PLANETARIAN Journal of the International Planetarium Society Vol. 27, No. I, March 1998
Articles 5 Wide-angle Slide Projection ...... Frank Andrews, Richard Hall, and Wayne Orchiston 6 Invitation to San Francisco Bay Area for IPS 2002 ...... Michael Reynolds and Jose Olivarez 7 Laser Display Professionals Meet ...... Jack Dunn 8 Fellows of the IPS ...... Phyllis Pitluga
Features 10 Book Reviews ...... April S. Whitt 15 Planetarium Memories ...... Kenneth E. Perkins 17 Regional Roundup ...... Lars Broman 23 Forum: Reinventing the Planetarium ...... Steve Tidey 27 Computer Corner ...... Ken Wilson 30 Gibbous Gazette ...... Christine Shupla 33 What's New ...... Jim Manning 39 Planetechnica: Soldering Basics ...... Richard McColman 41 Mobile News Network ...... Sue Reynolds 43 President's Message ...... Thomas Kraupe 46 Jane's Corner ...... Jane Hastings Seeing Is Believing! In The U.S. & Canada contact Pearl Reilly: 1-800-726-8805 fax : 1-504-764-7665 email : [email protected]
Aufflonzoo DlSlntJur", of ZetSS Plaflelilnums In The Umtoo Stares & Canada Carl Zeiss, Planelarium Division 0-07740 Jena ~SEILER +49-3641-642406, fax: -643023 email: [email protected] I N B TRLJIVlENT 170 E. Kirkham Ave ., St.louis. MO 63119 Planetarium Office: #28 Houmas Place, Destrehan, LA 70047 The Planetarian (ISN 0090-3213) is published quarterly by the International Planetarium Society. ©1998, International Planetarium Society, Inc., all rights reserved. Opinions explressed Planetarian 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 Vol. 27, No.1 material does not imply endorsement by the International Planetarium Society, its officers agents. The Editor welcomes items for consideration for publication. Please consult (or ,.o""""",,·j-I March 1998 "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.
Executive Editor John Mosley IN D EX F ERTI Griffith Observatory 2800 E. Observatory Road Buhl Planetarium ...... Los Angeles, California 90027 USA (1) 213-664-1181 work phone Davis Planetarium ...... (1) 818-708-7314 home fax [email protected] East Coast Control Systems ...... Evans & Sutherland ...... cover Advertising Coordinator Sheri Barton Trbovich Goto Optical Manufacturing Ott Planetarium Weber State University Learning Technologies, Inc...... 2508 University Circle Miami Space Transit Planetarium ...... Ogden, UT 84408-2508 USA (1) 801-626-7907 Minolta Corporation ...... (1) 801-626-7445 fax Planetarium Concert [email protected] R. S. Automation ...... cover Membership Individual: $40 one year; $70 two years Seiler Instruments ...... cover Institutional: $150 first year; $75 annual renewal Sky-Skan, Inc ...... Library Subscriptions: $24 one year Direct membership requests and changes ofaddress Spitz, Inc ...... to the Treasurer Membership Chairman; see next page for address and contact information. L P. S. Job Information Service To receive word of new position openings in the planetarium field, send up to six soci itors self-addressed stamped envelopes to: S. Fentress, Director Strasenburgh Planetarium Jon U. Bell P.O. Box 1480 Opening the Dome Rochester, New York 14603 USA Lars Broman Chrtstine ....n .•'''''!-;,,''-' Back Issues of the Planetarian Regional l(,CIUDlQUlP Gibbous tia.zelu::e Available from: Jane G. Hastings Steve Tidey Charlene Oukes Jane's Corner Forwn IPS Back Publications Repository Strasenburgh Planetarium Richard McColman P.O. Box 1480 Planetechnica Rochester, New York 14603 USA Jim Manning Ken Wilson A cumulative index of major articles that have What's New COlmlPu1ter Corner appeared in the Planetarian from the first issue through the current issue is available on paper Kenneth Perkins ($12 ppd) or disk ($5 ppd) from the Exec. Editor. Planetariwn ME~mOrlleS Final Deadlines March: January 21; June: April 21 September: July 21; December: October 21 International Planetarium Soci World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.GriffithObs.org/IPSPlanetarian.html http://sunsite.unc.edu/ips
Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian President Executive Secretary IPS 2000 Conference Chair Elections Committee Clllabrman Thomas W. Kraupe Lee Ann Hennig, Planetarium Pierre Lacombe, Director Steven Mitch EuroPlaNet @ imagicX Thomas Jefferson High School Planetarium de Montreal Benedum Natural Science Rumfordstr. 41 6560 Braddock Road 1000 rue Saint-Jacques O. Center 0-80469 Muenchen (Munich) Alexandria, Virginia 22312 USA Montreal, gc H3C 1 G 7 Oglebay Park Germany (1) 703-750-8380 Canada Wheeling, WV 26003 USA +498921031531 (1) 703-750-5010 fax (1) 5148724530 (1) 304-243-4034 +498921031532 fax [email protected] (1) 5148728102 Fax (1) 304-243-4110 fax [email protected] pierre_lacombe@astro. umontreal. ca [email protected] Treasurer/Membership Chair President Elect Shawn Laatsch Historian/Photo-Archivist Awards Committee Dale Smith Arthur Storer Planetarium John Hare Phyllis Pitluga Planetarium 600 Dares Beach Road Ash Enterprises The Adler Planetarium Physics & Astronomy Dept. Prince Frederick, MD 20678 3602 23rd Avenue West 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive Bowling Green State University USA Bradenton, FlOrida 34205 USA Chicago. Illinois 60605 USA Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA (1) 410-535-7339 (1) 941-746-3522 (1) 312-322-0319 (1) 419-372-8666 [email protected] (1) 941-750-9497 fax (1) 419-372-9938 fax [email protected] [email protected] 1998 Conference Chair International Planetarium Undine Concannon Publications Chair Society Past President Planetarium Administrator April Whitt Jim Manning London Planetarium Fembank Science Center c/o Taylor Planetarium Taylor Planetarium Marylebone Road 156 Heaton Park Drive NE Museum of the Rockies Museum of the Rockies London NWl 5LR Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA Montana State Bozeman Montana 59717 USA England (1) 404-378-4314 ext 221 600 W. Kagy Blvd. (1) 406-994-6874 (44) 171-486-1121 (1) 404-370-1336 fax Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA (1) 406-994-2682 fax (44) 171-465-0862 fax [email protected] [email protected] conference: June 28 - July 2 IPS Web Site:
I .. P. So Affiliate RDn""D~Jt:J''" Association of French-Speaking European/Mediterranean (81) 3-3396-4391 Russian Planetariums Association Planetariums Planetarium Association (81) 3-3396-4393 fax Zinaida P. Sitkova Agnes Acker Dennis Simopoulos [email protected] Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium Planetarium Strasbourg Eugenides Planetarium Pokbyalinsky SYezd 5-A Universite Louis Pasteur Syngrou Avenue-Amfithea Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society Nizhny Novgorod. 603 001. Russia Rue de L'Observatoire Athens. Greece Laura Deines (7) 8312-34-21-51 6700 Strasbourg. France (30) 1-941-1181 Southworth Planetarium (7) 8312-36-20-61 fax 33-388 212042 (30) 1-941-7372 fax PO Box 9300 [email protected] 33-388212045 fax dps@eugenides_found.edu.gz Portland, Maine 04104-9300 (1) 207-780-4249 Southeastern Planetarium Assoc. of Mexican Planetariums Great Lakes Planetarium Assoc. (1) 207-780-4051 fax John Hare Ignacio Castro Pinal Susan Reynolds [email protected] Ash Enterprises Museo Technologico C.F.E. Onondaga-Cortland -Madison 3602 23rd Avenue West Apartado Postal 18-816 B.O.C.E.S. Planetarium Nordic Planetarium Association Bradenton, Florida 34205 USA CP 11870 Mexico City, D.F. Mexico P.O. Box 4774 Lars Broman (1) 941-746-3522 (52) 55-16-13-57 Syracuse, New York 13221 USA Broman Planetarium (1) 941-750-9497 fax (52) 55-16-55-20 fax (1) 315-433-2671 Ostra Hanmgatan 1 [email protected] (1) 315-433-1530 fax S-791 71 Falun, Sweden British Assoc. of Planetariums [email protected] (46) 2310 177 Southwestern Association Undine Concannon (46) 2310 137 (fax) Planetariums London Planetarium Great Plains Planetarium Assoc. [email protected] Wayne Wyrick Marlybone Road April Whitten. Business Mgr. http://www.nml.se/om/xtra Kirkpatrick Planetarium London NWI 5LR, England Mallory Kountze Planetarium /tc-wnpa.html 200 NE 52nd St. (44) 171-487-0227 60th & Dodge Streets Oklahoma City, OK 73111 USA (44) 171-465-0862 fax Omaha, Nebraska 68182 USA Pacific Planetarium Association (1) 405-424-5545 work (1) 402-554-2510 Jon Elvert (1) 405-424-5106 fax Canadian Council of Science (1) 402-554-3100 Lane ESD Planetarium wayne. [email protected] Centres [email protected] 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy John Dickenson. Managing Director Eugene, Oregon 97401 USA Ukranian Planetariums Pacific Science Centre Italian Planetaria's Friends Assoc. (1) 541-461-8227 Dr. Alexander P. Lenin 1100 Chestnut St. Loris Ranlponi (1) 541-687-6459 fax Republical Planetarium Vancouver. BC V6J 3J9 Canada National Archive of Planetaria [email protected] 57/3 Krasnoarmeiskaia Street 604-738-7817 ex 234 c/o Centro studi e ricerche Serafino http://www.efn.org/ -esd_plt/ Kiev 252 005. Ukraine 604-736-5665 fax Zani (744) 227-51-66 [email protected] via Bosca 24, CP 104 Rocky Mountain Planetarium (744) 227-51-43 fax 25066 Lumezzane (Brescia), Italy Association Council of German Planetariums (39) 30 298 3686 Mike Murray Prof. Dr. Dieter B. Hernllann (39) 30370 1048 fax Taylor Planetarium. Museum of the Zeiss-Grossplanetarium Berlin Rockies Prenzlauer Allee 80 Japan Planetarium Society 600 W. Kagy Blvd. D-10405 Berlin. Germany Soichi Itoh Bozeman, Montana 59717 +49-30-42184512 Suginami Science Education Center (1) 406-994-6891 +49-30-4251252 fax 3-3-13 Shimizu, Suginami-ku, (1) 406-994-2682 fax Tokyo 167 Japan [email protected] Produced at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California http://www.Griffi thObs.org/IPSPlanetarian.h tml 4 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March • Enquiries in the United States I many revealed that a small I 26mm f/2.8 lenses had been m,ml!!a(:tured for the Kodak Carousel S-A V 2050 nrr,iar+rw which was the model used at I i Observatory, but this line had tinued when the ~~.~,~~J.., __ However, the in Germlanv remaining lens, and this was DurctlaseO. This lens was then tested in the Bay Planetarium and ry, although of condenser lens was necessary in obtain even illumination. In "/"i.",, .. ;;~- the sharpest slides, made on the film, produced results. The search was then on for a and a secondhand one was ~"on·h".ll al schools curriculum where "astronomy" is ed in the United States. now a compulsory segment of the Science Planetariums have an important role in The curriculum, within the strand "Making Sense science education and in popularising of Planet Earth and Beyond" (Leather et al., astronomy (e.g. see Manning 1995, Othman 1998; Science in the New Zealand Curriculum 1991, Sampson 1993, Urke and Laerarhogskule 1995). ' 1993), and the emergence of the thematic "feature planetarium show" is one of the highlights in the twentieth century evolu Abstract were so as to onto tion of the planetarium. Such shows take The use of ultra wide-angle projection and west sides of the dome. Meanwhile advantage of the stunning visual images that lenses in slide projectors at the Carter projectors with "standard" lenses ' are now available through the Hubble Space Observatory's Golden Bay Planetarium is tributed around the dome. Telescope, and the achievements of such discussed. The placement of the ultra planetarium show was a great imnn")Vf>m,pnt astro-photographic pioneers as Dr. David wide-angle projectors and ways in which on earlier shows, and the Malin. they are used in conjunction with stan duced by the two new lenses were Colourful undistorted astronomical dard projectors to produce spectacular appreciated audiences, the new (Y"'1ti'Yll"'L images can have major public appeal, but and dynamic visual effects is outlined. tion generated excessive head ~,.,."'~~.~~ their impact is often reduced in small to and failed to provide an effective medium-sized planetariums where limita interest for viewers. tions of dome size and capital budget prohib The nextpl Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian ference tours. And there will be the new An Invitation to the astronomy-based Chabot Observatory & Science Center! Come explore a unique Science Center San Francisco Bay Area whose primary mission is astronomy and space exploration. Set in a park at an altitude of 1500 ft/457 m, in the Oakland Hills, the for IPS 2002 new Chabot will afford spectacular public viewing of the universe through its tele scopes; a 20-cm Clark Refractor and a SO-cm Dr. Michael D. Reynolds and Jose Olivarez Brashear Refractor, along with a new, 1 meter diameter Cassegrain/Newtonian. Delegates will have nightly opportunities to observe It is our sincere pleasure to extend an invi California. with these magnificent telescopes. tation to planetarians world wide to come The San Francisco Bay Area is also a won The new Chabot Planetarium will feature for IPS 2002 to one of the most popular derful place to bring your family. The natu the impressive Zeiss Mark VIII Universarium tourist destinations: the San Francisco Bay ral beauty of Northern California, whether it under a 21.3 m diameter dome. You must see Area! We feature the most diverse popula be beautiful Muir Woods and its redwoods, the Zeiss Mark VIII! This instrument is a mag tion in the world, some of the best food, the Pacific Ocean and the coast, or Napa nificent blending of science and art! There entertainment, and, of course, some of the Valley and its wineries, present an opportu are other exciting features to this unique finest in science museums, planetaria, and nity for that dream get-away. And the astronomy-oriented facility, such as a Chal science related facilities that can be found weather is usually delightful! lenger Center, Chabot's rare astronomical anywhere. The San Francisco Bay Area is rich in sci book library, and major astronomy exhibi At IPS 2002, the Chabot Observatory & ence institutions. Spend time at the Cali tions. Science Center will have celebrated its 117th fornia Academy of Sciences and the Morri There is plenty for families to do here, too. anniversary and its second anniversary in its son Planetarium, Exploratorium, Lawrence Our train system, BART, makes it fairly easy new facility! In addition to the new Chabot, Hall of Science, Lindsay Museum, Monterey to get around to many of the major tourist we can offer opportunities to see some of the Bay Aquarium, Oakland Museum, Tech destinations such as San Francisco's Pier 39 historic California astronomy facilities in a Museum of Innovation (also a new facility), and Alcatraz Island. We think you will find post conference tour, like Lick Observatory, UC Museums at Blackhawk; one could spend the people here friendly; we're known for Mt. Wilson Observatory, and Palomar the entire IPS 2002 going to museums and that California "laid-back" style. And it is Mountain Observatory. In addition there science centers! Of course, opportunities to would be special opportunities to visit other visit several of these institutions will be part well-known planetaria and sites in - of the agenda as pre-conference or post-con- (Please see Invitation on page 9) The new Chabot Observatory and Science Center. 6 Planetarian Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 It through various broadcast media I I vital in generating support for ",,,o,,io,,:>1 the theater. It I I I In addition to the Advanced Workshop, the Trade Show history (spreading out thr"oulllh Annual Awards tial1.q 1uet Planetarium there was also a "Show, Sell and 213 Morrill Hall sion sponsored the Committee on tariums and Science Centers. ILDA '97 University Nebraska - to be one of the most bountiful those who wanted to see laser www.spacelaser.com to Omaha's evening in their Rainforest cafe IMAX theater In November of 1997, 130 delegates from tive Susan Damian, and D] and news director film but 3D lasering). 17 different nations came together in Nebras Carol Turner (of KZKX radio in Lincoln). ILDA '98 will be hosted ka for ILDA '97 (hosted by Mueller Many good pOints were made in regard to Events in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Planetarium and co-hosts FirstLight Laser publicizing events. (An example of the video can find out more details on ILDA at Productions and Omaha's Henry Doorly spot for laser shows created by Mueller Plan site: Zoo). This four day meeting highlighted the etarium can be downloaded from the Plane best and brightest of laser display technolo tarium's web site at www.spacelaser.com). gy and artistry and had a strong planetarium Summarizing just a few: flavor. ILDA has grown in just eleven years from 1. Be prepared to make the job of news an informal gathering of a few companies to reporter as easy as possible. an active group setting standards and educat 2. Have a clear idea of the value of your By using a combination of standard ing its membership in safety practices. Laser event to the news media. Understand that ultra wide-angle 26mm f/2.8 Kodak display is still a cutting-edge technology they will seek out the unique, the "sexy" - lenses it has been possible to nr''1.rhu''o more than twenty years after its birth and for want of a better word - event. During vating and stunning DI(ln{~tarit!m we know well that the first major public major crises or disasters, don't expect to shows at the Carter laser displays were produced in planetaria. At get airtime. comparable to shows produced in ILDA '97 we were treated to the a demonstra 3. Active participation with the staff of a planetariums employing much more tion of the newest version of the Omniscan media outlet will always win you more sive wide-angle projection systems. laser projection system by Audio Visual airtime than just sending out a news A inexpensive Imagineering of Orlando, FL - a fiber-optic release or a public service announcement. system like that employed at fed device about the size and shape of a In our own case, since station KZKX plays Observatory can be with compara- bowling ball. AVI set up the Omniscan in the "Hits" of country music we use their tive ease at any small to medium-sized Mueller Planetarium's 9.7m dome and con D]s in creating the music lists for the tarium with a limited ference-goers were treated to performances shows. ed the appropriate ultra by both this 5 watt device and the Plane 4. Be concise, keep technical terms simplified can be sourced. tarium's 3 watt ILDA standard projector. for a mass audience. Our goal is to reach Especially striking was seeing both projectors that audience - and THEN educate them. doing beam effects at the same time. Forests We must proceed in this order. We are grateful to Mark Petersen for of beams and visions of stars and constella S. Although most planetarians have limited viding relevant data on plalne'tar'imlls. tions split the night in brilliant images. budgets, some advertising avenues are Remember that song: "The Future's So Bright actually getting less expensive - and good You Gotta Wear Shades?" Well, you get the quality ads (even in video) are becoming Leather, K., Andrews, F., Hall, R., and picture. less expensive to produce. ton, W., 1998. Coping with a new curricu In the Planetarian's Roundtable discussion 6. The "personal touch" and a willingness to lum: the schools program at the group, there was much talk of the future work with the media will always bring Carter Observatory. In D., Nor needs of planetarians - especially in regard to more satisfactory results. ton, A" and Percy,]. (eds.). New Trends in astronomical imagery. More and more the 7. Laser shows and laser display have some of Astronomy Teachingo Cambridge, Cam laser projector is being seen as a tool for the characteristics which attract media bridge University Press (in press). astronomy education in addition to its more attention. It is up to us to capitalize on Leather, K., Andrews, F., Buckley, D., Carter, traditional role in art, entertainment and these characteristics in a positive way. Hall, L., Hall, R., Hall, S., Leather, K., Leather, money-making. 