection, and sur­ visitors to enjoy! Dome-L. "To all with a telescope: Last round sound operating via Spitz ATM4 Mark Howard was recently named the per- was a great night for observing Halloween

54 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March 2001 and the stars. This is the third year in a row 1774 and 1781 by Eise Eininge to combat the that I sat outside with my telescope and 'superstitious nonsense' being written by candy. Every trick-or-treater was treated to newspapers about an upcoming planetary candy and the view of the moon. Not one alignment. Go to http://www.planetarium­ Art person passed either one up. Many told me friesland.nl (include the hyphen) to find out Museum, Amsterdam, the what they saw last year and the year before. more about it. exhibition will be seen in these two venues (Saturn and jupiter). My biggest regret is that You can buy optics, Soviet Buran Space alone. For a virtual visit I did not take a picture of the ghosts, hockey Shuttle heat shield tiles (US$79), and other .vangoghmuseum.nl/light. This exhibit players and monsters in line for their tum. artifacts of the Space Race for next to noth­ be one of the highlights of the Middle Parents were equally pleased and comment­ ing at www.sovietskLcom. Atlantic Planetarium conference in ed we were on their list of places to get to Telescopes, prisms, fireworks, photogra­ Pittsburgh from 9 12, 2001. Go to because of the telescope. I use a 10" Meade phy and electricity take center stage in Light! www.buhlplanetarium.org/MAPS for more with a 26mm eyepiece. The Industrial Age: 1750 - 1900 Art, Science, information. Since I was dressed as an astronaut, it Technology and Society from April 7 -july 29, The 37th annual GLPA conference will be prompted additional questions. This is a 2001, at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pitts­ held june 26-30, 2001. It will be a joint meet­ wonderful way to introduce people to the burgh, PA. During the Industrial Revolution, ing with the Southeastern Planetarium night sky. They are all in a great mood the ways people understood and used light Association and it will be hosted the before and after their encounter with our changed enormously. As a result, many Hummel Planetarium of Eastern 1\.ernW::KY treats." Thank you Gene! artists, such as the Impressionists, made light University in Richmond, the subject of their art. In Light! The Industri­ Fletcher is the director. For more informa­ Did You Know ... ? al Age 1750-1900, works of art, science, and tion, visit technology demonstrate how light changed The world's oldest working planetarium is GLP A/Index.html. the artist's studiO, the inventor's laboratory, If in Franeker in the Netherlands. It is a work­ you have information you'd like to see city streets, and the home. This cross-disci­ ing model of the Solar System built between here, send it to me at the address above. I plinary exhibition combines masterpieces of look forward to hearing from you ... !

I YOUR FREE L o LI lit It's a win-win situation. We invite you to send us your logo. We will create for you a FR EE enhanced version of your logo and output it onto 35mm film with its matching mm·MAIE SM mask. You get a free slide! We get to show you what we can do! We realized the unique challenges and problems associated with presenting shows in a pitch-black domed environment. We have devised a variety of techniques which overcome many of the pitfalls that still plague planetariums today. We give you brilliant, perfectly masked images and breathtaking seamless panoramas. We offer. Custom Graphics (for presentations, print, video &Web) • Slide Imaging Slide Duplication (optical or digital, large or small quantities) • Retouching Scanning • SpeCIal Effects • Custom Design, ConSUlting & Training

• 28 years of photography experience iI Focus on special effects • 24 years of multi-media shows &graphics II State-of-the-art digital equipment II 22 years of planetarium slide production II Innovative computer graphic skills • High quality slides &services at a fair price It 40 +national & international awards showdoc @ swbelLnet THE craig jakubs is the show doctor SHOW 6135 dewey avenue ~DOCTORTM st. louis, rna 63116 Innovative Concepts in Multi-Media 314.353.3339

