rnal
5 Monty tarium of the
Space Telescope ......
New ...... a 29 Gibbous Gazette ...... 32 Mobile News Network ...... 36 Planetechnica: Slip Rings ...... 41 Reports from Committees ...... 43 Secretary's Report ...... 47 President's Message ...... 54 jane's Corner ...... 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 Dl"Ylai-,.,,,.',-,,,,,, Society. ©1998, International Planetarium Society, Inc., all rights reserved. Opinions exp1ressed e by authors are personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions of the International etarium Society, its officers, or agents. Acceptance of advertisements, announcements, 1.27, No.4 material does not imply endorsement by the International Planetarium Society, its officers agents. The Editor welcomes items for consideration for publication. Please consult (or ecem er 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
E f nht'01I"'t:T!:lIi-,"'f"'{T Road Audio Visual Los Angeles, California 90027 USA Davis Planetarium ...... (1) 323-664-1181 daytime phone (1) 323-663-4323 fax [email protected] Evans &: Sutherland ...... Goto Optical Sheri Trbovich Joe Hopkins Engineering ..... ,..... ,..... "...... The Clark Foundation POBox 9007 Learning Salt Lake City, UT 84109-0007 USA MegaSystems, Inc ...... (1) 801-725-2771 voice (1) 801-583-5522 fax Miami Space [email protected] Minneapolis Minolta ...... Individual: $40 one year; two years NADA ...... Institutional: $150 first year; $75 annual renewal Library Subscriptions: $24 one year Planetarium Concert l'\/I~U'";;Inarnt:.:l!nT ...... " .. . Direct membership requests and changes ofaddress R. S. Automation ...... to the Treasurer /Membership Chairman; see next page for address and contact information. Seiler Instruments ...... cover Sky-Skan, Inc ...... L To receive word of new position openings Spitz, Inc ...... ,...... in the planetarium field, send up to six self-addressed stamped envelopes to: S. Fentress, Director Strasenburgh Planetarium P.O. Box 1480 Rochester, New York 14603 USA Jon U. Bell the PIOJrlpt.'1'1"lnrn Ot~elllin.1!. the Dome Available from: Charlene Oukes Lars Broman Christine '-'J.j'u.~.IJ.u. IPS Back Publications Repository International News Gibbous tiaZeltte Strasenburgh Planetarium P.O. Box 1480 Jane G . .I. .I.ClL;:'U• .I..I.l::::;:' Steve Rochester, New York 14603 USA Jane's Corner Forum
A cumulative index of major articles that have Richard McColman appeared in the Planetarian from the first issue Planetechnica through the current issue is available on paper Jim Manning Ken Wilson ($12 ppd) or disk ($5 ppd) from the Exec. Editor. What's New A shortened copy is at the Planetarian web site. Kenneth Perkins Planetarium Memories March: January 21; June: April 21 September: July 21; December: October 21 International Planetarium Soci World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.GriffithObs.orgIIPSPlanetarian.html http://www.ips-planet m.org
Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian Officers President Executive Secretary Historian/Photo-Archivist Awards Committee Thomas W. Kraupe Lee Ann Hennig. Planetarium John Hare Phyllis Pitluga EuroPlaNet @ imagicX Thomas Jefferson High School Ash Enterprises The Adler Planetarium Rumfordstr. 41 6560 Braddock Road 3602 23rd Avenue West 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive D-80469 Muenchen (Munich) Alexandria, Virginia 22312 USA Bradenton. FlOrida 34205 USA Chicago, illinOis 60605 USA Germany (1) 703-750-8380 (1) 941-746-3522 (1) 312-322-0319 +498921031531 (1) 703-750-5010 fax (1) 941-750-9497 fax +498921031532 fax [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] International Planetarium Treasurer/Membership Chair Publications Chair Society President Elect Shawn Laatsch April Whitt pale Smith Arthur Storer Planetarium Fembank Science Center c/o Taylor Planetarium Planetarium 600 Dares Beach Road 156 Heaton Park Drive NE Museum of the Rockies Physics & Astronomy Dept. Prince Frederick. MD 20678 Atlanta. Georgia 30307 USA Montana State Bowling Green State University USA (1) 404-378-4314 ext 221 600 W. Kagy Blvd Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA (1) 410-535-7339 (1) 404-370-1336 fax Bozeman, Montana 59717 (1) 419-372-8666 [email protected] [email protected] (1) 419-372-9938 fax IPS Web Site: [email protected] IPS 2000 Conference Chair Elections Committee Chairman http://www.ips-planetariunl.org Pierre Lacombe. Director Steven Mitch Past President Planetarium de Montreal Benedum Natural Science Jim Manning 1000 rue Saint-Jacques O. Center Please notify the Editor Taylor Planetarium Montreal. QC H3C IG7 Ogle bay Park changes of IPS oif'LCers Museum of the Rockies Canada Wheeling, WV 26003 USA affiliate representatives. Bozeman Montana 59717 USA (1) 5148724530 (1) 304-243-4034 (1) 406-994-6874 (1) 5148728102 Fax (1) 304-243-4110 fax (1) 406-994-2682 fax pierre_lacombe@astro. umontreal.ca [email protected] [email protected]
Association of French-Speaking European/Mediterranean (81) 3-3396-4391 Russian Planetariums Asso€~iatio,n Planetariums Planetarium Association (81) 3-3396-4393 fax Zinaida P. Sitkova Agnes Acker Dennis Simopoulos [email protected] Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium Planetarium Strasbourg Eugenides Planetarium PokhyaIinsky SYezd 5-A Universite Louis Pasteur Syngrou Avenue---Amfithea Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society Nizhny Novgorod, 603 001, Rue de L'Observatoire Athens, Greece Laura Deines (7) 8312-34-21-51 6700 Strasbourg, France (30) 1-941-1181 79 Congress St (7) 8312-36-20-61 fax 33-388212042 (30) 1-941-7372 fax Portland, ME 0410 1 [email protected] 33-388212045 fax dps@eugenides_found.edu.gr 207-77 4-4 798 acker@cdsxb6. u -strasbg.fr (1) 207-774-4798 Southeastern PIsLnetariuln Great Lakes Planetarium Assoc. [email protected] John Hare Assoc. of Mexican Planetariums Susan Reynolds Ash Enterprises Ignacio Castro Pinal Onondaga-Cortland -Madison Nordic Planetarium Association 3602 23rd Avenue West Museo Technologico C.F.E. B.O.C.E.S. Planetarium Lars Broman Bradenton, FlOrida 34205 USA Apartado Postal 18-816 P.O. Box 4774 Broman Planetarium (1) 941-746-3522 CP 11870 Mexico City, D.F. Mexico Syracuse, New York 13221 USA Ostra Hamngatan 1 (1) 941-750-9497 fax (52) 5 5-16-13-57 (1) 315-433-2671 S-791 71 Falun, Sweden [email protected] (52) 55-16-55-20 fax (1) 315-433-1530 fax (46) 2310 177 [email protected] (46) 2310 137 (fax) Southwestern Association British Assoc. of Planetariums [email protected] Planetariums Undine Concannon Great Plains Planetarium Assoc. www2.nrm.se/cosmonova/tc-wnpa.html Wayne Wyrick London Planetarium Jack Dunn, Coordinator Kirkpatrick Planetarium Marlybone Road Mueller Planetarium Pacific Planetarium Association 200 NE 52nd St. London NW1 5LR, England 213 Morrill Hall Jon Elvert Oklahoma City, OK 7311 USA (44) 171-487-0227 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lane ESD Planetarium (l) 405-424-5545 work (44) 171-465-0862 fax Lincoln. NE 68588-0375 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy (1) 405-424-5106 