8. Planetarians such as Mike Murray and N., Matla, P., Orchiston, W., and Sule, C, Also sponsored by the planetarium was a George Fleenor added their comments to 1997. SpeCial school programs seminar on electronic media, advertising and those of the panel in an open discussions the Carter Observatory. Publications laser shows. Our panel consisted of news of the future of the laser in the planetari anchor Rod Fowler (of local ABC affiliate um. In these days of tightened budgets, KLKN-TV), Cablevision advertiSing execu- the positive impact of laser display (Please see wza.e-QnVl~ Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian Schindler, Lawrence ellows Internati I Sel tzer, Allen f the Serrie,John Shapiro, Lee Planetari m So i ty Sharrah, Paul C. Schmidt, Mickey Shuey, Ronald (Through 1996 Meeting) Simopoulos, Dennis P. Smith, Charles Smith, Daniel D. Phyllis Pitluga Smi th, Jeffrey Adler Planetarium Snow, Bryan Sonntag, Mark 1300 S. lake Shore Dr. Sperling, Norman Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA Starr, Eileen Stec, Thomas [email protected] Storch, Samuel Stutz, Fred Summers, Caroyln FELLOWS Doyle, Robert]. Knapp, Richard Takacs, Charles Abraham, James H. Dumas, Jacques A. Knappenberger, Paul Tenschert, Walter (R) Adams, Kenneth Dundee, David A. Koonce, Eloise Tidey, Steve Allen, Robert Dunn,Jack A. Lazader, William Tomlinson, Gary Arai, Tatsuyuki Elvert,Jon Levine, Mark]. Toy, Larry Baber, Barbara Engle, Paul R. (0) Lieb, H. Stephen Tuttle, Donald E. (R) Back, Mariana Etheridge, Dale Lowry, William H. Trbovich, Sheri Baker, Lonny Fairman, Rita Mallon, Gerald 1. (0) Van Schaik, Harold Ballantyne, Robert]. Favour, Donna Marche, Jordan D., II Vinski, Jerome Bassett, Irvin Feldman, Charles McColman, Richard Wasil uk, Elizabeth Bassett, N el Lo Friedman, AlanJ. McGregor, Ian Webster, Dennis Batch, David Friedman, Francis Meader, John Wharton, John Becker, Gary Gallant, Roy Melenbrink, Eric Whitt, April Becker, Katherine Gan, Hiromichi Menke, David Wieser, Sig Bell, John Gielow, Arthur Mitch, Steven Williams, John Biddy, Fran Grice, Noreen Monda, Richard Wilson, Kenneth Bishop, Jeanne E. Goering, Keith Moore, Glen Winslow, Thomas Blain, Auray (R) Gonzales, Val Mosley, John E. Wollman, Robert Broman, Lars Groce, Philip R. Munoz, Gabriel Wyrick, Wayne Broman, Per Gutsch, William Murtagh, Terence Young, Warren Brunello, Christine Hagar, Charles F. Oliverez,Jose Zimmermann, R. Erik Buchalter, Terry Hall, Donald S. (R) Pabon, Tony (R)RETIRFD Cal vird, H. Rich (R) Hamilton, George (R) Panek, Jeri Callen, Thomas Harber, Hubert Pasachoff, Jay (0) DECEASED Campbell, Paul B. Hare, John Pedas, Ted Carlson, Gary A. Hart, James Peery, Richard A. Carr, Claire Hastings, Jane Peters, William T. Carr, Everett Q. (0) Hemann, Charles Petersen, Carolyn C. Walter Bauersfeld, 1988 Castro, Ignacio Hennig, Lee Ann Petersen, Mark C. Jeanne Bishop, 1990 Chamberlain,J oe (R) Horn,James Peterson, John Von Del Chamberlain, 1992 Chamberlain, Von Del Hicks, John Pettersen, Franck Alan Friedman, 1990 Chapman, Stu Hocking, Thomas Pierce, Donna Ronald Hartmann, 1984 Chronister, William Hoffman, David (R) Pitluga, Phyllis Mark Littman, 1982 Clamann, York Holmes, Charles Pogue, John A. Ian McLennan, 1982 Clarke, Thomas Hooks, James A. Puriton, Gary John Mosley, 1994 Concannon, Undine Hutton, Michael Ratcliffe, Martin Armand SpitzJr., 1988 Conners, Peter !toh, Shoichi Reed, George (R) Walter Tenschert, 1986 Cotton, John Jackson, Francine Reede, Roger ]. Davenport, Alan Jameson, Edward Reynolds, Sue Davis, Darryl Johnson, Keith Reilly, Robert SERVICE AWARDS DeRocher, Joseph Kraupe, Thomas Russo, Steven Shoichi Uoh DeVore, Edna King, Henry C. (R) Ryan, Michael Dietrich, Bruce 1. Kinsella, William Savage, Steven Knapp, Donald Schafer, Sheldon 8 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March .QUALIFICATIONS ARE: Continuous active membership in good standing in IPS for at least five years, contributions in ~=~~ of the following respects: a) Serving IPS in elective office, diligent and devoted committee work, and the of conferences meetings. b) Relevant and significant publications and/or conference presentations. c) Cooperation with professional societies, organizations, and groups which bring attention to the '1'Y'!"''''''''1'r> etariums' existence. d) The development of new methods and media in planetarium presentations. Years of membership in IPS: ______(look at your oldest issue of the Planetarian) Substantial Contributions: anvitation, continued from page 6) ing construction! Jose Olivarez Director easy to get to/from the San Francisco Bay Keep looking up, Chabot Observatory & Science Center Area from around the world; three major 10902 Skyline Blvd. international airports (Oakland, San Jose, Mike D. Reynolds, Ph.D. Oakland, CA 94619 and San Francisco) serve the region. Executive Director Voice Mail 510-530-3480 ex29 We are estimating the Registration Fee at Direct Line 510-482-7066 $200 and the Conference Hotel room rates at Jose Olivarez Fax SlO 530-3499 about $125 per night in 2002. Transportation Director of Astronomy will be provided between the downtown Conference Hotel and the Chabot Observa tory and Science Center in the Oakland hills. The Conference theme will be "ASTRONO MY, THE GATEWAY TO SCIENCE" which reflects Chabot's educational mission in a nutshell. Your primary hosts at new Chabot Obser vatory and Science Center will be Dr. Mike Reynolds and Jose Olivarez. Dr. Reynolds is the Center's Executive Director, a Teacher·· In-Space finalist, author, eclipse expert, and an award winning science educator. Mr. Olivarez is Chabot's Director of Astronomy. He is a veteran Planetarium Director of 27 years (31 years in 2002!) and a planetary astronomer known for his studies of the giant planet Jupiter. We hope you decide to come to the San Francisco Bay Area for IPS 2002. If IPS elects to go to another site, please accept our per sonal invitation to stop by and visit us at any time. We'd love to show you around our 20-inch Brashear fl18 Refractor of the Chabot Observatory and Science Center. astronomy-based Science Center, even dur- Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian ing to learn that the "whole" culture of a tar applications of observations get civilization is being brought to bear in life such as the references determining potential reasons for suspected the prayers to the observations and celestial alignments of includes to illustrate a April Whitt structures they have left behind. It should go neither the builders of :st()n(:h{~m~e without saying that neither the Maya, Stonehenge builders, nor Inca would be looking for the same celestial events we seek today, nor would they be seeking the same information as we. It is good to be reminded [email protected] of that fact. After all, we live in a SOCiety which no longer requires astronomer-priests scientists took from the When Harold Ramis' character in the to determine the season, date or time for us. religions of the world when movie Ghostbusters declared, "Print is dead," There are a few errors with the illustra facts which the old beliefs he obviously had not read these good books. tions in Chapter Two regarding the observed ence. This column brings you ten volumes with motions of the sky when looking north (Fig Just how much power was there something of interest for everyone: planetar ium script writer, gift shop buyer, science teacher, armchair archeologist, or rained out ... we live in a society which no longer reqUires star-gazer. to determine the season, date or time for us. Thanks go to our generous reviewers for this issue: Edward Albin, Richard Dreiser, 2.2c and Fig 2.3c.). Also the figures most peo standing the Kevin Grazier, Francine Jackson, John ple imagine in the moon are reversed in the ans, there was power to Mosley, Art Russell, Mickey Schmidt, and sketch shown in fig 2.9a. The real impor ing sacrificial victims among Steve Tidey. tance of Chapter Two is in demonstrating enough to cause cities to be aeslg;ne'u the fact that nature's obvious sky markers built at sacred sites. and cyclical motions are clearly in view to power is in the ratios of numbers, Stairways to the Stars: Sky everyone. The author clearly explains the shapes of orbits and To the an~:le:nts watching in Three Great Ancient effect of sky motion on a civilization resid however, Cultures, Anthony Aveni, John ing at middle latitudes versus the tropics. magical and the power was Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Again this is one of those observations the gods, for how else could the Avenue, New York, New York, which, if you haven't experienced it, you tell the future, the times, the J'- 10 Planetarian We have no idea when Wan Hu lived, but it to such a reader? I plunged into Blind expanding big-bang uni verse had to be around the 1500's. Fireworks and Watchers of the Sky and discovered it was one Friedmann. Part III takes us t-h,'n.",{Th sky rockets certainly fascinated him. So of those uncommon books that all too sel Einstein and de Sitter t-hr"urh+ much so that he had 47 of the rockets dom appears: thoroughly engrOSSing, least some of the time, blind observers, strapped to his sedan chair and had 47 delightful, and fun to read. they believed the universe to be IAU'bU,,"'''!'; coolies light the fuses simultaneously and History-of-astronomy books are not ing. "All the while the the rest is - well, history. uncommon, but all too often the details screaming out for an According to our author and illustrator he overwhelm one. The Preface states clearly that changes with time, and Einstein might have been a poet. But not just any poet. Wan Hu was one so preoccupied that I plunged into Blind Watchers of the Sky and discovered it was one he fits the mold of an Einstein in forgetting articles of clothing. In this story Wan Hu is of those uncommon books that all too seldom thinking about going high into the sky to engrossing, delightful, and fun to read. see what the stars are and how they are attached to the sky. He uses a variety of tried and true early science fiction methods for Rocky's belief that "even without complete Sitter were th]:otlgh incredible attaining his goal. Some of you might recall mastery of the technical details, anyone can tions not to discover it./I literature's Domingo Gonzales, who tried develop an appreciation of what we know of Edwin Hubble's contributions using a special breed of swan to carry him to the universe, and how we came to know it." concept and of the cosmic the moon. Well, Wan Hu tried birds too and He divides the book into three sections. radiation follow. failed. He climbed mountains but still he Part I provides a look at the universe when it recaps the could not get to the sky. Only when watch appeared to be little more than the solar sys ing fireworks was he inspired to use that tem. Parts II and III include the stars and the futuristic mode of transportation. Our hero Milky Way, the final inclusion of the larger strapped the rockets together and had them universe of galaxies, and lithe development ignited. When the smoke cleared Wan Hu of our modern model of the universe, the big to end this review was gone and he was never seen again! This bang. This is a tale of twentieth-century rer>eatinll the end of the author's story ends with a new star pattern in the physics and astronomy. Like all stories in sci paraphrasing at first Ptolemy, then '"-'VIJ,-j"jU Chinese sky. ence, it ends with questions./I cUS: "I also have failed to Illustrator Barry Root uses subdued colors Part I traces the lives and world views of Earth with my feet. It is a wonderful and sufficiently broad strokes to eliminate Tycho Brahe and Copernicus, and ence. I this book conveys some fine detail in the countryside. Wan Hu is the Newton, and dashes the idea that Galileo is that /I Therefore buy, read, only character whose colors are vibrant and the father of modern science. Not only was detailed. The people appear dressed as he not, says the author, but lito think of Chinese, buildings look like pagodas, and the modern science as having a "birth" may be art is reminiscent of an oriental style. The misleading. Perhaps a better of book appears to be aimed at the 6 to 9 year science's transition to modernity Astronautical 'r\,r1£:'"FU oids. slow "awakening," for the approach to the cations Office, P. O. Box The Wan Hu of my youth surely perished study of nature that we call modern science San California, in the cloud of flame and smoke. I secretly in a system of fits and USA, Volume 90,1997, want my Wan Hu to be located, some starts over a long period." 87703-421-4, $45.00 (soft cover). still strapped to his sedan chain on Part II takes us beyond the Solar to the moon, waiting for our return. the realm of the stars. The author details Reviewed Edward Albin, three major discoveries. Motions of one star Science Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Blind Watchers of the Sky: The around another confirm that Newton's law People and Ideas That Shaped of gravitation holds sway outside the Solar The book is about car.rl,nrr to Our View of the Universe, by System. The "proper" motions of stars reveal red Mars. It is the second in a series of Rocky Kolb, Helix Books, Addi that "fixed" stars aren't fixed after all. And four books published the American son-Wesley Publisheres, 1 Jacob stellar parallax shows, among other things, Astronautical SOciety. These volumes are the Reading, MA 01867, USA, that stars are much farther away from us result of a conference held in Boulder, Colo 1995, ISBN 0-201-48992-9. $25 than the Moon or planets. rado, called the Case for Mars. the From the first studies of the Milky Way conference took place way back in 1990, Reviewed by Richard Dreiser, The University the author takes us to the Great Debate. In these technical publications still have much of Chicago Yerkes Observatory, Williams the 1920s, Herbert Curtis and Harlow to offer to the planetarian and space enthusi Bay, Wisconsin, USA Shapley attempted to settle the questions ast. "What is the nature of spiral nebulae?" and, Volume 90 considers the sPt~cij'ics of send- Rocky Kolb is a cosmologist, perhaps a 'How large is the Milky Way?" This impor ing humans to Mars. It is an exhaustive col somewhat quirky breed of astronomer who tant discussion is detailed in an account of lection of articles written experts in their chooses high-energy particle physics as a the debate as if a modern television com field and considers three main areas of tool for understanding the universe's origin mentator had recapped it, blow by blow. human the aspects of and direction. concern as I began this The big three models of the universe in sending humans to Mars, on Mars, and book: was the author of scientific papers and the 1920s were the static universe of Einstein, the social that would technical books capable of writing "down" the stationary universe of de Sitter, and the arise upon eX1JIO,rinlg other worlds. Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian In the first part of the book some very reminds me of the continuous redesign and Constellations important issues are considered, issues that of the International Space Station - which is must be well thought out and resolved finally going to be launched, in segments, before we can colonize Mars. First is simply this year. One interesting and detailed sce & Sons, communicating between bases and rovers nario, called Mars Habitation 2057 concept, Third Avenue, New distributed across the planet. If we are to is suggested, as well as several other plans York, 10158-0012, 1997, inhabit Mars in a permanent way, we must slated for the middle part of next century. 471-15981-6 provide communication support centers or a These authors envision scientists living and network of stationary orbit and polar orbit working in Martian settlements on a regular Reviewed by Francine Jackson, ing satellites. These satellites would provide basis. Generally, the settlements consist of Rhode Island Planetarium, Providence, global coverage to the bases and rovers on habitat modules which are covered by soil to Mars. avoid exposure to radiation. Numerous low Having over a dozen Van Cleave my shelves, I was anxious to If you are considering writing a show about the human explorations lations for Kid to my '-V''''-'_CHJH. of Mars, I would certainly recommend "The Case for Mars" volumes I'm glad I did. In fact, this book part of a list for as valuable resources. world of amateur astronomy. A teacher for over two u",-au";,, There is still the ongoing debate of pressure greenhouses provide grains and veg Cleave's educational h",~17'T"''','''''' whether to concentrate our exploration etables to eat and there are even chickens, the structure of her books: efforts on robots more than people. It is sug goats, and fish raised on Mars. Energy can begins with "What you need to know" gested that space and surface construction supplied by solar powered satellite platforms. the topiC, followed by related queSl:10ns, projects could be accomplished by both In the final section of the book, the all exercises related to the and machine and/or computer "constructors". It important social issues are considered. Of the ty to reinforce the material. The ",-+,,,;i";,,,,, appears that the debate is not clear cut. Both numerous articles presented in this section, I all very and can be made robotic and human explorers seem to serve thought the analogy of a Mars mission to a generally found in every house necessary but different niches. sea voyage was most enlightening. A thou mixing bowl, shoe boxes, tape, Another very important consideration is sand days at sea can give researchers much (although works as well). the long term effects of cosmic rays and solar food for thought in relation to a mission to One found <.HU.U.LJlHF, radiation on human crews. In particular, one Mars. The authors describe a proposed 1991 major concern is the total radiation dose thousand-day voyage of the schooner received by the explorers. Calculations sug named Anne. Once again, the dated nature of gest that in a scenario involving around trip the literature continues to be a nagging prob to Mars in a minimum of nine months, a lem. The sole purpose of the voyage was to crew would receive a relatively high dose of evaluate not only the humans under condi radiation equivalent to about 200 REM. tions of isolation in confinement close to The second section of book considers the those that will occur on a voyage to Mars, many issues of actually living on Mars. One but also the equipment and supplies neces high priority is the utilization of Martian sary to make a long trip. I wonder how resources, that is, being able to live off the things went? land so to speak. Many novel ideas are pro If you are considering wri ting a show posed including getting water from the soil by way of microwaves, using the regolith as As either a supplement to your or presentation, or a way a rocket propellant, deriving propellants from the Martian atmosphere, exploiting introducing the night sky to your own kids, Constellations subsurface and polar ices, and extracting Kid is a great investment. water from the atmosphere. Life support is another priority. Much is stated about the problems of living both in a about the human explorations of Mars, I zodiac, which eXl::>lains astJ~ol()gV closed ecological system and in a hostile would certainly recommend The Case for UQIOSC:lerlCe (terms '--"-lfJHJLAH''''U, environment. The very unique environment Mars volumes as valuable resources. Because the correct entry dates for of Mars demands the development of space of their dated nature, you'll certainly need to each zodiac constellation (not suits and life support systems that are going supplement the material with more recent the variation of the "traditional" ,-,,,,,,1".,,1'''' to be different from those that preceded findings and ideas. Hopefully the Astro due to precession, and even goes so far as to them. For instance, the composition and nautical Society will publish future contri mention - and show atmospheric pressures are different as well as butions in a more timely manner. With all of the zodiac. the temperature extremes and the gravita the recent unmanned explorations of Mars Van Cleave's choice of star chart ""1"""""""',-1 tional field as compared to those encoun happening today, and the prospect of send me. Although there is no U'AL"''-/F-,L''P'' tered on the Moon and in space. ingpeople to Mars by the year 2010 (let's cross configuration comes Equally important is the need to define an hope), I can feel good about recommending and Marshall's Star for tie~~mneJ:s. infrastructure for a Martian base. Many vari this book to the planetarium community. is the only book - children's or At-t'a... ·iA1H'a ations of the layout of a base are included, I have seen use this form. even a Japanese version. The debate over the Unfortunately, as with all actual appearance of the Martian base something is bound to 12 Planetarian Vol. book is no exception. The most glaring error be performed in the elementary grades, espe mechanisms for organicS and volatiles, begins on page 25, in explaining the North cially now with the recent emphasis on as the destroyers of those same and South Poles. The North Pole is okay, but "anything Martian." And the adding from catastrophic impacts. This with respect to the South Pole, she states that machine tape solar system fits all grades. I've technical publication that would be its axis points in the "... general direction of a done this (although using toilet paper) with in a graduate or upper-lever unaeirgraaua'te constellation Corona Australis ... often called grades 3-12, all with the same reaction - cosmochemistry course. At the end the Southern Cross (sic)." Poor Octans is amazement. chapter are lengthy reference lists totally slighted. And, her picture of the poles The "extra credit" projects are, admittedly, reader who wishes to delve more also shows a sketch of the "Southern Cross a lot more work and time-consuming for tra any of the several topics touched upon. (Corona Australis)." ditional class time or a block of quality time The book both focuses on the Al though she defines asterisms, and with the family. However, the section on thought as to the effects of explicitly explains Ursa Major and the Big astrophotography is one of the best short impacts on the origin and evolution Dipper, Ursa Minor is II ... more commonly introductions to this hobby I've ever seen. on Earth, and summarizes current TACAO>1rrh known as the Little Dipper." At one pOint, the Earth is "revolving" on its axis, and the With NASA's newfound interest in minor bodies in the Sun's 24-hours takes four "times" longer than System ... (and) the recent public excitement generated by comets the constellations to appear to travel around the Earth. Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp, ... the timing ... of this book simply However, don't let the above stop you not have been better. from using and enjoying this book. As either a supplement to your class or presentation, The last section is the answer key for the on several pertinent topiCS. or a way of introducing the night sky to questions in each other part. This makes this We begin with a historical and technical your own kids, Constellations for Every Kid volume a good introduction for a family background on the role of comets in the ori is a great investment. that wants to wet its feet in a new interest gin and evolution of life on Earth, everyone can enjoy. But, the only drawback back as far as 1686 and Sir Isaac Newton. Rainy Day Astronomy, by Diane for a new reader is the bibliography. Chapter two is also an overview, ex,lmining Tesmer, Ancient Eyes Produc Although it's great that this book has one, several aspects of the evolution of Earth's tions, Cheektowaga, NY, 1992 unfortunately Rainy Day Astronomy was oceans and atmosphere, ranging from vol (no ISBN#), $35 written in 1992. Update it, and this book canic outgaSSing to cometary of would mean so much more to the astrono volatiles and organics. Chapters three and Reviewed by Francine Jackson, University of my neophyte. four discuss the origin and sources of Rhode Island Planetarium, Providence, RI cometary organiCS, volatiles, and nn.I".,-.,..,o·"" Comets and the Origin and Reporting on numerical simulations of This is a nice little book. Rainy Day Astron Evolution ofLife, edited by Paul comet and asteroid impacts on the omy, despite its name, comes complete with ]. Thomas, Christopher F. Chy chapter five examines how well activities ready to be used by budding ba and Christopher P. McKay molecules survive such impacts. astronomers of any age at any time. Springer-Verlag, 175 Fifth Ave Chapters six through eight are the The book is divided into several sections. nue, New York, NY 10010, 1997, the book. In chapter six, co-written The first, "All Ages," contains two activities, a ISBN 0-387-94650-0, $29.00. late Carl Sagan, the authors shoe box planetarium and a solar clock, that mechanisms for anyone can easily and quickly finish and Reviewed by Kevin R. Grazier, Griffith Obser molecule to the pre biotic Earth use. Each activity comes with an introduc vatory, Los Angeles, California, and Jet Pro late bombardment. ",-,u.«lJn.. '" tion to the topiC, with followup questiOns, pulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California reviews the effects of cometary irnn:::l.rt-c pertaining to the subject matter. My only Earth's early biosphere, while rnCHTTlC> ... comment is that more constellation shapes With NASA's newfound interest in minor examines the role that large impacts have should have been included (only Orion is). bodies in the Solar System (as evidenced on Earth's biosphere his- Although the goal seems to be to allow chil the number of upcoming robotic missions to tory, in particular catastrophic such dren to express their artistic creativity by comets and asteroids), with the recent public as the K/T event. making their own constellation, for younger excitement generated by comets Hyakutake In the final chapters, the authors present a children there should have been more real and Hale-Bopp, and with the fervor sur brief analysis of the present impact hazard, patterns for them to learn. rounding the potential discovery of fos as well as an overview of the current think The elementary and junior/senior high silized bacteria in Mars meteorite ALH8400l, ing on impact risk management. We then examine the chemical and th~~rnlOclyn Rainy Day Astronomy, despite its name, comes complete with environment of cometary interiors, with activities ready to be used by budding astronomers of any age at particular emphasis on the existence of uid water. The final two chapters, written any time. one of the editors, C. P. McKay (a in the ALH84001 debate), examine the sections both contain relevant and worth the timing of the publication of this book bie existence of microbial life on comets, while topiCS. What child hasn't been amazed simply could not have been better. and finishes with a brief of the to learn his age on other planets? All kids like The book provides an overview of the role science goals and objectives of UIJ'-V.uuuJ;:. to make mobiles and do crossword puzzles. that comets may have had in the early histo cometary space missions. Also, the higher level activities could easily ry of Earth's biosphere - as both delivery While much of this book is very technical Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian in nature, several chapters would neverthe Sixty pages of notes and a bibliography tions on a calculator, HACU''''Ut) less appeal to the layperson. It provides an follow the text. Each constellation is illus serni-pn)tessiIDnal spectroscopes, and excellent introduction into the role that mil trated with a woodcut from the 1482 edition the most from astrol)h()togrctptIY lions of years of cometary impacts have had of Poetic Astronomy printed in Venice. As one progresses thlrOulgh on shaping the geosphere and biosphere of Al though focusing on Greek and Roman more advanced stuff, the need for the Earth we see today. sources, Condos refers in her commentaries of publication becomes inc:re;aSlll1g1IV to earlier Babylonian, Egyptian, Phoenician, it highlights how .LUCHA"~~A Star Myths of the Greeks and and other cultures for the origins of constel scene has in just the last Romans: A Sourcebook, by lation myths. Among the interesting things I Many amateurs can Theon y Condos, Phanes Press, learned: the word Andromeda is Phoenician thoughtofassennl-l)rotes~)iOll1aL PO Box 6114, Grand Rapids, MI in origin; Auriga means "charioteer" but his I would hesitate to agree with 49516, www.phanes.com. ISBN name is Erichthonius (Eric for short?); the Moore's belief that the minimum 1-890482-92-7 hardbound, ISBN identification of the Milky Way with milk for a Newtonian reflector mirror 1-890482-93-5 paper, $35 and apparently does not predate the Greeks. es; I've seen a number of amateurs $18.95 respectively, 287 pages. The attractive hardbound edition was delighted with their four inch instruments. 1997. printed in a limited run of 500 and features To this reviewer at least, it was retTe~;hing acid free paper and a gold ribbon bookmark. to read one author state that, Reviewed by John Mosley, Griffith Obser As a handy, readable, and authoritative ing, none of the electronic ...... AU"-" vatory, Los Angeles, California USA. guide to Greek and Roman constellation ment that is at us all the mythology, Star Myths of the Greeks and absolutely necessary for the basic Constellations are the basic organizational Romans: A Sourcebook should have a place on of the night A very units of our planetarium skies and our star the bookshelf of every planetarian. Consult perhaps, but nevertheless, as projectors show them well. Most planetari the web site www.cosmopolis.com/star comforts the first-timer who is in ans can readily point them out both under myths for a sample chapter and additional being put off all the eXlperlS111e-JloOKlflg our domes and under the real sky, and we information. equipment that is seen know the star patterns like the backs of our parties. The author pOints to the remarkable hands. We have years of personal experience The Modern Amateur Astrono Englishman, George Alcock, who has looking at constellations. mer, edited by Patrick Moore, ered numerous comets and novae Yet most of us learned their histories - the Springer-Verlag, 175 Fifth Ave nothing more than binoculars. classical stories and the myths about them nue, New York, New York, There's no extra verbiage in this book; from third-hand and fourth-hand sources or 10010, USA, 1995, Part of the every paragraph sticks to the and from each other. Without easy access to a Practical Astronomy series, you what you need to know. It also knows university library and knowledge of the clas ISBN 0-387-19900-4, $24.95. its limitations, back from areas sics, we rely on popular books and articles could have been drawn into, for our information. Although written by Reviewed by Steve Tidey, Maryvale Schools leaves to other books targeted at a good people, they are seldom authoritative. Planetarium, Buffalo, New York, USA. different audience. Hence the value of Theony Condos' Star Each stands on its own, so Myths of the Greeks and Romans: A Source This is the book that should spring to dip into the book at any point, or book, which is a revised and expanded ver mind when we are asked by the to read from cover to cover to get a sion of her doctoral dissertation in classical recommend something that gives concise how the modern scene allows amateurs studies. It is a translation and commentary advice for anyone from the absolute begin progress from steps with binoculars on two of the most important original Latin ner to the reasonably well-off advanced to detailed study of spectra and photC)m1etflc measurements of stars which the pn)re:SSH)n- ... a handy, readable, and authoritative guide to Greek and Roman als will be to see for themsel ves. constellation mythology ... This book should VAI',UHAL.",-. star and Greek astronomical texts: the Cataster amateur about the practicalities of observing ismi (The Constellations) of Erotosthenes the night sky. Stars, (known through a later work) and Poeticon Patrick Moore, the doyen of amateurs (he fic American Astronomicon by Hyginus. It is concise and doesn't like to be called a profeSSional ed by W. H. Freeman and authoritative description of the myths asso astronomer) has gathered together from the pany, 41 Madison ciated with the 48 constellations recognized UK many experts in their field to produce a New York, New York, by the time of Ptolemy. most useful book which has many handy USA, 1992, ISBN 0-7167-5033-3. The format allows four or five pages per ti ps on every page. constellation. First comes the description by It begins with the bare basics, explaining Reviewed Art Russell, Atlanta Erotosthenes, followed by the myths of the principle behind amateur telescope Club, Atlanta, USA. Hyginus, followed by the author's commen designs, and moves on in a readable manner tary. The commentary summarizes in quite through the celestial co-ordinate system, Discovery, un.oers1:anlolng, readable colloquial English the essential buying your first telescope or pair of binocu and the Sun's facts, resolves controversies, and introduces lars, making a telescope, constructing and and more are in contributions by cultures other than Greek using observatory domes, the benefits and Stars. This book is not for the faint of and Roman. The planets, galaxy, and pitfalls of modern auxiliary equipment tele Pleiades receive separate treatment. scope electronics, basic astronomical calcula- 14 Planetarian ship was in the digestive tract environment, on the carpet for the the smell of onions addedto the effect. It was education program. the idea of the student-producer and was Similar! y, crushed limestone accomplished by an impaled onion in the the walkway feel for plastic bag. Program about When Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher yesteryears. were lost in the cave and Tom pulled a piece During the Fifth of wedding cake from his pocket, the aroma Grofe's Grand of vanilla flavoring wafted across the dark storm Cloudburst h"",-," (Ti-d' "~JJ"U"'H_" ened seating. from squirt guns in the hands of instructor and the plametariulm directo,r. Enter Gus Gustatory refers to the sense of taste, and as we planned for the kindergartners and The effects of smell, taste, first graders to visit the planetarium, the added new dimensions to our pl,mE~taI>iUl:n'S teachers mentioned the possibility of a mid multi-media lat)oratc)rv outreach. morning snack. Of course, their senses, After a sundown blast-off, our imaginary Vid and Aud, are ever present peI>m,:m~~nI space ship cruised through space as simulat idents in any pla.netariurn. ed by a slow diurnal movement of the star field. After the "seat belt signs" were turned off, the "passengers" were invited to take a 7) Stemming from the variety of effects walk through the space ship filing around done in the multi-media laboratory of the through the dimly red lighted office and Astronomical planetarium of the Vandalia-Butler City workroom past a suited astronaut. A plane 287. Schools during the 1970s, a paper entitled tarium student assistant dressed in a military Manning,). G., 1995. The role "01£, Hap, and Gus called Enter the Plane coverall suit spray painted with aluminum in astronomy education. Planetarian tarium" was presented to the conference del paint and topped by a toy see-through space (4): 5-8. egates of the International Society of Plan helmet and visor, served as the welcoming Orchiston, W., and Andrews, P., etarium Educators in Boulder, 1976, the Great astronaut. cloudy under the stars: "Ovelmi~llht Lakes Planetarium Association at Chicago in After a brief pause with the astronaut, ExtravaJ2;arlzas' at the Carter "1-"""""""1-,,,,.,, 1976, and the Southeastern Planetarium the youngsters were served a cup of Tang Planetarian 24 (4): 15-19. Association in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in and were handed a Pillsbury Food Stick. The Orchiston, W., and Dodd, R.,1996. hducatlon 1978. Tang was devoured immediately. The Food and Stick was eaten during the remainder of the YhC'.o.,..",:>1-fY,.,,,· an overview. Enter space flight and re-entry to Earth and home. tions the Astronomical Olf carne from olfactory, referring to the As the youngsters boarded the bus for their Australia 165-172. sense of smell represented by the odor of return trip, not one wrapper or cup re burnilnll leaves setting a November time mained on the planetarium carpet. scene in the planetarium presentation of Ray Popcorn by the bagfuls were to the Bradbury's The Pedestrian. A number ten can girls from physical education classes as with punched holes served as a burner of entered the planetarium-turned-big-top for Orchiston, W., Carter, B., Dodd, dried leaves. An old terry cloth towel held their combined clr'cus-c)ivmlPlc:-g'VIIln,lstlC R., 1998. our southern skies: above the burner captured the smoke aroma. presentation. No popcorn was found as the The towel in a plastic bag was clothes pinned sawdust and shavings were vacuumed from to the grill of a box fan until blown away at the carpet. the proper moment. During a program called Que Viva Similarly, in the same story, another for Spanish class students, a dessert of rice University Press (in towel moistened with a mixture of rubbing pudding was served. Othman, M., 1991. Science education alcohol and Listerine gave the proper effect pialnetariurn. Proceedings when the police patrol car "smelled hospital Enter cal Society ofAustralia 9: 69-71. clean." The sense of touch is used to define the Petersen, M., 1997. the world's During the presentation of Human Body word "haptic." Touch is to feel with hands, tariurn audience. Groton, Loch Ness Space the lungs reeked of the smell of feet or other body parts. ductions. tobacco smoke because the patient was a In Tom Sawyer's Cave, the audience Sampson, G. E., 1993. the cigar smoker. Appropriately timed, the flick members crawled through a cardboard box the people: education of a switch powered a toy train transformer tunnel feeling their way to the end where 1990s. Mercury Sept-Oct: 26-28. that supplied the lower voltage, higher the carpet began. Science in the New Zealand Curriculum amperage current to a coil of nichrome wire Damp fall leaves were ironed flat and ington, Media (1995). held in two alligator clips. Inside the coil was scattered on the carpet to simulate the envi Urke, T., and V., a fourth of Swisher Sweet Cigar whose ronment of an autumn stroll in The search on the effects of tealch:lng '>C' ..... "u.,,.., .. smoke was blown by a box fan into the plan Pedestrian. my with a etarium chamber. Earlier, while the space Sawdust and wood shavings were strewn (4):19-20. Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian Kea, Australian Outback, The Space Shuttle in Orbit A GSS .. Helios Planetarium What do these places common? A spectacular of a Shonandai Culture Center GSS-Helios The GSS-Helios (GSX) features 25,000 stars reproducing a sky seen only from space. Digital shutters mean palllOI'anlas without stray stars twinkling through the image. Computer-assisted functions give manual mode the ease auto mode without replacing the lecturer. The list of special GO TO features goes on and on. Contact your nearest representative and find out what your planetarium could be like. The GI014si offers Simulator functions GOTO's exclusive automatic lamp mechanism. No more shows lost to lamp burnout. With the spare lamp leaps into touch of a button at the console. fast and efficient. That's a GOTO Planetariurn. OJ 4-16 Yasaki-cho Fuchu-shi, 183 JAPAN TEL: IntI No. +81-423-62-5312 FAX: IntI No. +81-423-61-9571 EmaU: [email protected] G1014si series of events featuring Apollo 17 comman central Illinois and larger schools in ion I der Eugene Cernan. A Cernan Center mem Champaign, Kankakee and Blc)ornirLgt4:::m. bers' event, two student events, a VIP lun will host the Illinois State lYU::CLJlll,lo; cheon and the Triton Foundation's weekend of 24-26 ApriL President's Reception were successfully com Indiana: The Indiana State ME~etllllg pleted during his two day visit, with money held on Saturday, 25 April in Martinsville. raised benefiting the Ceman Center and stu Dan Goins will serve as host. dent scholarships. The following week, the Change is underway at the Merrillville lars Broman Cernan Center was host to MCI Telecommu Community Planetarium at the Pierce nications' Project Launch Pad '97 a distance Middle School in Merrillville. Renovation of Broman Planetarium learning teleconferencing featuring a live the school includes demolition of a a Ostra Hamngatan 1 launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia, com large addition, and other renovations, which Falun, Sweden mentary from Kennedy Space Center, stu began in the spring of 1997. The plametarimn dents and VIPs assembled at the Cernan was closed over the summer, but resumed +46 2310 177 +46 Center, and Q&A with Captain Gene Cernan programming at the start of schooL 2310 137 fax in Houston. The Cernan Center is currently 1998 will see the closing of the 1J',,'U\,-UUHA1.H showing its holiday program Celebrations of for its renovation. It is not known how [email protected] Winter, The Eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, Zip! the renovation will take. www.dalnet.se/-stella/ Zoom! Whiz! and three different laser shows. Indiana is the site of the 1998 GLP A Con In January, they premiere their new show ference, with Dan Goins hosting at our Fall The Regional Roundup column depends The Moon: From Imagination to Exploration. Color Paradise, Nashville. all entirely on contributions that I receive from The ISU Planetarium in Normal continues Indiana GLPA members will be able to IPS Affiliate Associations all over the world. to undergo renovation, which will continue in some way. Dan has set up a Please continue to contribute as you have through the school year, but all programs address for this. Contact him at ITI ...,.,(",)(',"" done before. To be sure that your text will continue. In October, Dr. Cynthia Hess from can.net. make it into the column, please send it so I Illinois Wesleyan University presented a spe The Ball State University Planetarium in have it at the first day of the Planetarian cial program entitled Probing the Structure of Muncie will be running Light Years From deadline month, preferably bye-mail send Hot Accreting Gas Using X-ray Spectroscopy. In Andromeda in January and February. Details only regular text, please! The deadlines for mid-January, they will debut The Light can be found on their Web page at www contributions to No. 2/98 is thus 1 April, and Hearted Astronomer, a laid-back introduction .physics.bsu.edu. for No. 3/98 1 July. Important note: I have to backyard astronomy. The Muncie Community Schools Plane changed e-mail address. Use the address The Strickler Planetarium at Olivet tarium reports that The Solar System Adven above, please! Nazarene University in Kankakee debuted ture Tour and their current Night pro Thanks to Bart Benjamin, Jack Dunn, John The Mars Show on Halloween, and recently gram is now available for all teachers Hare, Donna Pierce, Loris Ramponi, and celebrated its 30th anniversary during Muncie Community Schools Planetarium. Christine Shupla for contributing to the Olivet's Homecoming with an in-house She has collected over 1,000 Signatures for Regional Roundup Column this time. You show written by an ONU student that looks the Stardust wafer chip as well as are welcome back with new reports, and I at the past 30 years in astronomy and space 7S pictures for the Colorme Stardust contest. look forward to reports from other Associ science, and how Strickler Planetarium has Michilga:n: The Michigan State J.VA\..