Vol. 30, No.1, March 2001 Planetarian come. So, I realized that the New Jersey what were called "Drinking Gourd" program was perfect. I had ery era. He said that "Follow the to teach, at Jed grade level, about several con­ Gourd" is the only song of this genre stellations, including the": Big Dipper". I was vive. "We don't know the Jane G. Hastings also supposed to demonstrate the uniqueness any of the others," he said. "We of the placement of the North Star. And, they existed, that directions for. u. "YlIV un: jefferson Planetarium because January and February are 3rd grade specific routes north were memorized 4100 W. Grace St. months at the planetarium, I could throw in potential escapees in these a little black history to my predominantly added this information to my lesson. Richmond, Virginia "'-_R.4<-_" ..... African-American students during Black I hit on a treasure one jhast [email protected] History month. It all came together; a perfect someone had made a match except for one thing: I was also sup­ was for sale. I bought it. I remembered posed to teach about the rotation of the dipper I had that my had A Drinking Gourd Story: earth. the well in his yard, before DillmbmlR: Hey, who doesn't like a good challenge? indoors at his house in 1925. It looked Many planetarians have heard, by now, of Easy for a planetarian, right? Here's a brief like the drinking gourd: both had the planetarium show produced several outline for my Jed grade lesson: I start with a dIes and a scoop-shaped years ago by the New Jersey State Planetar­ 20-minute segment of earth rotation which end. I took them both to the ium called "Follow the Drinking Gourd". The includes looking at a spinning globe, then and showed them to 3rd graders when show is based on a fictional children's story imagining we are on the globe, looking at them to figure out those seven by Jeannette Winter with the same name. the sky for 24 hours. During this segment, I the sky were called (in first .:>C:j"UJlLU It was very cheap ($125, I think), as plane­ am very careful to make sure that everyone "dipper" and (in second segment) tarium shows go, so the thought of ordering sees what the "Big Dipper" looks like, and gourd". it was appealing. A lot of planetarium shows that the North Star doesn't move when the In the autumn, grocery stores and are over $500, way over my budget. I decided earth turns. stands sell what they call "ornamental to try it out. I wasn't sure how I was going to Now begins my 2nd 20-minute segment. I gourds". They are small and use it. say something like this: "Now we are going colored when freshly When the planetarium show kit arrived, it to start over, as if you just walked into the encouraged to buy them to make faU had some slides, a video which also served as planetarium. I would like to share a little tive arrangements for the home. I sound track, and a script. As I read the script, piece of American history with you. About bunch of them. I discovered that if you several things stood out: 200 years ago, black children in the Southern them sit around for awhile, some would 1. The show was about the constellation United States were slaves ... " Now the New Others, however, will dry out, become very called "Ursa Major (Big Dipper)" In cer­ Jersey show tape cuts in, beginning with a light in weight, and when the seeds tain segments of the population in the short discussion of the horrible life of slaves, loose themsel ves from the sides, United States, this constellation was which encouraged them to escape to non­ shake gourds and come up with once called "The Drinking Gourd"; slave regions up north. "They traveled at rhythm instruments for music. 2. It was about the role of Polaris (the night [when they escaped] so that no one that maracas are really gourds (at least North Star) in locating the direction could find them. [Visitors to the plantations original ones were). north, and the "Drinking Gourd's" role who were sympathetic to the plight of slaves I asked people with gardens if in finding the North Star; and often secretl y tried to hel p them. They gourds. I begged for ones didn't 3. It was about a time in history of great would teach the slaves a song: 'Follow the got some really nice big ones, of r!;J'fDlrt>r,t concern to Americans: the era of slavery Drinking Gourd']". I play the song. then we shapes and sizes. Wow! coli ection in the U.S. figure out how learning a song about follow­ growing! I began to see real possibilities for a school ing a "drinking gourd" could help you find I found a round gourd, about 10 inches lesson. I am required by the school division north. After they are led to see that the cm) in diameter, which had a I-inch (21/2 to teach certain concepts in the planetarium "Drinking Gourd" is another name for the circular opening cut in one side. It for at certain grade levels. This is because state­ "Big Dipper," they could figure out how the sale; it was a birdhouse. I I saw, wide curriculum goals, called "Standards of Drinking Gourd could be used to find the while riding around in the country, lots of Learning (SOLs)" are mandated and evaluat­ North Star. It was the star to be used at night these "bird house gourds"; I had ed at the end of the year by state-adminis­ to figure out which way was north, heading noticed them before. tered tests. If the students in your school toward freedom. The lesson ends when we A friend grew some gourds one year her don't do well, your school, as well as similar­ sing the song together and then see a short garden. Gourds grow on a vine and ly failing schools in the school division, are clip from the N.]. video of part of the fiction­ out quickly. She gave me a few. The next put on probation. If the SOL scores don't alJeannette Winter story. year, she did not plant any seeds, but improve, the school is not to be accredited. I tried out my outline on real classes: the ones from the year before came back As a matter of fact, the SOLs have not been everyone loved it! I had a winner! But it with a vengeance, threatening to take over around long enough for any schools to lose could be improved, I thought. So I began to the whole garden. I got more. accreditation. As a result of being under this do some research. I found three recordings of I began to wonder why I would often swinging hatchet, NO ONE ASSOCIATED the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" from the music called "The Sorcerer's WITH THE SCHOOL DIVISION TEACHES the 1960s when it apparently had a renewal sounding in my ear, as I visualized ANYTHING BUT SOLs. Sad, but true. If it among folk Singers. I found out, from inter­ Mouse in the Walt Disney classic: Fantasia. ain't a SOL, no one teaches it. viewing Dr. Christopher Brooks, a college That includes the planetarium. If the professor from Virginia Commonwealth 39) lessons are not SOL-related, no one will University, that this song is an example of

56 Planetarian Vol. Just like a A planetanum grown-up on the road