fax [email protected] (1) 402-472-2641 Eugene, Oregon 97401 USA wayne. [email protected] (1) 402-472-8899 fax (1) 541-461-8227 Canadian Council of Science [email protected] (I) 541-687-6459 fax Ukranian Planetariums Centres [email protected] Dr. Alexander P. Lenin John Dickenson. Managing Director Italian Planetaria's Friends Assoc. http://www. efn. org/ -esd_plt/ Republical Planetarium Pacific Science Centre Loris Ramponi 57/3 Krasnoarmeiskaia Street 1100 Chestnut St. National Archive of Planetaria Rocky Mountain Planetarium Kiev 252 005. Ukraine Vancouver, BC V6J 3.19 Canada c/o Centro studi e ricerche Serafino Association (744) 227-51-66 604-738-7817 ex 234 Zani Mike Murray (744) 227-51-43 fax 604-736-5665 fax via Bosca 24. CP 104 Taylor Planetarium. Museum of the [email protected] [email protected] 25066 Lumezzane (Brescia), Italy Rockies (39) 30872164 600 W. Kagy Blvd. Council of German Planetariums (39) 30 872545 fax Bozeman, Montana 59717 Prof. Dr. Dieter B. Herrmann (1) 406-994-6891 Zeiss-Grossplanetarium Berlin Japan Planetarium Society (1) 406-994-2682 fax Prenzlauer Allee 80 Soichi Itoh [email protected] D-10405 Berlin, Germany Suginami Science Education Center +49-30-42184512 3-3-13 Shimizu, Suginami-ku, +49-30-4251252 fax Tokyo 167 Japan
Produced at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California; http://www.Griffi thObs.org IIPSPlanetarian.h tml
4 Planetarian Vol. No.4, December The audience files in, we fasten our belts, the button-pusher says "hi" - and I es the button. The house dim, we our 3-D holographic goggles, and bowels of the facility, the latest advance AV computerized theater technology It "Deep Show" initiates itself; circuits I I t t fiber optics hum, and zillli011-nnpl=r::lh,vtf' bases race at the speed of light up to
identical sets of high-end, I1lTn'--e"rl ..U_LL'-''-U. laser-based projectors - one set to dome, full-color, fully interactive, reality environments, the other set to full-dome, high -defini tion, rear-projected We begin with crickets, and the summer Milky Way arching above; the constellation Sagittarius is traced in the Then the warp drive kicks in and we What is a planetarium? It depends on who pany, Black Gum Chewing Tobacco, Missy's whisked in a sleek spaceship toward the you ask. To some, it's a place to grow plants; Clothing Delicates CyberDome - because cor heart of the galaxy. A warning bell sounds; to others, a place to take a nap; to others, a porate sponsorship is now the norm to pay collision with a star is imminent! We good place to pick up Trekkers. And to some for such facilities. our remotes to steer the aside - and - increasingly school and museum adminis As we enter the "AT&D&IC/BGCT/MCD law of averages being what it is, we all cancel trators, to hear the talk - it's a dinosaur. Now CyberDome," we find that the proprietors each other out and plow right into the star dinosaurs were very impressive creatures have at last allowed that all seats are not to the merriment of all. There are SUlJDiots and they hung around for a long time. But equal. You can buy a first-class ticket for the thrill every segment of the audience: they're famous today largely because they're board love triangles, a warp core breech, all gone. I'd like to offer, for your conSideration, one vision of the planetarium Have we, too, become too specialized, too much behind the times, no longer able to of the 21st century. cope with our environment? Today we face a universe of shrinking resources and in prime center-rear seats, or second-class for creasing competition for the education and the next best. "Steerage" gets you front or attacks by alien raiders, small furry leisure "dollar." We face $200 million dollar perimeter. Above the door, where in the past in danger. Too quickly we reach the movies, reprioritization of school budgets, we might find such mottos as "Ad Astra Per core, where a super-massi ve black the !MAXimization of museums, the rise of Aspera," we find the new battle cry of the whirls in space in front of our faces; we reach virtual reality arcades, and a variety of other age: "And now for something completely dif out for it and burn our fingertips, just a bit. challenges. Can we adapt to these challenges ferent: the greatest show off-Earth." Spectacle Then the dissolves away and - or is there a big, fat asteroid coming? wi th a twist. plunge into the accretion disk; our "Nothing endures but change," wrote Her Inside, the dome is tilted, stretching forty shake, our bodies buffeted by blasts of hot air aclitus the Greek. "The times they are a meters over tiers of seats. There is no plane and sprays of water. We are sucked down changing," paraphrased Bob Dylan two mil tarium projector or control console; only a into the gaping maw of the black hole - lennia later. By now, the message is pretty brightly-garbed, fresh-faced theater atten alternating darkness and exploding clear. Will planetariums change with the dant carrying a small box with a single large our chairs bucking Wildly. Then in a flash of ever-changing times? Should they? Can green button that says "Go." Advertisements dazzling light we've popped back out and they? Do we really have any choice? scroll across the dome, and we make a note there's the blue Earth, dead ahead. We And if change we must, what will we to check on our insurance coverage and our scream toward the surface; now we can see become? Based on current trends and a supplies of chewing tobacco and clothing Megalopolis, then FunWorld, and the rather large bottle of bourbon, I'd like to delicates. Dome, and drop back into the theater with a offer, for your consideration, one vision of Being on a planetarian's salary, we head thud the planetarium of the 21st century. Attend ... for steerage. The seats are plush swiveling The lights come up, the '"',,-1-'-""'" .... ,,~ mini-recliners, complete with motion dis says "bye," the doors open automatically. As A large city, somewhere on Earth; call it comfort bag and cup holder - for refresh we leave, we pick up a grab-bag of corporate Megalopolis. It has a planetarium -located in ments are served here. We stuff our beer and samples and a card on next month's show: a theme park called "Future FunWorld" com popcorn into the chair caddy alongside and "Mississippi Jones and the Quasar of Doom. plete with Disneyesque attractions, a roller examine the wireless interactive remote We wobble into the light, with time coaster that pulls from four gees to micro chained to the armrest. The remote will for the roller coaster, a bit of shopping, and gravity, a shopping arcade with moving side allow us to vote, manipulate imagery, make the food court. All in all, a satisfying walks, and a four-acre food court. international phone calls, and balance our the old planet - er, CyberDome. But the planetarium isn't called a planetar bank accounts. Adrenaline starts to pump; On the way out, somebody asks ium. It's a CyberDome. More specifically, it's we haven't balanced our bank account in black hole is. the Acme Tool & Die and Insurance Com- weeks!
Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian Now, this future scenario is: a) sublime; b) er the Earth in the museum's exhibits and A few years back, ridiculous; c) d) all of the above. The programs. vey of '-v...... ",..; u,,,,, correct answer, of course, is d. But are there To reflect this we've curated an future of planet:ariuIT1S, tiny kernels of truth here? Could this exhibit area in front of the be.our future? which includes a mural of the evolution of Plane tari ums do many the universe and interactive touch-screen of the universe computer stations which include both and the process of science, we curricu- astronomy and museum information. We've lum and find their way n1'"rhu'""rI c()mpalnioln programs for exhibits around the sky. We a scratch where on dinosaurs and the and of it itches for those who still find wonder in the the But is this enough to us chance we can get. Do we opt for our traditional um component. We must also
"1-r,>."lT+h,, or on the techno-dazzle band We support the museum's !-,U'LAL.'''-U'A the threshold of wagon - and can we succeed in the future at ..".,r\"1'1"01,.,,,,, outreach program be sranulmg either? with Starlab and r1"",.oi.rv.-.i,r'l(T
"technology will never the awe engendered the a view the night sky"
between. Reed has said that "tecnnowS! t ... o:!'ITPllina teH~SC()pe trunks for rural areas. We en~~en(len~a by ae'velOD astronomy programs and teacher W()rKSU<)DS for the museum's paLeontlDlc.gy field schools, and have started and nurtured
"tl'~'nath" in ,.nUU4,. . .. good planetarium: 1) relevant to your with 4) Keep up with technologies; portfolio. In other your niche staff and I get lots of at this, more of our time-conscious museum visitors. for our is part of a museum We've also created the museum's new multi whose mission is to the natural and media orientation show - because we were cuI tural of the Northern recogrliz€~d as the to Moun tains. We do all of the usual of do so. course, from school programs and laser Of course, none of this guarantees our sur shows to classes and star but we rec- vival. But we've found that in order to get the of to the support, got to support, and we po:sition our- think our efforts have our chances selves as the museum's frame," pro- to flourish a while cosmic context in which to consid- niche. Planetarian N one of these visuals are or explained. t After the launch the screen cuts to the and "Function"; and main program display. A text menu tions called "Construction 11 pops up from a metallic looking control ance". screen. This menu offers selections of "From The "Launch and Rescue" sellection Concept to Reality"; "Edwin Hubble"; "Inside movie and some stills of the Hubble"; "Launch and Rescue"; and vice mission "Great Discoveries". Other buttons include after' Hubble "Quit", "Credits", and "Resources". provements from the corrective Selecting "From Concept to Reality" were installed brings up a dial-like timeline that ranges from 1918 to 1994. Placing the cursor arrow over any year on the timeline brings up a central text panel with a related brief factoid about that year. The year 1918 tells you that the 100-inch Hooker telescope went into ser vice during that year. The latest date, 1994, is noted for the first post-servicing Hubble images. In addition to the time line, "From Concept to Reality" offers a short slide show called "Comparisons" that shows compara "The Hubble Space Telescope" CD-ROM tive images from Earth based telescopes vs. Softkey International the Hubble (pre-corrective optics) and a One Athenaeum Street Quick Time movie entitled "Why a Cambridge, MA 02142, U.S.A. Telescope". Estimated retail: $12 (U.s.) The "Edwin Hubble" option of the main menu leads to three options. The as filler, at least Requirements: phy" choice produces a brief, encyclopedia ter job with the r ....'-t-,,~~~I 386SX or higher; Windows 3.1 or higher; 4 style biography of Edwin Hubble along with The meager "Resources" section MB of RAM (8 recommended); 2X CD-ROM a few pictures including some that you don't program lists few well-known drive; VGA or better monitor; mouse often see. The second selection, "Disco slides and videos with veries", highlights the major scientific mile teacher resource centers. The Softkey International is known for its low stones of Hubble's career. Again, the style is resource listed is NASA's Sp.aoelillk. cost software. You'll find their CD-ROMs in mostly text with a few pictures. The third This program has most computer stores and even office supply choice is "Mt. Wilson" which, in much the controls. It's a mega-stores in the U.S. Like a number of same fashion, tells you about the Mt. Wilson other software companies, they couldn't Observatory. resist all the glorious public domain images "Inside the Hubble" starts with a still that have been produced by the Hubble frame from a NASA computer ani Space Telescope project. Thus almost all of mation of the HST that shows some of the the 100 images and film clips on this CD major components of the telescope. ROM can be obtained for free from a num the cursor over anyone of five 'hot on ber of web sites, not the least of which is the the image causes a label to pop up. For a Space Telescope Science Institute's site at much better diagram select "Design". This http://www.stsci.edu brings up a more detailed, blue-print-like dia "The Hubble Space Telescope" disk gram with traditional labels and a text box the program from bec:::orniIIR installed quite easily on both a Penti describing the HST design. Additional, As it is, it includes um/Windows 95 machine and an old n01thlIlR from the Hubble after 486 DX-66 machine running Windows 3.1. Its requirements (see above) are very modest by today's standards. The disk even includes the Quick Time Movie Player needed to view the video clips. Launching the program briefly brings up a Softkey logo animation, more, since most followed by a NASA film clip of a access to better shuttle launch (presumably the the and film launch of the first Hubble mission) in ROM, there's very to recomlmE!nd the reduced format and resolution "The Hubble typical of Quick Time movies. Oddly scope", other than this clip overlaps a still image that smooth interface. looks like an Earth-from-orbit shot. 8 a Shonandai Culture Center GSS-Helios The GSS-Helios (GSX) features 25,000 stars reproducing a sky seen only from space. Digital shutters mean ",,,-nAV"'VV'" without stray stars twinkling through the image. Computer-assisted functions give manual mode the ease without replacing the lecturer. The list of special GOTO features goes on and on. Contact your nearest rel)reSel1ta.ti"~re find out what your planetarium could be like. The G 1014si offers Space Simulator functions GOTO's exclusive automatic mechanism. No more shows lost to With the your spare lamp into action with a simple touch of a button at the console. Simple, fast and efficient. That's a GOTO Planetari urn. 4-16 Yasaki-cho Fuchu-shi, 183 JAPAN TEL: Intl No. +81-423-62-5312 FAX: IntI No. +81-423-61-9571 G1014si Email: [email protected] Planetariums. Dr Jean-Michel Faidit and Michel Dumas search correspondents in each I t I European country to actualize this directory for 1999 before printing (Please contact Planetariums magazine, Planetarium de Montpellier, BP 1088 34007 Montpellier France -Fax 33 4 67 6110 08). Mexican urns Many of you probably already know about the IPS 2002 Conference, 13-18 2002 It will be held in Morelia, State of Michoacan, Mexico. The decision was made during the IPS London meeting. A post-con ference tour to the Mayan Archeological zone looks most appealing. Host will be formation on the Earth's atITIolsplheI'e Gabriel Munoz, Director of the Morelia the effects of and the depletion Planetarium, and current IPDC President. Some Science Centers