\'-~jUJ."," ations as well. Please remember that a short contributed to community education. On will be held on Saturday, 30 May at the Delta note is also appreciated! the first two weekends of December, College Planetarium in Bay City. Beck Strickler hosted holiday laser shows, which is strom will serve as host. Great lakes Associa- the first time laser shows have been offered The Longway Planetarium in Flint in the Kankakee area. showed The Alien Who Stole Christmas in tion The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at December as their family show. In illinois: The Illinois State Meeting will be Parkland College in Champaign begins the they will present The Little Star That Could, held on Saturday, April 2S near Mansfield new year by continuing its live backyard sky complete with computer-generated images (west of Champaign). Starlab operator show, Prairie Skies. The original feature that will look 3-D on the dome. l..'ol-'1""",r" Wayne James will serve as host. If weather Odyssey will be replaced by the wide-screen brings their new myth show, By Jove: permits, a dark site observing session will be film Arctic Light in February. The Cowboy of Long Ago. Laser shows continue to be pre held on Friday andlor Saturday night. Astronomer will be replaced by a new pro sented as well, including some with holiday The Adler Planetarium in Chicago contin duction of Sudekum's Planet Patrol sequel, selections. Tears of Fire, which Carrie ues to present its shows Is There Life on Mars, Star Stealers. The light show featuring Pink previewed at the GLP A Conference, is now Seeing the Invisible Universe, and Littlest Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon will give way to being packaged for sale. Dinosaur in Space through 29 January, then a new original show highlighting the musi The Delta College Planetarium & L,-,.uUlUf', premieres In Search of New Worlds on 30 cal career of the band U2. We are looking for Center reported that the Loch Ness Show, Tis January. The latter show is a comprehensive ward to our second Super Bowl dinner on 2S the Season was shown for their Christmas look at the search for new planets beyond January, as well as Jim Kaler's visit on 6 presentation. In January, they will be a our solar system. Adler also presents their March to talk about the "health" of the Big First Year Review, which will present a differ holiday show Winter Star in December. Bang theory. ent show each week that was given in the In mid-November, the Cernan Earth and School Works Starlab Operator Wayne first year of business. February brings out Space Center at Triton College in River James, now going into his seventh year, is Follow the Drinking Gourd as their feature Grove celebrated the 25th anniversary of still busy visiting small rural schools in east show, followed by Rusty Rocket's Last Blast as man's last footprints on the moon with a Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian 17 their family show. and her current interests include science edu ed to serve as President-Elect, Bob Hona,C1urer In January, the Shiras Planetarium in cation and mythology in astronomy. was elected to serve as Se(:reitarv Marquette will bring New Wonders from the Welcome aboard! The Youngstown planetar and Sue Reynolds was elected to serve Hubble Space Telescope, which will be a pro ium marked the 40th anniversary of the Representative. Congratulations to all! jection of images from the Internet onto the launch of Sputnik with their show Sputniks Conference "Thank yousif dome. In February and March, they are plan to Spacestations: 40 Years in Space. From the Bishop: "I would like to let everyone ning Martian Invasion, Part II about the early days of competition through the cur about the contributions of our "~,,._ v '_AUUU Pathfinder discoveries. rent days of cooperation, the program traces conference artists. The back of the ClipbloaI~d The McMath Planetarium at Cranbrook is four decades of space programs. Around (with the Astro-Tec sponsor planning Hunters of the Winter Stars, a show Halloween time, the planetarium rocked planet data) was hand-drawn that is given in conjunction with the muse with their annual Nightlights, a warlock's Anderson. Dori set our GLP A logo as um's winter exhibit on rap tors of the winter brew of music, magiC, screams, and scares. stellation on the celestial equator near the sky. The McMath Planetarium will also host Tricks changed to treats in December with Milky Way. Did you notice the sun rAr,.,.t:>rthT several workshops and multi-week classes. the run of Holiday Star Lights, a celebration positioned for the date of the m(~etin~~'? Congratulations and best wishes to Jeff Bass, of the holiday season. "Jay Ryan, who also contributed the who recently got married! The spirit of the season also abounds in man frames for the program book, made an The Peter Hurst Planetarium in Jackson northwest Ohio. Toledo's Ritter Planetarium oil painting of the sky above the Great presented Season of Light as their Christmas is featuring its annual runs of Old Lights of for a time in October. All stars and other show. Later this winter, they will present Holiday Nights and Santa's Secret Star. bodies are in accurate positions. Color Light Years from Andromeda, which looks at Bowling Green State University Planetar of the painting were then made, and has our understanding of the universe through ium is running its Secret of the Star for the numbered (out of 150 - only that many were time. In the spring, they will present The eighth year. The BGSU Planetarium was made) and signed them. Delegates may wish Cowboy Astronomer. invaded by the Norkians during its fall show to take the picture out of the plastic cover Ohio: The Ohio State Meeting will be held run of Star Stealers from Sudekum Plane and frame this very special offering. Jay does on Saturday, 25 April at the Vandalia tarium as detective Sam Snork of the planet the SkyWise Column for Sky & Telescope. His Planetarium. Tom Fagan will serve as host. Nork tries to solve the mystery of disappear booklet Cycles, carried in sets for classroom The Sidney Frohman Planetarium in San ing stars and learns about star life along the use by the Astronomical Society of the dusky, Ohio is celebrating its 30th anniver way. The show was accompanied by a live Pacific, was a gift from the ASP in the back of sary in 1997. Built in 1967 as part of the report of the latest news from Mars. each conference folder. Supplementary Education Center at the San Joe Tully recently retired from the Vanda "And I should not forget Jon Marshall's dusky High School, the planetarium has lia schools and planetarium. Tom Fagan is very original Original Cookie design. At the brought the excitement of astronomy to the now following in Joe's footsteps in bringing banquet, four lucky conferees at each table students and public of the Sandusky area for the stars alive in Vandalia. The veterans who had stickers on their chair legs received three decades now. For all of these 30 years, among us will remember that Ken Perkins a large cookie with the GLPA logo. the Planetarium has been guided by the was starmaster here many years ago, and Joe Jon's retirement, Jon and his wife vision and dedication of its charter and only and Tom have ably continued the tradition opened an Original Cookie franchise the director, Richard Speir. Throughout the aca of innovative astronomy teaching to area. Thank you to our artists for these spe demic year, Dick runs a variety of public Vandalia students. cial contributions." shows on Sunday afternoons and offers Wisconsin and Minnesota: The WIMPS Excerpts from Report on the 1997 GLP A Con school programs during the week. His cur (Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota Planetariums) ference in Cleveland by Gary Tomlinson:. rent series of public programs is a retrospec will host its spring meeting at the University conference was the largest GLP A conference tive of shows from the past, including How to of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Planetarium 17-18 ever (not counting joint meetings with other Watch A Flying Saucer (1974) and Cosmos April with its newly installed Digistar. groups). And from the conference qUestiorl (1980), whose appeal today is no less than it Tis the Season is being shown at the naires, the delegates were generally very was nearly two decades ago. The planetari Minneapolis Planetarium and at UW-Stevens pleased with the conference. We had six um was extensively remodeled last summer; Point Planetarium. Chaffee's A Christmas invited speakers, 40 papers, a couple dozen the dome took on a fresh coat of white paint, Present will be shown at the UW-LaCrosse poster sessions, about a dozen and a half ven the walls were recolored a rich blue, and the Planetarium, Charles Horwitz Planetarium in dors, tours, five Stariabs, door prizes, and we floor was recarpeted with a dark blue carpet Waukesha, and in Minneapolis. LaCrosse and got to meet Jeanne Bishop's father. adorned with hundreds and hundreds of Waukesha will also run Star of Wonder. The "The Starlab Challenge was a three stars. They provide the setting as Dick's tal Madison Planetarium is presenting Season of circus including the new super dome. Inside ents bring the starfield, automation system, Light the super dome, delegates got their chance to special effects, and video to life as tools for After the holiday rush, planetaria in the face the toughest questions I've ever heard conveying the wonder and excitement of north offer a variety of shows. Home-pro about the night sky and to be humiliated in astronomy to his classes and audiences. duced Moon Voyage will be shown in Wauke front of their colleagues. Thankfully, the Congratulations to Dick as he begins his next sha and LaCrosse. Minneapolis will run its responses to the questions were written and decade of service! own Dinosaurs in the Dark of Night and The the grades were not posted. However, the top The team at Youngstown's Ward Beecher Xtra Terrestrial Files. While Stevens Point two scorers from each of the three events Planetarium now includes a familiar face in a lights up the night with Light Years From received gift certificates from Learning Tech new place. Sharon Shanks, who for years Andromeda, Madison will present its live nologies. This was the first time I've ever managed the Physics and Astronomy show Winter Stargazing. used a Starlab and I was impressed. Department office, recently found her true Selections from the GLPA Bulletin Boar 18 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March conference is to see all the new stuff from the vendors. Here are some of the .LLL""'''''",,H'-'' from the vendors: told us about the Nebraska/Kansas group is also to $200 Mars Show are ,.uC''''UUULLF. have a informal one meeting next sum can even get files to go along with mer at Pittsburgh State College Planetarium it). East Coast Controls did a show in Kansas hosted Todd VanGorden. using their cove system un_'-'.LfJv",,, Officers taking their posts as 1st ing chases, etc. For those who are: As President Jack Dunn, Mueller Plane don't have a Ash tarium-UNL, Lincoln, NE; as Tom demonstrated their warp drive effect for the Burke HS Planetarium, Omaha, overhead (about a factor of a thousand NE; as Treasurer David Vondra, Science chealJer than Bowen Productions Center Planetarium, Omaha, NE; and as was there with shows and sound advice and Newsletter Editor Todd VanGorden, Pitts- so was Audio Visual with its State KS. all-dome laser system. LM had some beautiful all-skies. The Minne apolis and Davis Planetariums had show kits (as did many of the other vendors) and so The 12th National '''''''QrlTHT much more. We even heard from the Home Planetarium Association and saw a home- built Likert. -nr,:>TYl;Qr'o at this conference were two dozen poster sessions where GLPA Scicli members put posters about in a convent of Siena (4 meters), as as with handouts) that could the of San Giovanni in Persi view at their leisure. While some aeJlegaH~s .IJ'U"V""uu (9 meters) that was were the posters, different hands-on Starlab were The next Natrional ME~etl,ng place." in October 1998 in Milan in the More from the GLPA The GLPA Italian planetarium. The pf()cE~edin~~s Executive Committee honored David E. 11th National Meeting, prE~palred Parker for outstanding service to GLP A. visitor Angela Turricchia (Aula didattica Planetario, special, unanimous vote of the Executive Bologna), are Committee (well, except for he didn't Day of Planetaria 22 March 1998. The aim know about it), GLPA presented of this initiative is to promote the knowl Dave with GLPA's first service award Nakken and his assistants. and the diffusion of planeitana. on behalf of the entire Thanks, this Dave! anetalri11ms. For the occasion, ation hATin"hiT"" between planetaflla GPP A was the host EuroTJean countries are '97 Milan Planetarium last December an interactive show, called western US we have found these multi- di for children from 5 to 10 conferences to be a Not Ravenna Planetarium last December do we get to meet new '<-''-'''''_'''''''"'''-'', a big sundial. other instruments attract more vendors and ",."_'-"",,-.LJ. be built in the Astronomical that sur- the 111~;lUl~'.lLJ rounds the Planetarium. A small um, the local amateur astrono- mers association, will open to the next February in Florence. An itinerant etarium with a dome of 6.7 meters HHU.l"'~'-U the amateur Astronomer Association of Modena has been established in Ferrara. thanks is due to Max and his staff at the Kosmorama Kansas for Denmark: The Planetarium at Steno time (and if any of the western I-HU.U'-U.HU.H1J Museum in Aarhus has about 30,000 seem a bit this winter it was that 3- visitors - a little lower last year due to an axis simulator). sunny summer. The 1-""''''-'''''' the western alliance of GPP A voted to um has been in operation for three years and Vol. No.1, March 1998 Plane tar ian projector and a new subwoofer for the audio for two weeks at the time. month, and is very busy with school system. Attendance increased to about Sweden's southernmost planetarium is with two to four groups per 15,000 during 1997. Lund's Planetarium. Astronomer Eva Mezey Cory Stone reports that Stella Nova Planetarium at Falun Science became its new director in 1997. The signa well in El Paso, Texas. The EPISD PlaJoetaril11m Center has about 2,000 visitors per year, ture of the planetarium, which attracts some is beginning an anti mostly school groups (from pre-school to 15,000 visitors per year, is still to use (almost) paign in the Sun City. In late November, college). Their new Sony video projector only classical music during their shows. The hosted the local Women's Chamber of carne to good use during the Hale Bopp planetarium is predominantly attended by Commerce for their business m€~etJlllg shows, when photos of the cornet were school classes. ally, their annual elections). John ppt·pr~:n.n taken live from Internet. The Center has Sweden's largest planetarium, Cosmonova and Cory showed them a rather recently begun a science scout activity called in Stockholm, has had 2.5 million visitors tour for that evening which included Barnens Experimentrum (Children's experi since it opened five years ago. Predominant parison of the desert versus what ment room), which quickly became very ly Omnimax movies are shown, but also see in E1 Paso with a short talk on popular. Planetarium shows and use of the planetarium astronomy shows. Their latest pollution problem. The response was interactive astronomia exhibition were show is a fantasy trip through the Milky surprising! Those ladies became UU,.RnUL''-. among the Experimentrum activities. Way Galaxy. Cosmonova astronomer/pro fired up about the issue and Goteborg's Astronomy Club runs a public ducer Torn Callen has produced an I-min their considerable machine mf'luinrr observatory on a hill in the large Slotts Omnimax sequence, Flying through a black right away. John has begun to get the skogen city park. They have a small (3 m dia.) hole, which is included in the new show. action and responses which indicate planetarium with a Goto EX-3 projector Callen also maintains the NP A horne page - this may actually get somewhere. If of complementing the several telescopes. see p 4. you have fought the light pollution battle in Annual attendance is typically 6,000, but in In Tranas the company Star Learning, your city, John and Cory would like 1997 that many visitors carne for Cornet owned by Kjell and Ingabritt Aberg, has run a from you. Knowing what worked (and what Hale-Bopp alone. Observatory director Claes Starlab Planetarium since May 1996. To date, didn't) would be of great help to them. Goran Carlsson has found out that the first some 7,000 children have visited the plane Mickey Schmidt from the Air solar prominence ever seen was observed tarium. While the activities predominantly Academy, Center for Educational Multi from another Goteborg hill during the May are geared towards children, there are occa media (CEMM), reports that they are present- 1733 solar eclipse. sional theme days for the general public. ing the Loch Ness / Jim Season Goteborg's University has the oldest (1983) Light show. have had a busy year. Their Scandinavian Starlab, which is managed by Rocky Mountain Planetarium main emphasis is on supporting Cadet Marie Radbo and Ann-Marie Gronkvist. Over Association instruction, but they continue to support the years, they have had 100,000 students in local schools and run a fairly ambitious Members of RMPA enjoyed the hospitality their Starlab, whose dome recently has been lic schedule in the summer, three shows per of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas repaired by Learning Technologies in the U. day, four per week. have a for the Star Fest '97 Conference last fall. S. A. They use no special effects, just the Star ed schedule for the public during the While there, RMP A voted to attend PP A's lab projector and four cylinders. An anec year of one Stargazer's Rambles per quadruple conjunction conference at the Los dote: In 1996, the Goteborg Fire Dept. wanted but a fun schedule during December Angeles Valley College Planetarium in 1998, to put the dome on fire(!) but Radbo man Christmas show. Their chief technician, and a conference at the Arizona Science Cen aged to hinder the assault. Doug Glosson, is going to be for ter (Dorrance Planetarium) in 1999. Christine The Goteborg based company Broman another date as yet unknown. Shupla was elected President-Elect; she will Planetarium, owned by Per and Lars Broman, The CEMM has a very small be working with our new President Mike runs two Starlab Planetariums as well as sells foyer/lobby. There is not much room Murray and Past-President John Peterson, them in the Nordic countries. Since 1985, plays but have designed and installed a and with Nello Williams, who was elected to twenty-five Starlabs have been delivered to kiosk featuring the interactive program pro the position of Secretary-Treasurer. customers in Finland, Norway and Sweden, duced at Rice University called Space Bess Amaral at the Goddard Planetarium and a first Danish customer is expected this Mike Murray and Jim Manning report in Roswell, NM, sounds delighted with the year. Per's daughter Tova Redrno has recent from Taylor Planetarium, Bozeman, Mon renovations that have taken place at her ly been hired as planetarium teacher, giving tana, that classical music made a big hit with facility. Joe Hopkins Engineering redesigned shows in schools in the Goteborg metropoli an original production called Classical Laser her entire console area, the audio-visual tan area. Per Broman has recently produced a which ran in November and December. interfaces, and the wiring on her Spitz projec Power Point program about Starlab, avail Patterned to classical composers like Mozart, tor. Also, they have a newall-sky projection able free of charge from the company's new Mahler, Vivaldi, and Rachmaninoff, the system. The whole project was completed e-mail [email protected]. show utilized a multi-visual approach in its last summer with a $25,000 bond issue. Bess Ann-Gerd Eriksson manages an interesting choreography, incorporating not laser is now gearing up for next summer and little planetarium at Sweden's northernmost imagery but also Digistar and enjoying all of the enhancements. Science Center, Teknikens Hus in Lulea, lati numerous special effects. Loch Ness Produc David Mayeux at Farmington, New tude 65.s5 degrees north. The planetarium is tions' remake of The Mars Show will be Mexico is looking forward to the lighting of situated inside an earth globe, takes 20-25 ning through the winter and with a the luminarias on the San Juan Campus. He persons, and is equipped with a Spitz Nova live add-on section to highlight the latest had a special stargazing session on 6 projector and a northern lights projector. All pictures from Mars Global Surveyor. December when the campus lights were off. shows are live. Teknikens Hus also owns a Geoff Skelton at Fiske Planetarium reports He is working on a new show on Navajo Starlab, which travels to schools in the that they plan to open For mythology, which he finds interesting to region (which is large, about 1/4 of Sweden, Worlds on Friday the 13th of 1..",1-"""11",..'