and their Plane The International News column depends tariums participated in the V National entirely on contributions that I receive from Science and Technology Week, held in IPS Affiliate Associations all over the world. Mexico during the fourth week of October. Please continue to contribute as you have Planetaria Luis Enrique Erro participated with done before. To be sure that your text will a Science Festival, presenting exhibits, work make it into the column, please send it so I shops, lectures, astronomical photography have it at the first day of the Planetarian exhibitions, and their new Show Death deadline month, preferably bye-mail - send Comet only regular text, please! The deadlines for The Alhambra Publishing Company has contributions to No. 1/99 is thus 1 January, just released its first Mexican edition of and for No. 2/991 ApriL Experimentos de Astronomia by Lars Broman, Thanks to Bart Benjamin, Ignacio Castro, Robert Estalella, and Rosa M.a Ros. The book Jon Elvert, Jean-Michel Faidit, John Hare, has previously been published in two edi Donna Pierce, Loris Ramponi, and Christine tions in Spain and is an extension of Lars' IPS Shupla, for your contributions to Special Report 27 Steps to the Universe. International News. You are welcome back with new reports, and I look forward to Great reports from other Associations as well. tion Please remember that a short note is also lllinois. The Adler Planetarium in apprecia ted! will formally open its new Pavilion addi tion on 9 January 1999. At the same time, the new 1930s building will be closed for renovation foot dome, with a and exhibit installation. The Zeiss eOllipment, video pn)iectioln The French Speaking Planetarium Asso Theater's reclining seats will be pel~m,mE~ntjly ciation is preparing its next annual meeting, removed in order to turn the in Strasbourg in May 1999, three months into a park-like setting with a m,u~r:liticel1t before the total eclipse of sun of August. A view of the night sky, courtesy of the Zeiss special committee works to co-ordinate the Mark VI star projector (see notice below). activities of Planetariums under the authori The Cernan Earth and Space Center at ty of President Agnes Acker (Coordination Triton College in River Grove completed its eclipse - Planetarium de Strasbourg, Rue de theater renovations in mid-July, and now l'Observatoire 67000 Strasbourg - Fax 33 3 88 has new carpeting throughout the building 212045). and refurbished seating in the theater. This year, the annual meeting will be com Beginning in October, the Cernan Center In November, bined with the European meeting of small offered three workshops on the Galileo production and portable Planetariums. During the last Europa Mission (GEM). Each workshop was producing a weather show. IPS Conference in London, it was suggested led by staff member Kevin Cole, who was Ohio. CRAP members and friends gal:hered by Susan Reynolds to hold this meeting in one of fifteen persons selected by NASA JPL (also France, after its first edition in Italy in 1995 at to be a GEM Educator Fellow and subse the initiative of Loris RamponL quently lead teacher training workshops. on In this way, a special directory of Euro The Illinois State University Planetarium in conversation and a pean small and portable Planetariums will be Normal presented Teddy's Quest in Septem- dose of shop talk included into the French speaking magazine 10 Planetarian er year of work and to set our produced its own show Under Prehistoric The Nova Planetarium in JVA.At::llllCd. sights ahead to the 1998-99 season that will Skies last summer. northern Swedish town, now seems already have begun by the time you read realized - . construction this. has already begun. Gunilla Otterstrom Gene Zajac and Joe Marencik ran their first Association charge of the which includes Shaker Space Station Simulation Camp this dome. Former Stockholm Cosmonova The Planetarium of Treviso is managed by summer. The kids did rocketry, a variety of Theater director Kjell has the local association of amateur astronomers science activities .. tried out the space suits, the project as consultant. and organize several activities for schools ate astronaut food, and toured NASA Lewis. Another town in northern Sweden teachers and the general public. The pro~ The most intense activity was taking over a osand, is presently building a Science' gram is prepared early for the whole school full scale space station simulator and trying named Technichus (hus is Swedish for year. The calendar contains a course for out a whole set of experiments as if they The center has a Starlab, teachers about the history of astronomy. were in the real thing. Our two budding years ago (by the The speaker is the astronomer Giuliano astronauts also ran a program for 4th graders Central Sweden) and its Romano, director of the Treviso Planetarium director is Graziella Belloni, inJune and July. and the most important Italian scholar in The new Clark Planetarium which opened Teknorama in Stockholm_ the field of archeoastronomy. The projec last at Shawnee State University in The Futures' Museum in Bo'rIallge tions for the public under the dome are pro Portsmouth is located in SSU's Advanced IPS'90 took - has got a new rli,"·~,,"'~- posed together with the telescope observa Center, the 36-foot dome seats again, Elisabeth Eronn. Falun Science tion. In fact, near the Planetarium there is 66 people and features a Digistar 2 star pro has recently appointed its first also an astronomical, meteorological and jector. A Sky-Skan Spice automation system employee, Erika Zakrisson, as museum solar observatory for teaching activities. controls an impressive array of additional cator. FVC's Science Circus will hit the Since 1993 Serafino Zani Astronomical A/V devices, including a Barco video projec of Orsa in mid-November. Observatory and Planetarium promote in tor, laser disk players, multiple sound NP A's electronic newsletter NPEN Italy the diffusion of Star Parks. The natural sources, panorama and all-sky banks, an LCR lished in and area committees are involved in the organi ha~ dual dissolve system, and interactive con close to 200 subscribers. If you want zation of public evenings for sky observa trols at the seats. The planetarium's construc send the words subscribe NPEN to tions inside the boundaries of the dark tion was funded 100% by donations, the planetarium.euromail.se>. islands of the parks. Some parks organized largest corning from the Clyde W. Clark fam- also lessons for schools, for example under a (Mr. Clark was one of the founders of portable planetarium. To promote the astro OSCO industries.) As you enter and leave, nomical activities in the parks, a course for Several in the PP A you can confirm that the Earth is still rotat guides of natural areas will be organized next have announced staff changes and ing by taking a look at the lobby's Foucault February under the Planetarium of Lumez upgrades. Among them: Alan Gould pendulum, donated by Aristech Chemical zane (Brescia). moted to Director of the Holt Planetarium Company. Director Bruce Brazell has tenta- Sky and orientation: teaching activities in the Lawrence Hall of Science in I{pl-\u,le:nT agreed to host next spring's Ohio the classroom and in a small planetarium (in He Sneider, who is now at meeting. Italian), by Marco Delb, Giuseppe Gam Museum Alan and his staff received Wisconsin/Minnesota. The Minneapolis bardella and Michele Zani was recently a NSF grant to a program, Planetarium has just launched Astronomically lished by DIST of Genoa University that with SETI, entitled Other Worlds! Correct. Charles Horwitz Planetarium opened manages a Starlab planetarium. The publica the same show in October. LaCrosse ran tion is the result of a workshop by Chabot College has the Destination Universe in November. The Sneider (Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley) phase of its planetarium upgrade Madison Metro School District Planetarium has organized in Genoa in 1996. (RUNCO 980 projector, surround sound sys a new permanent remote observato The next Day ofPlanetaria will be held on tem, ethernet cabling & computer server). Its ry. Using a 14 inch Celestron, celestial images 21 March 1999, and planetariums that plan to third will be the multi-media can be viewed on-site or beamed back to the collaborate in this international initiative tion systems, special effects & video. are invited to send their programs to the The Community College ofSouthern Nevada UW-Fox Valley's Barlow Planetarium ran coordinators or to Italian Planetaria's Friends had major renovations done to their Journey into the Living Cell. Quarterback Brett Association. The programs will be collected tarium, the replacement of Favre is thinking about doing a guest lecture in the Internet site www.cityline.it (Pages of ing, adding Barco video after that brilliant performance in the movie Science). slew /zoom projector and an up:gr2lde Something About Mary. Gary Sampson in automation system. The Wauwatosa has been busy teaching College ~emoved their C-360 film pro for Kids and giving a paper entitled Learning Jector due to a lack of appropriate films in Space: A View from the Inside Looking Out. Sweden's second largest city Goteborg the 35mm format! Next summer aelPerldinll seem to get its first major planetarium in UW-Stevens Point has been rumored to be upon funding approval, the Las' cam getting a new star projector. Larry Mascotti over fifty years soon. It will become part of pus may build another 20 meter dome in Rochester and Denny Brinkman in Saint the Crossroads Science Center (named after etarium for a Digistar projector. Korsvagen, a road crossing close to Gote Paul continue to fill their domes with thou To date, the L.A. sands of school district kids. The Paulucci borg's famous amusement park Liseberg). held 14-18 October had over Theater ran Antarctica in 70mm and Managing director of the project is Borje pants. More about the conference their planetarium show Icy Worlds. Finally, Radesjo, and more information is available at host, David Falk, will be in the next Iowa's Sargent Space Center in Des Moines Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian Bess Amaral at the Goddard Planetarium three different Native American and the City of Roswell (NM) are sponsoring representing the diversity of imlU!;len()Us a city wide Goddard Days festival in March of tures and their unique views of Ryan Wyatt and Christine Shupla at the 1999. They will have a weekend of fun fami 12 December they will feature Dorrance Planetarium are busy working on ly science activities, planetarium shows on (Navajo), on 16 January will the '99 conference in Phoenix, which will be Goddard's work called Space Dreams, city Littlebird (Laguna Pueblo), and on held 13-16 October 1999, with optional trips wide model rocket launches and a Science 13 is Steve Fadden (Mohawk). The on the 12th and 17th. They are working on Exploratorium in the civic center. Community College Planetarium is January's new original show, LightiSpeed, and Suzanne Chippendale received a grant ing up for a concert series in ,-/'-~VL~'-Aj are starting to create the copies of last year's from the New Mexico Office of Cultural Flutes in November and Guitars in show on infrared astronomy, which will Affairs to have a storytelling series with ber) and an expanded schedule of live soon be available for other facilities. PRESS RELEASE DAY OF PLANETARIA - INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION 1999 DAY OF PLANETARIA Name of the Planetarium accepting this proposal of collaboration for the Day of Planetaria of March 21st, 1999: On March 21st, 1999, will take place the Address ...... next issue of the Day of Planetaria, that has been organized in Italy since 1991 and in other European countries since 1995. The annual Day of planetaria always takes place Phone ...... Fax ...... on the Sunday before or after the spring Internet ...... equinox. The aim of this initiative is to promote Name of the director ...... the knowledge and the diffusion of plane taria. During this Day planetaria organize Diameter dome m ...... Seats ...... Opening year ...... lessons, shows, exhibitions and practical sky viewing. During the Day in some planetaria Star proj ector model ...... 0 ••• 0 .0 •• 0 •••• 0 • 0 0 ••• 0 •••• 0 • 0 • 0 ••••• the entrance is free. For the occasion, exchanges and twinships between plane Presence of a Museum (*) yes no taria of Eastern and Western European countries are promoted. Presence of a Public Observatory (*) yes no Other We hope that in future also other coun tries will join in this initiative. For this rea son just now we are inviting other plane Public program of March 21st, 1999 (general or specific information) taria to collaborate in the "Day" of 1999. We are inviting particularly all the planetaria, not only the European ones, to participate in the "Day" to celebrate a planetarium recurrence (anniversaries of planetarium buildings or openings and so on). The initiative provides a good chance to Normal opening days and hours of the Planetarium ... 0 •••••••••••••• 0 diffuse knowledge of planetaria to the large public. The simultaneity in various cities draws mass media attention to this event. The programs of the "Day" will be avail able also in the Internet site "www. Other information (at your choice) 0 •• 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• cityline.it" (pages of "Science"). A special post card has been prepared with the "Day" logo. The programs will be collected in each country by "Day of Planetaria" coordinators or by Associazione Amici dei Planetari, c/o (*) Mark the appropriate datum with "X" Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino Zani, via Bosca 24, 25066 Lumezzane (Italy), fax Send your "Day of Planetaria" program to: Associazione Amici dei Planetari c/o Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino zani via Bosca 24 25066 30/872545. Lumezzane (Italy) - Fax 30/872545. 12 Planetarian Vol. gramming on Thursday nights starting in tarium in Hawaii has something with the March '99 issue of the fJlflflVlP'tnrinlVl January. It will be sort of a public version of Boeing in which they have just solicited, Astronomy 101 taught in the planetarium chosen, and announced 60 partner facilities with observing when possible. They are call around the country to receive materials to ing it Back Yard Astronomy. Their web site is develop educational programs concerning up and running at www .. santa-fe.cc.nm.us/ the International Space Station. These are planetarium. called Space Station One partners. Other Lodestar and the New Mexico Museum of RMPA members who were named include History have signed an agreement and it Hansen Planetarium, the Gates Planetarium, looks like all systems are go for a new plane the Air Force Academy planetariums, and the Presiden t; Duncan tarium in New Mexico. It will be an 18 m Arizona Science Center. Treasurer; and John Hare, (60') dome with Digistar II. They are breaking Representative. ground in October! Mickey Schmidt at the Air Force Academy Planetarium in Colorado Springs says they SEPA will have a new address for its Web will be up-grading from Digistar I to Digistar Site beginning sometime this fall. You can II if all negotiations proceed as expected. A check the association out at Name: _____. ___ ~ __~ ___ .______. ______Shawn Laatsch Arthur Storer Planetarium Planetarium name: 600 Dares Beach Road Institution: ______. _____ .~ ______~ ___ ._._ Prince Frederick, MD 20678 USA Address ______. ___ .______.