., research. David performs one public show a but sparsely populated) with two starmakers This program will explain the ...... u'.... ul')'-oJ 20 Planetarian Vol. finding extra-solar planets, describe the dis currently in the middle of production on a ingly role in planetaI'iUlm "' ... "'<'.011-1-"'_ covery process and speculate about the new show on scale and size, tentatively Hons, a growing number of plallle~taI~laI1S nature of the planets discovered. The show called If the Earth Were the Size of a Baseball, participating in ILDA (International goes into the tender topic of life in the uni which they plan to open in March. Also this Display Association). SEPA members verse. Their stance is that science can pro spring, they have added a new live school seen in force at the 1997 ILDA vide insights in the search for extraterrestrial show on the solar system. School groups will hosted by the Mueller life, but cannot yet give any definite have the option of choosing between three Lincoln, Nebraska this past answers. They also just finished a successful different versions of the show: one in which the 130 or so ... """ict-o ... "rl U'C:H::~allC:;), live presentation by Dr. David Grinspoon they land (or try to land) on each planet, were members of SEP A! entitled Earth's Twin Planet: Venus. It was a another in which they spend less detail but The Internet is being used more multimedia supplement to his book Venus try to see everything in the solar system, and as a means of business Revealed, which has quite a local following. a third version in which they compare the region. A SEP A web page is seen as In January, Fiske Planetarium will begin weather on each planet. tant addition to the of the presenting live astronomer talks on alternat zation. President-elect and COlnnmttee ing Wednesdays in addition to the first George Fleenor is still pursuing Friday of each month, as they have the last the web page on-line and he three years. With respect to their educational announce the availability of the The 1998 SEP A Conference will be held in objectives, the programs are the ultimate soon. Stay tuned! Roanoke, Virginia, 9-13 June. A trip to Green success. The talks are as visually stimulating bank Radio Observatory in West Virginia, an as pre-recorded shows, and they update the ice cream social, planetarium shows, vendor talks with new information and discoveries. exhibits, and lots more are in the offering for It requires professors who are willing to pre what promises to be an interesting and infor Kudos to SWAP members Jan sen t a similar talk on a regular basis, once a mative conference. The conference host is Wallace on the new Andrews semester or so. Since this represents a big Gary Close, Hopkins Planetarium. You can Newsletter - it's first class! The time commitment for the astronomer, and contact Gary at (+1 for US) 703-342-5710. composed of the Dallas/Fort Worth an even greater time commitment from the SEP A will hold its 1999 Conference in Jack at St. Marks School Planetarium planetarium, this sort of program isn't likely sonville' Florida. Specific dates will be date on area happenings. Host to be the financial salvation of a struggling announced later. also gave tours upstairs at institution. But it is a chance for people to be SEPA President Mike Chesman, Bays Dexter Many nl~'nt::,t-''''i",',,: a part of frontier astronomy, other than Mountain Park Planetarium, Kingsport, gearing up for their annual watching television science. It is a chance for Tennessee has begun work on the SEPA tions including Barbara Baber's planetarians to work directly with research Members' Guidebook. Mike envisions this room-only shows at the astronomers. This is a convenient relation publication in the form of a notebook that Planetarium in Abilene. SWAP'ers ship at Fiske, since they are located at the will be furnished to all SEPA members. One best wishes to Richardson I.SD. University of Colorado, which is one of the section will focus on members information, Donna Favour for husband biggest space schools around. Such coopera another on planetarium profiles, and the Noble Planetarium director tion could exist between any planetarium final section on businesses that serve the was seen numerous times on the and any college. region. A sample copy was shown at the 1997 sion touting the planet all;glllmenL The new Dorrance Planetarium in Conference in Pensacola. Mike hopes to have skies over Texas made for Phoenix, Arizona, is showing their infrared the final version ready for distribution to all U''''lATllrHT SW AP'ers show The Invisible Universe through Febru SEPA members sometime in 1998. ary. Ryan Wyatt and Christine Shupla are With laser technology playing an increas- Dr. Wayne Orchiston Phone: +49 89 3299 3374 Executive Director E-mail: hC~;ceJrnpE~-g.l.rcJt1ing.nlpg~.de Carter Observatory (National Observatory of Areas: ll ...... l ...... "-Jl ..... aJtlogmImla-lrayastr01101DV @ New Zealand) I k Wellington, New Zealand Thomas Address: P.O. Box 2909 Public Information Officer Please note that the following listings from Wellington, New Zealand DLR (German Aerospace Research last issue's Astronomy Link list have been Fax: +64 4 472 8320 Establishment) corrected for errors or omissions. E-mail: [email protected] Wessleng, liermlanv Areas: astr01101ny 00l11caltloln ailldl di:§pl;ays, E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Konrad Dennerl Mission: research MPE -Max Planck Institut fur Extraterrestrische Physik Giessenbachstrasse Dr. Helmut Steinle D-85748 Garching, Germany MPE Max Planck Institut fuer Phone: +49 89 3299 3862 Extraterrestrische Physik E-mail: [email protected] Giessenbachstrasse Area: etc.) 0-85748 Garching, Germany Vol. can happen. That willingness is based on their past experiences and the reputations of planetaria. A planetarium is revered. The visi tors, and even our colleagues down the hall, don't understand how our shows happen. Steve Tidey We can and should take advantage of that Maryvale Schools mystery. If we remove the name "planetari Planetarium um", how will the theater be regarded? It seems to me that planetaria are Science is constantly changing. It is mal now more than ever to encourage Buffalo, New York leable and interpretable in many cases. vide education in astronomy and space [email protected] Misconceptions blend with cultural and per ences. It also seems to me that many sonal beliefs. People like to blend ideas. tariums already serve as a forum for COl:nnrlU Bill Peters, from the Calgary Science Many enjoy blending pseudoscience into the nity interaction and dialogue. While Centre, inspired the subject for the Forum mix. Perhaps we can recognize this and planetaria are experimenting with pf()grarrls discussion in this issue. Taken from his allow for it to happen in shows to some based on other areas of scientific response to a previous topic, he admits that extent. (Yes, even I, a dedicated cynic of pseu enormous body of information his wording is perhaps stronger than he had doscience, am writing this). space and astronomy is enough to intended, but, as you'll see below, it generat I do not think that the public, those huge community busy for generations to come. ed some spirited responses from the planetar masses of people, are ready for science So why consider a change? Most ium community. Here is the topiC: forums. Here at the Franklin Institute question is a result of recent te(=hl10Ilojl~lCal Science Museum, we experimented with a advances and an industry entranced It is time to demolish the planetarium new theater a few years back. The Choices interactive multimedia. as a diorama of space and astronomy Forum Theater was designed to provide Think back to when desktop fJuuU,JaJuF> and reinvent it as forum for communi opportunities for the public to hear about came to the masses. For many years there ty interaction and dialogue, a forum environmental science issues, discuss them, was a lot of really bad work being created. that will involve people with all the sci debate them, as well as consider and vote on And only now, ten years later, are there hints ences, including space and astronomy, solutions to sticky or controversial science that we can make good use of the technolo more deeply than a planetarium as cur and technology dilemmas. it was a flop. The gy. The same can be said for interactive mul rently conceived ever could free shows would loose fifty to seventy five timedia. Unfortunately we are still in the per cent of their audiences during each infant stages, struggling to define what is Joyce Towne-Huggins is the first to step in show, even though the programming good, what is bad, and what makes sense. In the way of the bulldozer. seemed thorough and compelling to devel some ways, the planetarium community is a opers/educators. They tried both live and bit more advanced, though. We have been *** pre-taped video-wall formats. But the family practitioners of mul timedia since the audience didn't come to the museum pre part of this century. Yet we still strug;gle I disagree with the notion that it is time to pared to discuss science or voice their opin create engaging programs for our audiences. demolish the planetarium as a diorama of ions and views in a forum. They came to I'm not convinced that should space and astronomy. Perhaps our visitors do have their interest piqued, to play, to watch try to engage all of the sciences. There is not consider space and astronomy to be as each other make discoveries, to hear science very natural mapping between our applicable to, or as necessary for today's liv ideas communicated vividly and dramatical environments and the skies above. ing as they once did. It may be time to stop ly by professionals. They want to feel smart not be a bad idea, though, to take a presenting these topics as text book lessons, and connected. People are more likely to dis our product and evaluate ourselves terms and present the sky and cosmos in a differ cuss science ideas they had or heard later, in of quality, content, and community involve ent way. Meanwhile, why not explore and the privacy of their cars or home, after ment. If anything, we should make a con present other subjects and diSciplines of pop absorbing the new ideas into their schemata. certed effort to use those resources available ular interest? If there is a need for a community science to more effectively reach out to our Audiences desire to be inspired and forum it does not need to be a domed the ences. enchanted by rich entertainment. They pre ater, or perhaps I am having trouble imagin As a community we have a clear purpose - fer experiences to lectures, personal discov ing what form a forum would take. Dialog is to bring the stars down to Earth and to ery and insights to lessons. Art, music, the not easy to carry out in most planetaria. It is share them with everyone we can. If there ater and cultural explorations pop to mind not a great space for meetings or parties. I are creative ways that we can include other as likely enrichments to show as additional also find it cumbersome to do hands-on sci sciences in our offerings, then by all means, programming. Less science and more emo ence and demonstrations in sizable domed we should try them. Keep in mind, however, tion is a good formula. Experiment with theaters, even with a stage and stage lighting. that it is far better to do one thing very wen, good writing. An adjoining lab, classroom, or media center rather than do many things poorly. Our theaters are still ideal locations for would allow me to conceive of community Kevin C. Scott transporting visitors to other locations in science interaction. Chair, IPS Technical Committee the Universe, (outer space or inner space) We must be sensitive to audience enter planet scape or fractal basin. Our spaces tainment preference and the needs and goals * * * allow visitors to transcend time and space, of our institutions during this period of plan and inspire us to tell stories as no other the etarium metamorphOSiS. We are good at pre I feel very strongly that the "reinvention", aters do. Audience members are willing to senting popular science. We have little expe if you will, has already occurred. Planetari leave their rationalizations at the door and rience with community interaction. ums have been undergoing diversification enter an unknown place where anything Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian and evolution of utilization for several pace. We already have a number of glimpses tariums serviced the needs of decades. of what lies in the future in these magnifi nity better, wouldn't have On a formalized basis, there are a number cent, multi-purpose, domed theaters known about keeping the door open, of planetarium theaters that in many cases as "planetariums". worry about the doors are mainly "movie theaters". While many of John Hare Perhaps we can make an the film topics are astronomical, they are by President, Ash Enterprises work television Df()aC1Casnng. no means restricted to that subject. There are 3602 23rd Avenue West States, there used to be three TV ch,mnlels films on oceanography, geology, history, Bradenton, FL 34205 person could watch. Then came zoology, etc. that may, if at all, only touch dozens of programming choices. on astronomy. Likewise there are many *** options to choose from, the number "planetarium shows" that do the same. The pIe watching the three networks '-''--''-HelH...... Living Cell is an example of a topic that The key issues in the statement offered by Now the three networks have to ",,-L"UHLJL, could be illustrated very dramatically in a Bill Peters make greater sense when taken in regain their audience. high-tech planetarium. Also, don't you think the context of his entire response. In his case, Can we, like the three networks, that the architecture or math professor is his community not only helped in the the broadest desires of our audiences going to want to bring his class to the cam development of a newly designed science hope that everyone will like pus Digistar facility when he learns of the and space facility, but also inspired the adop do, or do we just accept the fact that neat spherical geometry structures that the tion of a new education philosophy. A phi only going to interest 20% of the LJ'--"VUJ,U,-'VU planetarium staff has just produced? losophy which establishes their science cen and be happy with that? If so, you Applications in other sciences will continue ter as the local resource for information tell your that you are to grow as more capabilities and software are about all sciences, and offers an environ ing to service the PBS crowd and not developed. ment for greater open dialog for visitors. I work population. (PBS is the The fact that a large and growing number applaud their initiative and its success. Broadcasting System showing educa- of facilities have the diversity of capabilities My experience is with a public school tional programming in the US and, that they do, is testament to the increasing planetarium. Nearly 80% of our programs most part, appeals to a limited uuuu.a •• ". diversity of their utilization in the sciences are curriculum-based school presentations. base). What do you do with the other 80%. as well as the arts. On a de facto basis, laser Our school district built the planetarium to Do we have different kinds of programs that shows are an example. Beyond the obvious emphasize astronomy education, while the would appeal to another 40% and and initial rationale of doing laser shows other sciences are taught in our school facili programming that would appeal to another (making money!), there are a number of ties specifically designed to meet their aca 25%? Do we do like the networks, pro planetariums that have integrated them into demic needs. Our main function is to teach duce programming that hopefully their overall mission. Not only has this pro concepts which are difficult to demonstrate everybody? Do we show vided direct and indirect support, but it is in the normal classroom, such as: seasons, the US, at least until about two years ago, serving a growing number of audiences planet pOSitions, or celestial motions. Since broadcast TV did not show throughout the world that have come to our priority must be to our students, our the but I've heard that in some Eurol)ean look at the art-form of laser shows and plane ater effects are designed to teach astronomy tries, partial or even full tarium venues as synonymous. An out and space exploration. I believe that we are uncommon) to appeal to a wide growth of traditional laser shows has been successful because our presentation format society? Who do we really want to the "educational" laser show, where the laser fits our educational philosophy. Our primary that's the we capabilities are used in productions that are purpose does not allow us the time or fund to ask. Once you are comfortable heavily phYSics-oriented. Theater, dance, live ing to extend our services to that of a much audience you want, set up your music, poetry, as well as other, and some larger community science resource center. reach that audience(s). In most times bizarre, art forms have all made It is evident that the role of the planetari tariums would like to serve most of imoads into the planetarium environment. um in the advancement of science literacy in ulation. Shouldn't everyone have some Regardless of what has been, continues to our communities is extremely important. ence If so, is it just in astronomy be, and will be argued in the future, to sub But I feel that each institution must evaluate and space science? Again, in scribe to the idea that the planetarium its own goals and philosophy, and make pro pl,mE~taJriums are trying to service should be defined by a strict set of criteria is gramming decisions based on those goals. the needs of a broader audience to bury ones head in the sand. I am not sug Only then can a comfortable level of different types of show - ones about gesting that there will not continue to be involvement for each planetarium and its ture, Star Trek, biology, African institutions dedicated solely to the purpose surrounding community be established. cherrlis1:ry and yes, even laser light shows all of "providing a diorama of space and astron Dave DeRemer appealing to different audiences, different omy". This purpose is no reason to provide School District of Waukesha learning styles and different limitations, however. Is a planetarium "sell Charles Z. Horwitz Planetarium Currently we are running a show about ing out" by running laser shows or Imax? Is VVaukesha, VVI 53186 Renaissance artist. (Its at an Imax theater "selling out" by running the office but we knew in it Rolling Stones? At what point does some *** appeal to a selected population). thing cease to be mission specific, or profit I've often wondered astronomy was or greed-driven, and not also be considered Apparently two planetariums have the only science with its own theater, purpose- or mission-related? already done that, Calgary and Hayden, but science museums sprang up and you In the modern planetarium, technology for the rest of us, just keeping the doors open see other sciences up on the driven capabilities and, as a result, program is the battle we are