______To give more complete information about your p12llletar'imTI Postal Code (Europe): ______.. ____ City: .______._ publication in the IPS ME~mlbeI'snllP D1irectc)ry line form at: State, Province, Shire or Prefecture: ___~ ___ ~ _____, ____ _ Postal Code: Country: aside from various web pages, are Dome-L and sci..as1tro.pl,:m<~tarium, Office telephone: ______both of which started in the fall of 1993. Fax telephone: Dome-I.: This is a listserv which is the "least e-mail address: Web site: Please charge me for: __ 1 year individual membership (US $40.00) comes to your mailbox without you ___ 2 year individual membership (US $70.00) thing. It is very convenient to get 1 year institutional membership (US $150.00) by email. Method of Payment: sd.as1tro.pl,ml&ariuLm: This is a newsgroup "for __ enclosed please find a US bank check in the amount plametarimTI .;".. VI ...... "." It is accessible via using either a web browser such as or a newsgroup Drc)£:r;am ofUS$ ____ such as YA-Newswatcher. It is excellent for (a) ::l-n<;:'A7prina __ please charge my inquiries about planetaria and (b) the occasional plalnetari circle: VISA MasterCard AmEx Diners JCB urn person who stumbles onto sap, but doesn't know about JJV'UUC--L. A key advantage of sci.astro.planetarium newsgroup is Card No. ty to a wide range of people-via USENET -without requiring Expiration Date ___~ ______scription. (This also is a key C1i5;advalntcL£:e-nnore Signature To subscribe to DOME-L listserv-electronic forum urn professionals send email to: Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian plete with a glossary and a list of episodes or structure of the Sun, how stars form described in the book, Star Trek on the Brain visually gorgeous H-R diagram. is for anyone interested in discovering the Though Mr. Naeye says sornethiru~ human brain in relation to human nature, like " ... in this Hubble image ... " or /I whether an avid "Trekker" or not. zooms in on .... " in the Hubble images, many of the images are not labeled as such, Through the Eyes ofHubble: The reader to assume that they too were Birth Life; and Violent Death of with the HST. This is also true of the Stars, by Robert Naeye, Kalm ings. Though many of them are Ah' comparing them to the fictional Hubble Space Telescope. There are many Traditionally, astronomy is a one-s 1ern,eS1:er, "alien" minds within the depths of the Star ground-based images, several paintings, and three credit non-lab course that the student Trek universe. some stunning painting/diagrams by Sue elects as part of a science recmirelnent. Not only is this remarkable book com- Biebuyck that illustrate things like the interi- class is usually large; it meets in a sterile class- Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian room or assembly hall one to three times per Reviewed by Pam Eastlick, University of weeki the vast majority of students leave Guam Planetarium, Mangilao, Guam. immediately after the lecture, and student names and faces are usually separate entities So ... you want to go to Mars. Why? To do to the instructor. Can a more interactive science? To make money? For political rea approach to learning be incorporated at this son? To enhance your defense capabilities? level? According to Deming et al., the answer Do you plan to make a single-shot trip? Are is a resounding "Yes!" you mounting a large expedition? Are you Reviewed by Christopher G. De Pree, Cooperative Learning Activities is the result going for a visit or do you plan to stay? All ment of Physics & AS1rroJ:lOJ:IlY College Decatur, Georgia, USA. "Cooperative Learning Activities is the result of a decade-long As a father of two girls under the attempt to involve students in active learning situations." four years, I have seen a lot of books Dorling Kindersley. The elegant and design of books from this pU.bllshE~r of a decade-long attempt to involve students these questions must be asked, pondered and distinctive (and often imitated), with in active learning situations. Rather than pas ultimately answered if we are ever to jour color photographs and set sively absorb a lecture, students are grouped, ney to Mars. against a white background. In their either formally or informally, and given a Strategies for Mars is a hefty book that witness Visual Dictionaries series, question. They are allowed time to research addresses all these questions and many, applied this design template to a number of and discuss the topic within their group, many more. If you're serious about travel to scientific topiCS. Their Visualvl,Ctl(')nclrv after which they present the subject matter the Red Planet, make sure this book is in easy the Universe is a beautiful volume, and to other groups in the class. Some formats reach at all times. It's a compilation of an interesting approach to pn~se.nting allow students to choose their own groups, research articles authored by many people universe. based on a topic of interest, a viewpoint, or a and the prose ranges from chatty to equa Most introductory astronomy textbooks controversial question. The groups can tion-enhanced technobabble. The six sec start with the nearby and familiar (the solar remain the same all semester, or the students tions are: "Making the Case for Mars", system) and work their way out to the more can be regrouped after each session. "Getting There", "Living in Space", "Being distant and strange. The Visuaivu:nonm-y Benefits of this learning technique include more student interaction with each other and with the instructor, students becoming " ... THE reference book for writing planetarium shows about more responsible for both their own grades ing to or living on Mars." and the understanding of the subject(s) by others in the class, and the use of basic social interactive skills (e.g. communication, deci There: Living and Working on Mars", the Universe reverses this order and sion making) not usuall y considered a part of "Science on Mars" and "Costs and Benefits". with large scale structures. Each a general science class. The authors note that Astronaut psychology, mission manage Neutron Stars and Black Holes, Venus) groups often stay together all semester, often ment techniques, rover design and the rele given a two-page spread filled with working together on optional night labs vance of biosphere data are all covered as are satellite images and color illustrations. (examples given), study times, and computer biohazard effects, early sea voyages, various text slowly draws closer to home, sessions. A section on using computers as orbital schemes for delivering the goods with the solar system and lunar explC>ra"tlOn. part of the cooperative learning procedure (classic rocket science chockablock with The photographs and illustrations are explains the process in detail. equations) and the necessity of artificial stunning, with 8-10 color images on each Of course, the main drawback is the extra gravity. And these are only a small portion of page. The text is brief (a single for time needed to implement these techniques the many concepts covered each two-page spread), but the of in one semester - hardly time to explore the Though it's certainly not a book I recom the book's graphic design is rlt:>,-t:>rd·;.,t:> solar system, let alone the entire universe. mend for that lightweight summer reading example, the text includes the famous But, as Deming writes, it's a matter of quality list, Strategies for Mars is the reference book Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, which shows versus quantity. Yes, it does take more time for writing planetarium shows about travel the relationship between a star's mrmrlOSlty to implement this plan than it does to sim ing to or living on Mars. It's also great if and surface temperature. ply speak at the front of a room. If the stu you're writing the ultimate