fighting. The argument maybe there is a reason astronomy ming continue to expand at an accelerating could be made that if these traditional plane- very own theater - maybe it's the rea- 24 Planetarian Vol. son that astronomy is the oldest science. I nel containing, literally, a series of dioramas *** would suspect that astronomy holds more of space and astronomy. fascination for the general public than any But, as Bill Peters points out in the Nonsense. other science. If we can use astronomy thoughtful letter from which the current Mark pp1rpr,~p-n and/or the planetarium to raise the science question is adapted, there needs to be more. Loch Ness Productions literacy of the world's population, then we Our programs must reflect the interdisci PO 1159 have done a good thing. plinary nature of modem science, must har Groton, MA 01450-3159 But do we need to tear down planetariums monize message with medium, and must to do this? I would hope we could just adapt. take into account the psychological, social As I pointed out above, we are already adapt and cultural aspects of science. Rochester's ing. Some museums are installing Digistars planetarium is a department of a larger So it looks as if the bulldozers will rather than traditional star projectors museum of local and natural history that have to look elsewhere for work. because of its versatility (we've talked about can help put our programs in a broader con The planetarium doing a show on furniture with our Digistar). text - for audiences and staff alike. We are aware than ever before of the need con We don't have to start from scratch. We can developing linked planetarium and museum stantly re-evaluate what we do and how we do a good thing or two with what we have. programs and exhibits to create a more com do it. Complacency is death in this business, Gary Tomlinson plete experience for our visitors. but fortunately we are blessed with Chaffee Planetarium We are forging relationships with profes sionals who are often at the bit to 272 Pearl NW sional scientists for the first time in our plan try new ways of keeping the cur- Grand Rapids, MI 49504 etarium's history. By the time this reaches rent and to an eager print, we expect to have arranged a seminar Here is the topic for the next Forum: *** in which Dr. Jim Bell of the Mars Pathfinder Imaging Team will meet simultaneously What needs to be demolished is smugness with several high school classes in our region and its attendant patterns: resistance to via the new Rochester Area Interactive learning from our audiences or from events Telecommunications Network. Among in the outside world; slavish adherence to other ideas to involve the community in the planetarium tradition; lazy, bromidic expla adventure of discovery, we are offering an nations; stereotyped, condescending respons evening course in which participants learn es to frequently, but sincerely asked ques how to operate our Zeiss VI projector. tions. We believe the word "planetarium" still In Rochester, we find that there is still a has a clear and positive connotation in our need for a diorama of space - if it's a good market, and is an asset even when associated diorama, used in some wider context. Even with a program that takes place outside the though our schedule and our attendance star theater. And an essential part of the numbers are currently dominated by large Strasenburgh Planetarium's identity remains any dillferent? format films ranging from "Whales" to the starry sky, infinitely profound in its "Super Speedway," our audiences consistent many significances. deiligJhtE~d to receive your ly ask to see stars as well. Recognizing this, Steve Fentress tions 12. Until then,let's our main star show, "The Universe Tonight", Director, Strasenburgh Planetarium Prospector finds water-ice in them thar always includes at least eight minutes of Rochester Museum & Science Center hills. stars with no other visual effects. And one of 657 East Avenue our best-loved exhibits is a black-light tun- Rochester, New York 14607 (Books, continued from page 14) doing, he takes the reader from man's earliest research trends together in a book accessible mUSings about the stars, through the devel to the advanced layman. However, the text At the same time, it is not overly deep and opment of our understanding our own star, is becoming dated in the recent dis most readers with a college education or and finally provides a picture of our place in coveries of systems. Nevertheless, moderate awareness of current trends in the universe which is so dependent upon the it remains a compelling read and one diffi- astrophysics or the reports of Sky & Telescope, Sun. cult to put down once you it up. Add or perhaps, Astronomy magazines, should In that process, he shows us that the Sun is to your library if you do not have have little difficulty following the author's a rather pedestrian middle-aged star, neither your own copy. descriptions of the various aspects of the life too small, nor too spectacular. He also leads of a star. However, I am not sure it could be the reader to an understanding of the neces recommended for that precocious 9 year-old sary interaction between dark and bright nephew unless you are willing to accept that nebulae and stellar evolution, the interstellar NY Credit Omitted he will not understand it all. Be scared if he medium and the structure of our own The portion of the proposal for the does. galaxy. Along the way he visits the question den Planetarium to host the IPS 2002 (last Kaler approaches his subject in a studied of an open or closed universe, and issue) titled should you choose manner over the course of seven chapters, addresses the possibility of life elsewhere. New York as the site ... /1 should have patiently building a base of understanding The author provided a valuable service in tified the author as Francine Oliver. before proceeding to the next subject. In so bringing many of the then (1992) current Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian SHOW KITS AVAILABLE FROM THE DON'T DUCK, LOOK UP! A fun, friendly and interactive exploration of the sky! Designed especially through 1st graders, this is an ideal first for primary school audiences. Your presenter this program blending live interaction with prerecorded segments. - 20 minutes / 108 slides / $450 LIFE BEYOND EARTH* Consider the possibility of life elsewhere in our galaxy and throughout the universe. - Production Book with annotated script, -31 minutes / 368 slides / $350 visual list, special effects notes, and educational materials DESTINATION: UNIVERSE, OUR FUTURE IN SPACE* • Soundtrack on cassette, Journey into the future from a space station out to the stars. Dolby B, ( or dbx -38 minutes / 321 slides / $350 ~ - Slides WORLDS OF WONDER* Distribution, Davis Planetarium Investigate some of the exciting discoveries made about Maryland Science the worlds in our Solar System. 601 Light Street -25 minutes / 314 slides / $350 Baltimore, PARTNER * SHIP * EARTH* Explore our planet from its violent birth to today and see how its wealth of resources make life possible. Find out how we can better preserve and enjoy the future of the world. - 25 minutes / 250 slides / $350 by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation SCIENCE CENTER gems that I recently download ed from that bottomless cyber Computer resource, the world wide web. All three programs, in either Corner complete or demo format can be downloaded from: http: Ilwww.cvc.org/astronomy Ifreeware.htm Ken Wilson Science Museum of Virginia 'Space Weight' is the lightest or the option to send the results to a printer. of the three, weighing in at a mere 16.6 Kb. And the fact that the display only uses [email protected] It's a Windows version of that ever popular American pounds as a weight unit limits the 'What would you weigh on other planets?' appeal of the program for most of the rest of 'Space Weight' version 1.0b exhibit that many of us have or have seen in the world. Nonetheless, you can't beat the by Navin Maharaj planetarium or museum exhibit areas. The price - free! This might be a good one for an Windows freeware traditional version of this exhibit requires elementary level American science class, or you to stand on a scale for all the world to as a computer exhibit, especially for 'Astronomy Clock' version 1.14 see as your Earth weight is displayed along Astronomy Day. with your weight on other bodies of the I Astronomy Clock' takes up a little more by David C. Irizarry solar system. This software version saves you Windows shareware disk space (112 Kb) and is of more limited that potential embarrassment by allowing interest. When launched it produces a win you to enter your weight from the privacy dow with a real time digital clock which dis 'H-R Calc' version 2.0 of your own desktop and clicking on a radio plays hours, minutes and seconds in either by Eric Bergman-Terrell button to select a planet. Presto, your weight Local Mean Time (12 or 24 hr format), Uni Windows shareware on that planet is instantly displayed! Unfor versal Time, Local Sidereal Time, or Green tunately, the program does not include an wich Sidereal Time. The accuracy of this dis This time we'll take a look at three little option for your weight on the Earth's Moon play depends on your pre-selecting a city of Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian 27 worth its $7.50 eX(lmplE~s, the star's common (US) registration in a text box. the mouse fee. adds the absolute m;:lgnitude, 'H-R Calc' is a neat little pro Some 200 additional stars gram that only gobbles up 1.07 This file can be edited and updated Mb (very mod est by today's standards) of disk territory. It produces a user friendly, inter active Hertz same information as a sprung-Russell star with selected orbits of solar diagram. Spec ets for The most .o-n,(T'>tTlrltT tral classes from ture of 'H-R Calc' is its 'whatif' 05 to beyond dragging a star within the H-R di2lgr,lm M are indicated changing its temperature and/or HU''''~J'''',n-<, on the X-axis you can see how its radius would and 1uminosi ty Thus, 'H-R Calc' could form the is indicated in interesting lab exercise for an initroduct()ry the form of astronomy class. Better yet, turn a "Absolute Visu student loose on this program and location or by entering your longitude, and al Magnitude" and "Visual Brightness ( X they build a real intuitive feel for on the accuracy of your computer's system Sun)" along the y-axis. The major stellar fam H-R means. The greatest clock. Unfortunately, the program does not ilies such as su pergian ts, giants, main of the fully functional trial version allow you to enter an arbitrary time and sequence, and so on, are all mapped and program is that it times out and shuts have it converted to any of the other time labeled. In addition, the Sun and ten well after a few minutes. To get a version systems. The addition of such a feature, known stars, like Betelgeuse, are indicated by this annoying feature, need along with a Julian date display would go diamond shaped markers. If you place the with $15.00 (US) for a copy of the ~~fo.'.~'~L~~ along way toward making this program cross-shaped cursor over one of these star version. had many interesting paper submissions. If you have not already applied, and have a burning wish to contribute to a paper or discussion session, please let us know (even though the deadline has passed!) Some of you have only sent us the preliminary application form, please let us have your Everyone should have registered by now, technical reqUirements as soon as possible. EXHIBITORS March 31st is your deadline for us using the forms for registration and paper You have some deadlines still to meet. If applications in the Registration' Pack your completed papers. You must keep to you haven't requested time on this deadline if you want your application which was sent to every IPS member in Video Wall to "showcase" your nr,~rl11rt'" November. We understand there have to be confirmed, and also to be printed in do consider this. We still have room for been difficulties in some areas with postal the Conference Proceedings. Please - don't more! deliveries, and many of you did not delay! March 31st- the balance of receive this pack before Christmas, so we As you read this, we will be scheduling the ment various paper sessions, and it will be diffi are extending the deadline until March v:l.d,eo lreQ1UeIllCes to be 31st. So if you haven't yet registered, you cult, if not impossible, to accommodate the videowalL still can. Please do NOT wait until you additional contributions, especially from anyone who turns up in London unex arrive in London, as it may be difficult to ADVERTISERS fit you in. pected. PAPER SUBMISSIONS At the time of writing we have already We have received some very generous offers of sponsorship, for which the organ- 28 Planetarian Vol. UEsnON: What is most frequently asked question about ANSWER: That's easy. Everybody asks about our theme song which is the classic 'Arabesque #1' by Claude Debussy performed by Tomita on the still available "Snowflakes Are Dancin~fI album (RCA) I, QUESTION: At what times and days of the week can I see 'STAR GAZER'l • ANSWER: Most TV stations air 'STAR GAZER' just before nightly sign-off. However, due to 'STAR GAZER'S' enormous popularity a number of stations find the show's 5-minute format can fit any where during the broadcast day and air the show more fre quently. Local TV listings seldom include 5-minute shows, so it's best to call the station for the broadcast schedule. QUESTION: If I can't find 'STAR GAZER' on my hometown PBS station, how can • see it where I livel ANSWER: 'STAR GAZER' is provided frff. of ~ by WPBT, Miami to all PBS stations. If you can't find it, write or call your local PBS station and ask if they will air it and remind them that it ~ avai lable free. of ~. l QUESTION: Is it necessary to get special permission to use ISTAR GAZER' for astronomy club meetings, teaching in the The world's first and only weekly TV series classroom, science museum or planetarium use? on naked-eye astronomy ANSWER: No. In fact, many astronomy clubs, teachers, science museums and planetariums have been taping 'STAR GAZER' off the air and using it regularly as a way to reach their public. "".one of the few writers who can translate sophisticated disciplines into QUESTION: Is there any way I can get "STAR GAZER' other than popular language without losing the science. my local PBS station 1 Dr. Sidney Fox, Nobel Laureate ANSWER: Yes. A month's worth of 'STAR GAZER' episodes are fed monthly to a satellite from which all PBS stations take it for their "... knows how to come down from local programming. Anyone with a satellite dish is welcome to the ivory tower and make astronomy the satellite feed. Again, no permission is required. For satellite accessible. " feed dates and times call Monday through Friday (Eastern time) Lovi, Astronomer 305-854-4244. Ask for Ms. Harper or Mr. Dishong. American Planetarium QUESTION: I am a teacher planning my curriculum and would like several 4STAR GAZER' episodes in ad ", .. 1 never miss it. As someone totally vance, but I do not have access to a satellite dish. involved in science fiction, I'm enthralled Is there any ~ way Rcan obtain ISTAR GAZER'l with Jack Horkheimer's science fact. " John Nathan Turner, ANSWER: Any teacher anywhere around the world can obtain Executive Producer, 'Dr. Who' 'STAR GAZER' episodes in advance through their NASA e.O.R.E. Teachers' Resource Center. For details write: NASA e.O.R.E.; Lorain County Joint Vocational School; 15181 Route 58 South; Oberlin, OH. 44074. Or visit our website: www.jackstargazer.com QUESTION: Why does 'STAR GAlER' always say uKeep at the end of each showl Produced in cooperation with Miami Museum of Science & ANSWER: Have you ever tried star gazing looking down? Space Transit UI",nl"\i",.,. .. " um at the United States Air Force /\ ,-."rl"~,, tional in Colorado Springs, reports that their chief technician Glosson is going to be leaving for another assignment, date as yet unknown. We'll miss him at conferences! Cary Sneider, former Director of the Holt Planetarium at Lawrence Hall of Science, Univ. of California, Berkeley, has accepted a position at Museum of Science in Boston, as Vice President of Programs. LHS is sad to lose him-he will be missed. Lucky Boston Museum of Science! There are no plans to point, they were find a replacement for him; Alan Gould is anteed To Pick now the Acting Director of the Holt Plane this says about IJH'IU'-LUIIULLC). tarium. (Twice as much work for Alan!) to have laser point'ers, Many planetarL:ms Our have visited China fax to the family of architect Carl F. W. Kael [email protected] ber, designer of the Strasenburgh Plane tarium and other well-known structures in Good equinox to everyone! I hope to see Rochester, New York, who died on December many of you this summer in London; the 12,1997. He was 80. Mr. Kaelber's family held summer is sneaking up rapidly on us! Please a celebration of his life in the Strasenburgh write or call if there's anything you'd like to star theater on January 16; over 200 friends see in Gibbous in the June issue of the and family members attended. In a 1993 oral Planetarian-but it must be received by me history interview, Mr. Kaelber described the before April 20th, 1998. If anyone would like Strasenburgh project as the highlight of his to come visit Ryan Wyatt (Planetarium Man career, notably because the planetarium ager) or me here at the Dorrance Planetarium staff, general contractor and architect in Phoenix, we would love to show you worked together on the design from its earli around our new facility. Just call or write est stages. According to Steve Fentress and let us know when you will be here. We (Director, Strasenburgh Planetarium), the will be hosting a multi-regional conference sweeping curves and harmonious propor in September 1999, and of course everyone is tions of the 30-year-old Strasenburgh build invited. ing delight visitors to this day. to Donna Favour (Richardson ISD Plane tarium, Dallas Texas), whose husband is now to Barbara Baber (Morgan Jones Plane in a nursing home. tarium, Abilene Texas), who has quit smok ing! She also was awarded Abilene I.S.D. Secondary Teacher of the Year Award by the Pam :Eastlick (Director of the Pution Tasi Association of Texas Professional Educators! Planetarium, on Guam) had a h""ir_"'li,oi.,,., .. (and almost dome-raising) fortu People on Move: nately neither she nor her planetarium blew Kevin Lane-Cummings will be leaving the away in Supertyphoon Paka last December! position of Planetarium Supervisor at Pacific Pam says that it wasn't earth-shattering, but Etienne, France) says are Science Center in Seattle to "follow his bliss" the wind set a new world record (237 MPH) - information about traditional and start flight training to become a profes but not over Pam's house. Actually, both of customs related to astronomy (seasons, sional pilot. He hopes to start earning her bedroom windows blew in and she had stices and so on). He would like picmE'tax'iaJ1S money, probably as a flight instructor, by Paka in her bedroom all night, but other from all countries, to send him the summer of 1999. His last day was than some books, curtains and some Christ calendars, of view about this 11"",,,,,,,,,,,1 February 26, and his new email address is mas presents, she didn't lose too much. The and fundamental [email protected]. planetarium got about an inch of water on to know if you are interested On November 10, 1997 Jim Craig became the tile floor though a ceiling seam leak, but itself, the new Assistant Planetarium Director at the instrument and the carpet are undam Buhl Planetarium has a new show the Schiele Museum Planetarium in aged. Mars-Return to the Red Planet should be Gastonia, North Carolina. Steve Morgan, the Dunn (Ralph Mueller Planetarium, able the time you read this. former Assistan t Planetarium Director, Lincoln Nebraska) says that ILDA '97 was the (Producer, Buhl Planetarium, Dit+"~,\l11·'" stepped down to take a teaching position. largest meeting ever. They had around 130 obtained Mark as Jim is still the director of the planetari registrants from over 17 countries. Jack the narrator. It should be available for $795 um and assistant curator of the museum. observed that laserists eat and drink even Mickey Schmidt, Director of the planetari- more than the planetarians (except for those in SEPA). With such a large interna- 30 Planetarian the Dawn Princess cruise starting from that such cooperation could exist between the local media Puerto Rico the 21st of February in order to any planetarium, and any college. For Fiske watch the eclipse, along with 22 people. Planetarium the benefit has been exposure Such a rough life! Mark and to knowledge and visualization techniques. (Loch Ness Productions, Groton, Massachu Several professors have allowed them to add setts) also joined thousands of other eclipse slides from their research to our planetarium watchers for the February 26 eclipse of the collection. For the college the benefit is sun. They headed out on the MS Statendam access to a different section of the communi to cruise the Caribbean. Carolyn is currently ty. "Outreach" and "Community Involve busy co-editing the fourth edition of The ment" are increasingly on the minds of Uni New Solar System with Kelly Beatty and versity administrators. This might indicate Andy Chaikin. Loch Ness will be marketing opportunity to increase relationships their "Light Years from Andromeda" show between colleges and off-campus planetaria. this spring. Aaron Guzman (Planetarium Coordinator, The Story Planetarium Last-Minute Don Harrington Discovery Center, Amarillo, Pardon as written by J. Scott Miller, Program Texas) is looking forward to finally having a Coordinator, Rauch Memorial Planetarium, satellite dish. He says it should be up and University of Louisville, Kentucky: running in plenty of time for its debut on This story starts off as many we have seen Astronomy Day. regarding planetariums. Those not involved Jeff Bowen (Bowen Productions, Indian in the day-to-day activities of the planetari apolis) has announced formation of a new um making decisions to close or reduce subsidiary, VisualFX. VisualFX will focus in activities without getting the input of those trustees as well. the area of visual special effects, with an directly involved. But, it ends on a bit higher For me, it was both dark and emphasis on producing video and graphics note, perhaps offering a bit of encourage because of the decision and my lack materials for space theaters, science centers, ment to those that find themselves in similar kind of input in the process, visitors centers, and museum projects. circumstances. of the many calls and letters of support Among other current custom show projects, During the spring of 1997, I was approach the Kentucky and Indiana area and Bowen Productions/VisualFX staff recently ed by a reporter working for the local news But, I doubt the administration was produced a library of three-screen panoram paper. He wanted to know my opinion of the brightness. ic video materials for the first new Spitz the building of a new parking garage for the Finally, with the end of the semester, Electric Sky theatre in the Canadian Yukon. art museum behind which we find ourselves. administration announced that a These materials are viewable in panoramic Specifically, he had seen plans which, if used, ty would be built. The I-''''''U.~L~LA'''UH 180 x 65 degree entirety in the Spitz dome would require the planetarium to be knock moved, brick brick if necessary, showroom at Chadds Ford. VisualFX is also ed down to make room for the new struc the large outcry this annarel1tl developing a new laserdisc library of show ture. This was the first I had heard of any formed decision had made. On Thllr.erl""" enhancement animations and effects for thing of this, so you can imagine my surprise that same week, I was informed planetarium applications. Jeff states the first and concern. I fired off a note to my was a press conference to be held disc will be very different in nature from the ors, inquiring if they knew of anything of the building at 1:30. I was excellent currently available Sky-Skan mate this nature. They promised to look into it, the details, I was told I would rials, and will serve as a perfect enhancement but to their knowledge, there was no such heard. I so, for I would be relea~)lng to the Sky-Skan disc collections. thing afoot. our last show's visitors at the same Glen Moore (Science Centre and Being of a suspicious nature, brought on there would be lots the local Planetarium, Wollongong, Australia) has primarily by the past history of the planetar could grab for V'I-'H~.'V"" been using a CCD camera and a small b/w ium and the university, I continued to make news. monitor so that visitors can move the inquiries off-and-on throughout the rest of The press conference called Science Centre's Celestron 8 under supervi the spring and into the summer months. announce the of a $1.1 J.BlLAH'VB sion and many people can watch. He says Each time, there was no real indication from they can even turn the monitor upside the higher ups of anything possibly being down for US and European visitors! wrong. Come November, and I'>"I'>r\.rtl"lina Fiske Planetarium (Boulder, Colorado) is begins to fall into place. After starting the and county governments, again presenting live astronomer talks on semester quietly on the subject, there were amounting to about $1.6 million alternating Wednesdays in addition to the more phone calls from the local paper. figure the administration had __ AU.AUll'-'-' first Friday of each month. Geoff Skelton Another reporter this time, but with much would need to build a new (Program Supervisor, Fiske Planetarium) says more information than that which the first Now the process of they have found these talks to be a success, presented to me. Finally, the week before tion, designing a new with good crowds. It is a chance for audi Thanksgiving, we got word that the demise okay from state government for ences to be a part of "frontier" astronomy, of the planetarium in deference to a parking building, and lots more has other than watching television science, and garage was to be on the university's Board of more questions than answers, the a chance for planetarians to work directly Trustees agenda in a meeting scheduled that being whether I will be retained to with research astronomers. This is a conve Monday afternoon. new facility and whether I will be nient relationship at Fiske, as they are locat Monday afternoon, Tuesday, and Wed ed at the University of Colorado. Geoff says nesday, the phones did not stop ringing as (Please see V&jlJ'J!A'~ Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian iDolta ens in th Er e' .. Minolta leads all other manufacturers in the for multimedia equipment. Using the SMPTE control standard it is possible to combine the INFINIUM's Space Traveling all-sky computer graphics projector displays, laser as well as slide and special effects projectors to create *SPICE Autometion is registered trademark of Sky Skan, Inc, North America: Minolta Corporation / Planetarium Division 101 Williams Drive Ramsey, N,J, 07446, U,SA Tel: (1)-201-934-5347 Fax: (1)-201-818-0498 Southeast Asia: Minolta Malaysia Sdn, Bhd, / Planetarium Division No, 12, Jalan SS 8/2, Sungai Way, 47300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, Tel: (60)-3-7761133, 7756541 Fax: (60)-3-7761767 Minolta Planetarium ltd. 2-30, Toyotsu cho, Suita, Osaka 564, Japan Tel: (81 )6-386-2050 Fax: (81 )6-386-2027 ONLY FROM THE MIND 1996's Comet Hyakutake. The intrepid group entitled Comet Explorer which sells for $29.95 What~ traveled to Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains U.S. pI us $5 for shipping and handling. The New in March, 1996, to photograph 900 images of video, including the two comet movies, the comet over a ten-night period, turning appears in assorted snippets throughout the some 600 of the images into a 40-second CD-ROM, which offers a very good primer Jim Manning motion picture showing the comet moving on comets, from the history of human Taylor Planetarium against the stars as its gas tail changed in the regard for these hairy stars, through modem solar wind. It's a remarkable feat, and the 45- research and study on their origins and Museum of the Rockies minute video chronicles both the technical make-up and the threat of impact. Well Montana State University effort and the exceptional results - pro known modern examples are cited through claimed by some astronomers as some of the out, including Hyakutake, Hale-Bopp, Bozeman, Montana 59717 best time-lapse comet footage created to Halley's, the Jupiter-bumping Shoemaker date. Levy 9, and the fleet IRAS-Araki-Alcock. In Given the celestial extravagances of 1996 In addition, one of the Canadians stayed addition, the CD-ROM offers tips on comet and 1997, it seems almost odd not to have a home in Ontario and recorded a series of viewing and comet-hunting, and there is a new comet blazing in the sky this March. CCD images of the inner coma through a 7- simple but clever demonstration of the But for those experiencing comet withdraw inch (17.5cm) refractor, which he trans starfield-sweeping technique employed by al, there are products about to help you formed into a IS-second movie showing jets comet hunters, with various fuzzy objects to relive the glories of recent apparitions. And of dust spraying off the obscured nucleus notice and identify - including a new this month's column opens with a couple of into space. comet. them. Both short "movies" are wonderful to see, The text and design are crisp and neat, offering views of Hyakutake from a perspec there are many fine images of comets and Comet Movies tive that can't be obtained from still photog other appropriate subjects (including some I've recently become alerted to a new raphy. It's something you'll want for your Hubble images), and there is a useful short video called Comet Odyssey put out by Cyan own video library, and is quite serviceable glossary of terms and a resource list. The CD ogen Productions, Inc., 25 Conover Street, for the classroom and the gift shop. Comet ROM also offers a shareware "Earth-Centered Nepean, Ontario, Canada, K2G 4C3, tele Odyssey costs $24.95 U.S. plus $S for shipping Universe" desktop "planetarium" for a 30- phone +1 613 225 2732, fax +1 613 225 9688, and handling. You might also inquire with day sampling, and another program offering web site: Has Digitizer, Will Score I've also recently learned of another com poser and recording artist interested in scor ing planetarium shows. Kevin Keller, who can be contacted at Zebra MUSic, 1563 Solano Avenue #245, Berkeley, California 94707 USA, +1 510 835 3165, e-mail: Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Planetarian 33 check out Kevin Keller as given above - per you could play with astronaut stuff (and don Space Center Houston materials. AQj.acelrlt haps for some samples of work and rates. You real astronaut work gloves), facilities housing to JSC is Space Center Houston, where the might also contact Bing Quock at Morrison a test model of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle space effort is very nicely chronicled and who could offer a testimonial. - the "lifeboat" being designed for the space packaged for consumption by the station - and all sorts of other interesting There is an IMAX theater there (which dou Out of Johnson Space Center places. For someone who grew up with the bled as an auditorium during my visit for the space programs of the 60s, it was a veritable public briefing of the space shuttle mission Last November, I had a wonderful oppor candy store! that retrieved U.S. astronaut Michael Foale tunity to attend "Inspection '97" at the John I'm still absorbing and shuffling through from the Mir space station - looking none son Space Center aSC) in Houston, Texas the blizzard of experiences and information the worse for having battled fires, computer USA. The event was a three-day "open and leads I acquired, but I offer a small sam failures, and a hull breech during his a house" at the Center, in which the doors pling here of some of the tidbits I picked up. fine collection of space capsules and hard were thrown open for hundreds of "private Look for more, perhaps, next time. ware including Mercury, Gemini, and sector" visitors to make contacts, learn of the Educational Materials. I spent a good deal capsules and an authentic moon rover train work being done there, and explore ways to of time at the Education Office area, and ing vehicle, an excellent mock-Up of create partnerships with Center programs. picked up some useful bits of news. NASA a mock-Up of the shuttle crew compartment, The open house was geared primarily for will be preparing meteorite sample disks and and a section of Mir (tipped at an angle companies and manufacturers, which were accompanying teaching exercises very simi inside to give you an effective attack of ver able to sniff about for ways in which they lar to its popular lunar sample disk program; tigo); some top-notch lunar rocks on display, can take advantage of space research or help the word was that the new materials would interesting secondary theaters, a child's play meet the materials, equipment, and processes be "out soon" - so keep an eye out. There's a area, assorted exhibits, a gift shop, a staging needs of space programs in development. But new set of educational materials called area for tram tours of JSC - and a vendor it was also a potential bonanza of experi "Liftoff to Learning in Space" which is sched area for that space age ice cream that comes ences for educators who slipped in with the uled to be ready as I write this inJanuary; the frozen as tiny spherules. crowd. materials, for grades 5-8, concentrate on The Center also has a significant teacher Two of the primary program thrusts at mathematics relating to rendezvous maneu resource center which offers a variety of edu Johnson these days - in addition to the vers, as I understand. There are plans for new cator workshops during the year as well as space shuttle program - are the internation "Living in Space" educational materials for educational materials. One set in particular, al space station and future manned Mars mis grades K-4 and 5-8 focused on the space sta on display at the Center's )SC booth, caught sions, and all three were much in evidence. tion and U.S. National Education Standards, my eye: the "Cosmic Classroom" series, avail Most of the Center's buildings were open for an updated teacher's guide on microgravity, able free to teachers through a grant from tours and exploration, and there were booths and a revised "Suited for Spacewalking" the Toyota USA Foundation. These are a set everywhere packed with people to talk to, guide, all scheduled to be available in con of six spiral-bound "resource modules" for models and constructs to examine, informa junction with spring education conferences. grades K-2, 3-5, 4-8, 7-10, high school-nh''''''r'''' tional take-aways to pilfer, and sign-up You might contact Billie Deason of the science, and high school life science, intend sheets to get more information. There were Education and Information Services Branch ed to offer an integrated approach to teach opportunities to visit Mission Control (both at Johnson Space Center, telephone +1 281 ing science with other topiCS. Each consists the old one from the Apollo days and the 483 8646, fax +1 281 483 4876, e-mail: of a series of specific exercises with a science new one where a shuttle exercise was in 34 Planetarian Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 available for a mere $5 U.s. to cover shipping. color and black-and-white images of the By now, I have quite a collection of space Requests should be made in writing, on Deep Field. station artist's conceptions as it has ch(m~~ed school letterhead, to: Diane Kane, Space This is a nice exercise to have and use, regularly over the years, but this may be the Center Houston, 1601 NASA Road One, employing current data in a simple and final version at last -- considering that the Houston, Texas 77058 USA. If you're looking straightforward way - which gives students first modules go up this year! If you want for some new (and integrated) approaches to at least a cursory notion of how real scien one, contact a NASA Teacher Resource astronomy/space teaching, you'll definitely tists attack their data to wring out useful Center or NASA center; the identifying num want to investigate these materials. information. The package can be obtained ber is LG-1997-08-456-HQ. Facts and Hubble Deep Field Activities. An addition through the NASA Headquarters Education basic information, and a basic schedule for al mailing I received from Space Center Division or through NASA Teacher Resource completion adorn the back. Houston contained a number of NASA edu Centers; its designation is EG-1997(0l)-002- Additional hand-outs were also available cation booklets, most of which I already GSFC. at JSC, including basic information (with have. But there was one in the bunch that I International Space Station Materials. One data on the station's first crew scheduled to didn't have: the Hubble Deep Field Lesson of the interesting training areas at JSC was a set up housekeeping in January 1999), an Package, under the heading of "Amazing mock-up of the modules for the internation assembly sequence, and a color-coded dia Space: Education On-Line from the Hubble al space station. The training modules were gram of the completed station irl""ntiihriinrr Space Telescope." This activity booklet, true full-size and arranged on the floor of a large the contributions of the U.S., Russia, Canada, to U.S. National Science Education Standards, building to match the configuration of the Japan, and Europe. Good stuff to have as the uses the famous Hubble Deep Field to run final product as well as can be had in a two effort becomes ever more newsworthy. students in grades 4-8 through a basic analy dimensional arrangement of a three-dimen Stardust. During my visit, I had an oppor sis of the full WFPC2 image, including sional structure. A scale model of this latest tunity to chat with Eileen Stansberry of the counting galaxies to estimate the galactic version of the station hung adjacent to the Earth Science and Solar System Exploration population of the universe, identifying and mock-Up, and 1997 artist's conception pic Division about the upcoming Stardust mis classifying galaxy types, and estimating tures, showing "assembly complete," were sion, scheduled to launch in February 1999 galaxy distances in space. Included are both available. to rendezvous with Comet Wild 2 in 2004, Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 Plane tar ian collect cometary particles on panels smeared understand the forces at work, with appro with "aerogel" (think high-tech petroleum priate reverence for the scientific method jelly) and return the samples to Earth in and plenty of opportunities to read, write, The Virtual t.xplC)ratlOln .lVUC""VJl.L. 2006. There's a useful web site with lots of analyze, and employ other diSCiplines. the External Affairs information about this latest in the "faster, I did have a moment's disquiet wondering Ames Research Center better, cheaper" Discovery series mission at if some of the concepts and lingo are a lot to 36 Planetarian Vol. many good and I especially liked interested in next year's ;rH:no:>ri-iAT"I cians), assorted arts-and-crafts m2ltelriaJs, the 3-D simulations - and the fact that the contact Johnson to make rubber bans that look program took time to explain in simple You might try the reg;istlratilon terms how are created. Accompanying tact from this past ms>pecnon: the CD-ROM are a teacher guide and student meyer, Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA logbook which help to direct students in Road One, Houston, Texas 77058 USA, or try their interactions with the digital informa the following numbers: telephone +1281244 tion and to them toward their deci 1316, fax +1 281 483 9191 or +1 281244 5484. sions about which landing site to choose. There is also and reinforcing information and activities (for example, con One can find a catalog for almost any siderable space is taken to explain the con thing these days, and new ones are always cept of topographic maps and how to read popping up. An astronomically-related one them and make them) to help round out the that popped into my awareness not too long exercise. ago is one from a place called "Celestial All in all, I found it to be a very interesting Products," P.O. Box 801, Middleburg, interactive concept, and lots of fun; I think it 20118 USA, telephone +1 540 338 4040 or 800 will work wen as a classroom project if you 235 3783, fax +1 540 338 4042, e-mail: Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian However, note that a solder first. Then tip - one which is cOlnpletl21y der traces - can work against you when heating the metal components. This is solder because the actual tip-to-component contact area is very small, and this "heat bottleneck" inserted thI·ough, impedes heat transfer. For this reason, it's best to "tin", the soldering iron's heat-tip with a small blob of solder, before contact ing it to the components. DOing so will increase total surface contact and accelerate them. Later U-,,'U.""'-.HU heat transfer. Once heated, you can then apply solder directly to the components to complete the solder joint. Dirt and debris can foul up the works Sooner or later, most of us must do some when soldering, so make sure to the tip soldering. Perhaps you've run into a wire of your soldering-iron clean. As you work, connection that's pulled loose from a con residual flux from the solder will carbonize, nector, or you need to attach a motor lead to and this forms flecks of burnt debris on the a microswitch terminal on a special effect solder tip. Debris buildup can interfere with projector. Whatever the need, the majority proper heat transfer to the cont,lCt-D<)lrlt of planetarians at one time or another must The best way to clean the tip of your solder- pick up the 01' soldering iron and pelrtorm ing iron is with a sponge. some electrical/electronic repair or construc the hot tip across the sponge every minute tion. But, as with most there's a or so as you work, and the steam right way and a wrong way to solder, and and friction will whisk away any debris. many of us never find out the right way. Some electronic components will tolerate Let's take a few minutes to sort out soldering. only so much heat. High heat semiconductors for too will ua.1HC'~C them. For soldering such components, you can use a clamp-on-style "heat sink". These handy little devices look like Perhaps the biggest problem area with sol loaded pliers, and can be attached a metal dering is in heating the connection. lead between the solder joint and the semi- Beginners tend to heat the solder first, rather conductor's case before the compo- than the wires, component leads, or other nents. This heat sink will draw objects being connected. This procedure fre away excess heat from the wire-lead before quently produces poor results - in the form reaches the sensitive device. of cold solder joints. Solder bonds properly other hand, don't use a coil of <'111,",0,'_1"."" ~OjlQenng is one of those tasks that around wires and terminals when all the der if you to solder seems to require three hands - one hand metals are at - and similar - tempera wires. the iron, a second for the tures. But when heat is applied to Likewise, get the and a third to hold a the solder, the temperatures of the wires, ter the A wire or other compo- minals, and tend to be nen t. You can get much lower. This temperature-differential around this can lead to fractures in the solder jOint as it cools. Cold solder joints often don't evidence tinning themselves initially. Frequently, the connec each of tion looks and works fine for a while, but the com then breaks down later as the solder cracks overheat small ponents away from one of the metallic components. components and can melt the with The remedy is to heat the wire and termi tion around small terminals and nals to be joined - not the solder - then the apply the solder to those heated components way too - not the soldering-iron tip. By first forcing fine work. Instead, invest the heat through the components to be you haven't bonded - and then into the solder - small SOl~::Iermg insures much more even heat distribution throughout the joint. The result is firm metallic bonding and solid electrical con ductivity. Avoiding the solder to the heated iron-tip may seem counter-intu itive to some, but this procedure insure a solid connection. counterparts. Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian And while you're buying, invest a little stand, becoming a fire-risk. On the other (Planetarian, vol. 26, No.4, December more for a good soldering-iron stand - the hand, with the larger coil-style stand, the sol there are three errors in the file-size rnl1V1nnric')rI kind with the heavy steel-wire coil mounted dering iron's tip and heating element will on page 62, column 3. The corrected list on a broad base (see illustration). Many of us stay safely away from a desktop or other read (in KB): try to save money buy using the tiny stand potential flammables most of the time - supplied with the typical low-cost soldering even if it's knocked over. In addition, most ]PEG (lowest-quality compression) iron - you know, the kind that looks either coil-style stands have convenient rectangu ]PEG (medium-quality compression) like a modified soda-can tab, or a small plas lar indentations in their bases for holding ]PEG (highest-quality compression) tic disk with a folding steel wire. This tiny small tip-cleaning sponges. pex (compressed) substitute holds the soldering iron just a cou Using the right tools, materials, and tech TARGA (uncompressed)* ple of centimeters above the tabletop. niques can make your soldering work much TARGA (compressed)* Although you can get by with such a device more effective and professional-looking. TIFF (uncompressed)* in an emergency, these dinky things can be a TIFF (compressed) 701 real hazard - and should be avoided when ***** ever possible. The slightest inadvertent Please note the corrections in your issue. bump or tug on the soldering iron or its Correction notice: In the "Planetechnica" instal power cord can make it fall off this type of lment entitled "Computer Imaging Basics", ST RLA The Po Many of you, in planetariums worldwide, already know how easy it is to incorporate a STARLAB into your existing planetarium programs. Because of its versatility, portability, ease-of-use, cost-effectiveness, the STARLAB is considered an invaluable and exciting multicultural tool for education. STARLAB can be used conjunction with a fixed planetarium for: III school outreach community outreach ILl training programs • hands-on education ILl multicultural education III public relations • workshops teacher "A- ...... uu.~ III special events 1\9 fundraising Vi6it our web page at free information about the Learning Technologies, Inc .. , 40 Cameron Ave .. , MA 02144 Phone: 800.. 537.. 8703 or 617 ... 628 ... 1459 .. Fax: 617.. 628 .. 8606 .. lE .. mail: starlab@starlab .. com .. Web address: www.. starlab .. com .. 40 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March high quality starfield in both sizes of the dome. The 1998 Middle Atlantic Planetarium So ciety Conference host, Steven Mitch, is ning for a Portable Jamboree (portable plane tarium mini-conference) during the con ference at his facility on Thursday afternoon to you by and of interest to: of April 23rd. A full agenda of workshops, Powerful Interactive Planetarium Systems lessons, and demonstrations is being planned. At least four Starlabs will be set up, including the spacious new Starlab Super dome owned and operated by John and Allison "BB" Meader from Maine. During the IPS '98 Conference in London, delegates will again be treated to a wide array of portable dome experiences and encouraged to share their expertise. Undine Concannon will provide ample time for planetarium colleagues to become acquaint information. ed with the various brands of mobile equip I realize ment and explore possible uses of these plan etaria in their countries as an effective way to bring astronomy and space science to grassroots populations and entice many peo ple to come to a larger stationary Users in France: Mobile and small planetarium users alike As announced in the last column, a meet can benefit from interacting with presenters ing scheduled for 31 October and 1-2 Novem who either run a business with their ber in Nice unfortunately had to be can planetarium or run some form of outreach celed. The attempt for a meeting in March program. Both small stationary and portable has also been canceled. Those interested will dome users are encouraged to at meet at the IPS '98 conference in London to conferences by attending or presenting a plan the next European meeting. If you will workshop, lesson, or demonstration of a con be at the conference in London and would cept or a piece of equipment. like to have some input about this meeting please make sure you get in touch with me or Michel Dumas when you arrive so that we In the last three months there have been a may inform you of the planning session few requests for Public Domain materials time and location. We will be discussing the and a few calls about locations of other users theme and the most convenient dates for and people seeking advise about various The Consortium the next European Meeting of Small and portable systems. One of the most interest search and Mobile Planetarium Users. ing phone calls received was from Nick (CUREA) Platco (Twin Valley High School, Box 52, Elverson, PA 19520 USA) who is some doctoral work on a project which evaluates interactive lessons presented in planetariums. I look forward to u7fvrl£',nrr It is certainly to see that portable sldenng a career in science or with him on this project and to be able planetarium workshops are not only being are to to have him report some of his in accommodated but also highlighted at an The deadline this column in the future. increasing number of conferences. It is heart tuition fee is $1550. ening to see that the users of mobile domes are being sought out and contribute their experiences and knowledge at these get togethers. The 1997 GLP A conference was a In response to the December column, I prime example of this new trend. Five Star received a very nice letter and a wonderful lab domes were utilized and all conference magazine from Dr. Jean-Michel Faidit further information delegates entered either a small dome or the (Planetarium, Jardin Des Plantes, B.P. 1088- als, contact Super dome for a workshop and/or competi 34007 Montpellier, France). He writes, "I've tion in a Starlab Challenge. Participants were read your call for contributions in the last able to see how very effective lessons can be edition of the Planetarian for a world hand conducted in these small domes using book for Portable and Planetarium extremely low tech or high tech eqllliplml~nt users. So I send you this last edition (1997) of and many were pleasantly surprised at the our French Review with the Vol. No.1, March 1998 Planetarian Planetarium Concert Management A company dedicated to the Promotion of Concerts in Planetarians seeking to expand their Special Activities Program. Now on tour in Europe "THE ULTIMATE PIANO EXPJERIENCE" Direct Booking: P.C.M. Tel/Fax 00453314 7005 See Tycho Brahe Planetarium Web-Site: http.//www.aslro.ku.dk/tycho.html click on" Program "tI then "Saerlige Activities" 42 Planetarian Vol. 27, No.1, March 1998 urge our dear UA\:lUUCl and all over Asia and Welcome to springtime in a very London. Let us celebrate year for planetariums: We can celebrate the learn from each others. 75th birthday of the planetarium and our UIl(i~nrle that all profession of 'planetarian'. On October 21st, Committee 1923 for the first time an artificial starry this stage. That is also was projected on the dome at Deutsches won't be very and Museum in Munich. The 'Wonder from Jena' instead it may was an immediate success and drew large list of information you. crowds to the many planetariums which spread like wildfire to all major metropoles of our globe within just a few years there after. 75 years after Walter Bauersfeld and IPS Council will meet in before the ~~~~~:~~ Oskar von Miller made that historic first planetarium show for the public, plcmetar'i urn domes are still around. Our medium did not get extinct - even though many other channels for information and entertainment - Radio, TV and the Internet can be used to explain the universe in which we live. we some This was not just the result of the conference tour of German engineers - contributions vote on the from many other creative people all around - based on the the globe (from the US and Japan \.-"I-''--'-'<:H1 were essential to rejuvenate the pl,mE~taJrium idea again and again for 75 years. What strategy for survival in the future? Will etariums - large and small have to rl;'Tc>~,,;f., further in their modes of and losophy of programming? Is it just a niche for amateur astronomers we should target - or should we try to entertain a broader pub lic? 1998 is the year where we can both look back at our history - and into our future. IPS invites you to share your insight and your suggestions - come to IPS'98 in London! The countdown is on .... In just months we will convene in London for the 14th IPS Vol. No.1, March 1998 new and upgraded IPS Website should be your opinion. cle will happen in Europe. The finally online. We now have our own will cross several major cities and mt:~tf()p()li domain 'ips-planetarium.org' (unfortunately tan areas - Stuttgart, Munich and ~""'-U',u,-"" (Romania) among them. A both 'ips-org' and 'planetarium.org' were Start thinking about candidates for IPS already taken, so we could not use the short Officers now we will have to nominate can Initiative called Eclipse'99 is cUJrrently er acronyms there). The new web address didates for the office of the IPS President ing on coordinating all activities - In(:lu~::llnlg should hence read: http://www.ips-planetari (years 2001-2002) at the London conference. those at planetariums. IPS will support um.org Please contact Steve Mitch, chair of the IPS cooperations and you can expect Torn Callen in conjunction with the Pub Election Committee for details. more about the project at IPS'98 in LV,UU'UU. lications- and the Web- subcommittee did an Stay tuned for more information about excellent job! The site will continuously be in future issues of our journal. upgraded still. This new site also allows IPS to See you in London! * have permanent email-addresses, indepen Some of you may have been fortunate like dent of the person who is in office: the mes myself, to have been able to witness the sage will be forwarded automatically to the grand spectacle of the total solar eclipse on continued from page 46) respective person. If you send email to 'presi February 1998 - either in the Caribbean, or [email protected]' it hence gets for (like myself) in the Pacific, near the islands of These planet plagues are nA'tn,nrr warded to my email-add~ess 'TWK@artof Galapagos. To my knowledge, no major plan pared to what Hubble has done to my sky.com' . As soon as Dale Smith takes over, etarium was on the central line of the eclipse "Universe" show/lesson! The Hubble he will get these messages. The benefit will - as it happened in less populated areas or Telescope brings us many be that we can print these addresses now in even at sea. Still - planetariums in North, wonderful revelations, almost every our publications without needing to change Central, and South America surely capital thinking of my Universe lesson them in the future. Well, that's not the only ized on that event. Many of you were able to with a simpler script, something like benefit - now the whole Web Corn has access simulate this eclipse - or even receive a live "These are nebulas .... [pause, pause, to the site, the work can be divided and rests image via Internet in your planetarium the insert new pies here], and these are "'<", '--'-'~=--.Il--=-=--'-'-'--=-=-'-'--=-="--'--=::-::=:'-'-'-="'-'-'-~ newest creation features the latest dramatic of Mars. This 30 minute show takes you from the ice caps to the deepest canyons as it explores the mysterious and of the Peer into the future and learn what the first humans on Mars can eXDe~ct. (includes laser disc with English narration soundtrack, slides, production booklet, and teacher's guide) Available 1 st, 1998 CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 1iIooooI_____ ...... __ ...... Carnegie Science Center is one of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. _ ...... _ ...... ______...... !Ii 44 Planetarian Vol. No.1, March another (lower elementary, elementary, or could see lots of general audience). Well, so do I. I've selected "Hale-Bopp" almost sounds like 5th grade as my target audience (that's Maybe I could cheat and nah, because the state of Virginia tells me to: I'm a idea.] state employee; I'll do what they say). 3) Did you ever notice that the Through the years, I've called the show /les tures of Mars look a lot like the Pal:hfin(jer son by different titles: "Journey through the pictures? Does that you an idea? Solar System", "Our Solar System", "Planet update your show/lesson if the Parade", "Trip through the Solar System", "To the same? No one will ever know Worlds Unknown (great show created by you and an old who will ask Hansen Planetarium about 20 years ago)", Viking, not a Pathfinder and "Voyage through the Solar System". worth a chance. Now I just call it "The Solar System". Seems 4) I'm not too concerned about to work. add information about the "new I've always thought of my planetarium as My solar system show/lesson is on tape being discovered; after all, this show/lesson a basic classroom with a funny-looking ceil because I would hate to memorize all those called liThe Solar and 51 ing and a big machine in the middle of the planet facts and spew them out 3 or 4 times a room. My is not a "Space day. Well, that's where the problem arises. Theater", an "Omnidigiversolarium" or any Once you tape a solar system show/lesson, of the other clever titles one can give to such you're not through. The solar system places. My planetarium is a classroom, and changes; we keep learning more about I'm the teacher. Instead of standing at the ets. Planetarium audiences like the ~I".,<,+", front of the classroom, I stand at the center so, when there's news about planets, every of the room because that's where all the one hears about it. All planetarians, whether switches and buttons for working the big at large or small facilities, have to keep the machine are located. solar system information in their shows up My planetarium seats 34. Some planetari to-date. But I hate re-doing tapes, especially ums hold more people, have bigger when most information is correct. I'm machines, and their planetarians stand at the tempted to cheat somehow. I'd like to tell side or back of the room. You might think you which situations tempt me to cheat that we "small planetarians" don't have any because I wonder if you have been tempted, thing in common with our big-dome coun also. Here they are, as follows: terparts, but I don't see it that way. 1) Planet script: "Here are Neptune and From my perspective, all we planetarians Jupiter, side by side (pic). The Voyager space deal with the same problems, just with differ craft found a 'great dark spot' on Neptune. ent budgets. Notice that the 'great dark spot' on Neptune For example, all planetarians have the (point) is about the same size compared to same problem choosing topics: what infor the size of its planet, Neptune (point), as the mation shall we present? I have to stick to 'great red spot' (point) is to the size of its some guidelines the state of Virginia has set planet, Jupiter (point). The two planets are up about what should be taught about sci not the same size (pic), just the comparison ence at each grade level; bigger planetariums of the size of each 'spot' to its have to figure out "what will sell tickets". I Scientists don't know why. Maybe similar call my presentations "lessons"; bigger plane forces are at work in the atmospheres of tariums have "shows". Even though our mis these two gas giant planets." Our good old sions may look different, it seems to me-that buddy the Hubble Space Telescope did it we keep coming up with the same topics, again. Who would have guessed that Hubble and from my discussion with big-domers, would see the "great dark spot" on Neptune, even the same problems. as discovered by Voyager, disappear? It The following topics present no problems pened just about the time that this procrasti for us: "Rotation of the Earth", "Revolution nating planetarian had decided I could no of the Earth", "Reasons for the Seasons", and longer ignore the "great dark spot" and "Phases of the Moon (Eclipses of the Sun and decided to re-tape my show and add it. Then Moon)", They're important topics because it vanished. I put it in; I take it out. most people who come to planetarium don't Wait a minute; the script says that Voya know why we have seasons or why we see ger found it; that's true. Maybe I'll just ignore the moon in the daytime. The~arth and the fact that it's disappeared. The facts that moon seem to keep moving pretty much in are there are correct. the same way they have been moving, so no 2) Maybe I can get away with leaving the constant updating of program material is "great dark spot" in. However, Comet Halley necessary. has to be eliminated from my show as the But the planets: that's another story alto "example of a comet" portion of the show / gether. Most planetariums have a planet lesson. It's a famous comet, all right, but on page 44) show in their repertoire at some level or Hale-Bopp has definitely upstaged it. People 46 Planetarian Vol. A planetarium is a spectacle, an event, but above all a tool which provides amusement in the service of knowledge. To meet all these needs, RS AUTOMATION INDUSTRIE, thanks to its specialization in automation, has developed a complete range of planetariums, all designed to provide a specific and immediately operational solution. 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