science fiction The Visual Guide to the Universe also con dents do learn and (hopefully) have a better novel about Mars exploration. But the best tains diagrams that show in schematic form: appreciation of astronomy, then the thing about Strategies for Mars is that it tells stellar absorption spectra from different stel approach is well worth a try. all of us there are people working very hard lar types; the process of nuclear fusion; an to assure that soon, traveling to Mars won't explanation of stellar magnitudes; the be science fiction anymore. process of stellar evolution for low and Strategies for Mars: A Guide for Why do we want to go to Mars? Because mass stars. In addition, there are three pages Human Exploration, edited by the human spirit requires frontiers. Let's go of astronomical data (planetary statistics, Carol R. Stoker and Carter see what's out there! list of the 10 brightest stars and their dis- Emmart, Volume 86 Science tances) and an '-J...... '-H''-~.H alr''''''''1"'' and Technology Series, Ameri Finally, there are detailed star charts can Astronomical Society, San northern and southern skies and a list of Diego, 1996, ISBN 0-87703-406-0. and lunar eclipses through the year 2005. 16 Planetarian Vol. No. 4, 1~.:.r':'n'1Oh",... Readers who want detailed CAjJHllHa.lH.. Hl::> an::nos:phere of ,",U'-U'V.LL.''-''.'" should pur like: The NTB's int:roductc)ry astronomy text. V"'AU~.UU.'" Jetstream, Colorations of the However, this text can serve as an excellent, SEB for a kid (of any like to However, it is a great book to have on the learn more about astronomy. shelf as a reference source. When you have a about some aspect you can find the reI evan t and read a of the in Historical observations are detailed, as are references sources to research done on I ..... i·""'·"it" Press, 40 each West 20th Street, New York, This book was written as the Gaiileo this a great ret(:>reJrlce NY, 10011-4211, USA, 1995, ISBN spclce1cratt was en route 0-521-41008-8. great source of information re12~ar(jinlg known about '-'Ja.",,-,.;. Most Reviewed Patrick McQuillan, Alexander of the information is data results. Brest Planetarium, Museum of Science and Add in what we know now from the Galileo Florida, USA. is one of the everyone who observes it says, tel,escope. The clouds bands, the interplay observation, all one can infer is that it the visible moons, in the Great crust) was not much more than 10 km are an part of the wonder of this thick when some of the fractures were pro·· Now reference book has been \..VJlHI-"U'--U dueed. and (1983) pre- that will you to better understand and diet enougn "'-'-'-LA"A to maintain a ... it is a source." the a COIllPlrehen sive collection of articles that describe in detail every aspect of book up and read cover to cover like a noveL (Unless you detail, At the 1998 Council meetlrlg in LV1.1UV.Ll, i"AIIf",1,"'14lfT members chosen to receive ''Fellow: Amaral, Bess Lacombe, Pierre Hostetter, David 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. ROVING STAR SN 95 SN 88 II The portable A planetarium Just lik.e a planetarium on the road grown-up Z.I. de la Vaure - B.P. 40 - 42290 SORBIERS - FRANCE Tel. : +33.4.77.53.30.48 - fax. : +33.4.77.53.38.61 E-mail : [email protected] centers Alaska - Anchorage -The Imaginarium Science Discovery Center Alabama - Huntsville - U.S. Space & Rocket Center Arkansas Little Rock -The Children's Museum of Arkansas Arizona - Phoenix - Arizona Science Center California -Los Angeles -California Science Center California -San Diego -San Diego Aerospace Museum California -Oakland -Chabot Observatory & Science Center Colorado - Denver Denver Museum of Natural History Montana State University Colorado - Colorado Springs - USAF Academy Center for Multi-Media Bozeman, Montana Connecticut - West Hartford -Connecticut NASA Education Consortium/The Science Center of Connecticut Delaware - Wilmington -Delaware Museum of Natural Even as Mars Global Surveyor continues to Florida -Tampa -MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) send new views of the Red Planet (impressive Florida -Jacksonville -Museum of Science & History/A. Brest Planetarium images of Olympus Mons have just been Georgia - Atlanta -Fernbank Science Center installed on JPL Internet sites as I write this in Hawaii -Honolulu - Bishop Museum October), we are on the verge of the next series Iowa - Des Moines -Science Center of Iowa of missions to Mars: the Mars Climate Orbiter Idaho -Pocatello -Idaho Museum of Natural History scheduled to launch as early as December 10, Illinois -Chicago -Museum of Science of Industry, Chicago and the Mars Polar Lander slated to blast off as Indiana -Indianapolis - The Children's Museum of Indianapolis early as January 3. Kansas -Hutchinson -Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center And if all has gone according to schedule, Kentucky -Louisville -Louisville Science Center the first element of the new International Louisiana -Shreveport -Sci-Port Discovery Center Space Station should now be in orbit as you Massachusetts -Boston -Museum of Science/Charles Hayden Planetarium Maine -Portland - Children's Museum of Maine read. It's uncertain if the current global eco Maryland -Baltimore -Maryland Science Center nomic situation will slow down construction, Michigan -Detroit -Detroit Science Center but, if all has gone well, we will have made a Michigan -Grand Rapids -Public Museum of Grand Rapids/Chaffee Planetarium start. Minnesota -St. Paul -Science Museum of Minnesota That start extends to Earth as well, in a new Missouri -St. Louis -St. Louis Science Center educational project which comprises this Mississippi -Stennis -Stennis Space Center Visitors Center month's first item. Mississippi -Jackson -Russell C. Davis Planetarium Montana -Bozeman -Museum of the Rockies/Taylor Planetarium Star Station One TM North Carolina - Charlotte - Discovery Place In a sudden flurry of activity in September, North Dakota -Grand Forks -Dakota Science Center the Boeing Company (prime contractor for the Nebraska -Lincoln - University of Nebraska State Museum International Space Station) in cooperation New Hampshire -Concord Christa McAuliffe Planetarium with the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii, New Jersey - Trenton - New Jersey State Museum Planetarium Space Center Houston, and NASA, announced New Mexico - Albuquerque - New Mexico Museum of Natl. Hist./LodeStar the Star Station One™ project to disseminate New Mexico - Alamogordo -Space Center International Hall of Fame Museum education materials and programs on the ISS Nevada -Reno -Fleischmann Planetarium throughout the U.S. Sixty museums and sci New York - Corona/Queens - New York Hall of Science ence centers were subsequently designated as New York -Syracuse -Rubenstein Museum of Science partners in the project (with at least one in New York Buffalo -Buffalo Museum of Science each of the fifty states) through a competitive Ohio - Columbus - COSI Columbus application and selection process. These insti Ohio-Cleveland - NASA Lewis Research Center Oklahoma - Oklahoma City -Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum at UnlniplE~x tutions will be providing leadership roles as Oregon -Po'rtland - Oregon Museum of Science & Industry educational resources for their regions regard Pennsylvania -Pittsburgh - Carnegie Science Center ing the ISS. Pennsylvania -Philadelphia -Franklin Institute The partnership plan calls for the sites to Rhode Island Providence -Museum of Natural and Planetarium receive a 1/144th scale display model of the sta South Carolina - Greenville -Roper Mountain Science Center tion, plus a set of l/S0th scale modules to South Dakota - Sioux Falls- Kirby Science Discovery Center demonstrate current assembly status as the sta Tennessee - Nashville -Sudekum Planetarium/Cumberland Science Museum tion is built. Additional props and materials, a Texas - Houston -Space Center Houston set of 16 live-presentation lessons, and regular Texas -Dallas -The Science Place NASA updates will provide the grist for educa Utah -Salt Lake City -Hansen Planetarium tional programs and teacher workshops over Virginia -Hampton - Virginia Air & Space Center & Hampton Roads Hist. Center the next three years. Vermont - Norwich -Montshire Museum of Science The project, funded and supported by Washington -Seattle -Pacific Science Center Boeing and administered by the Bishop Wisconsin -Milwaukee -Discovery World/ James Lovell Science Center Museum and Space Center Houston, will pro West Virginia -Charleston -Sumise Museum vide a real service in getting out news and Wyoming - Casper- Wyoming Science Adventure Center Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian information to schools and the tion front and back well. ISS is built and becomes individual is about 20 Dutch asked Ken Miller at or about $10 U.S. The goes of int~rnational parti~::iplatj"on lots: 500 cost about 12 Guilders project, and he indicated that or $6 U.S., with greater discounts for to encourage such the support and numbers. For more information, con- contributions of its international partners. tact as above. Stay tuned. If you wish to check with the In London, I up partner sites on the progress of the pro- mation about a company see the list in this column. which 70mtn film systems mC:IWJInlg p.lan,etiirillm theaters. Museum is also, as you action meet- may know, a NASA-funded pro- at the Cook Center in Corsicana, Texas. to create two programs on the theme of We watched the well-known 1M AX film eX1P101ral:10l]., one Polynesian voyag- with space voyaging, and the other focusing on the work of the many observa tories on Mauna Kea. The first is in and may be beta tested soon. tuned for its tion system seems de5>igrled with dome diameters of 40 feet (12 Can it 75 at a cost of about $350,000 ;)V.Ul~;LljllH'" new, it's (ao::or,ding to 1998 literature) inc:lwjin.g a mile stone on October 21 of this year, a which marked the of the first can contact tion plallletariurn Street, P.O. Box 4186, St. in Munich, (That makes our pro- 32085 USA, +1 904 829 5702, fession 34 years older than the space 9048295707, e-mail: 20 Lynn at 1944 NW 20, Oklahoma City, OK to research facilities to pro cOl:ltinuiing the efforts that 73106 USA, telephone +1405 524 2152. viding space hardware and software. It's a duce the current distribution aflranlgem~~nt good way to get a sense of the breadth of and that's has an arrlazing ""rnlko... space"related activity in the UK and to make of missions in the works; it will be With the year of the Great European Total contacts accordingly. time for both Earth studies and To get copies, as long as they remain avail tinued of the solar Solar Eclipse about to dawn, you may wish able, contact the Information Office at the In the meantime, check out the to note that Fred Espenak's eclipse web site British National Space Centre (BNSC), 151 has changed its server. It's new home is at the site at Buckingham Palace Road, London, SWI W your way to information about NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Sun 9SS, telephone +44 0171 215 0807, web site: missions, the Earth Connection Education Forum; Fred Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian phone/fax +1 510 547 6523, e-mail: 22 Planetarian Vol. No.4, December ANSWER: That's easy. Everybody asks about our theme song which is the classic 'Arabesque # l' by Claude Debussy performed by Tomita on the still available "Snowflakes Are Dancing" album (RCA) At what and the week can • see 'STAR GAZER'i 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 ISTAR GAZER' on hometown PBS station, how can I see it where llivel ANSWER: 'STAR GAZER' is provided free. ~ 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 is. avai lable fife of ~. QUESTION: Is it necessary to get special permission to use 4STAR GAZER' for astronomy club teaching in the classroom, science museum Oil' use? 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 SOIJn/!WcatG'd rl,lcr-,n/ll'ClC' QUESTION: Is there any way I can popular l;.,r"'YlI~JnD my local PBS station 1 Dr. 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 tower and make !:ICY'rnrlrln111 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 MUlseum/H:avelen IJI<:>not'""vIO QUESTION: I am a teacher and would like several 'STAR in ad "... 1 never miss it. vance, but I do not have access a satellite involved in science Is there I can 'STAR GAZER'l with Jack Horkheimer's science fact. " ANSWER: Any teacher anywhere around the world can obtain John Nathan 'STAR GAZER' episodes in advance through their NASA e.O.R.E. Executive Teachers' Resource Center. For details write: NASA e.0. R. E.; Lorain County Joint Vocational School; 15181 Route 58 South; Oberlin, OH. 44074. Or visit our website: www.jackstargazer.com Produced in rnr'H',,\,c,r':lTll"\n I would suggest a bi-directional approach. Isunset times, Moon etc.) First, could the planetarium community However, I do have a few take steps to help me (administrator hat on) Although it may not understand the planetarium profession, espe at commercial facilities, cially if I have no previous experience in, or in the Planetarian, and Steve Tidey with, a planetarium? This could be achieved zines and journals certainly gets the by developing a simple flier on the planetari tion of the academic community. Schools an's profession. I've seen one by the AAS on told my boss that I write Planetarium astronomy. Or perhaps by hosting invita for the Planetarian, she said, "I didn't tional workshops/sessions at appropriate planetarium people had their own New York professional meetings, i.e., "How to Use Your Another way to help pr()te~;sional standinl! USA Planetarium to Further the Goals of Your is to become involved with the local Museum, School, etc." Obviously, these need system. I present workshops to teachers [email protected] to be offered at ASTC, AAM, etc., meetings, as give them hands-on astronomy "'r-+iH;·H~~ offering them at IPS or affiliate meetings they can continue the excitement of a Hello, would only be preaching to the choir. tarium field into their own ClaSSrID01TIS. Historically, the education profession Second, I feel there is often a need to help You don't have to do activities; you across the world has had a difficult time try planetarians see the bigger picture. Un into classrooms and talk about the ing to decide where the skills developed in a fortunately, we (planetarian hat on) some other areas of expertise. This also works planetarium fit in to a teacher's overall skills. times see ourselves as designed exclusively making presentations away from the This has lead, up to a point, to a feeling in for round rooms with red cove lights. tarium to civic groups, clubs some quarters that work under the dome is There are probably many areas in a plane Girl Scouts), and other organizations. A so different from classroom skills that it can tarian's museum or school community letters to your administrators from teachers only be treated as a field on its own, almost where the planetarian can become involved or civic leaders singing your an oddity, and, therefore, does not require as and make a contribution to the mutual ben wonders to enhance your professional stand much respect. Thinking about this long-run efit of both the planetarium and its parent ing. ning, thorny problem lead me to develop institution. I realize there are time con We can also do this for each other. this as the Forum topic. Here it is: straints, as many spend long hours just keep tinely send cries of help to various members ing the planetarium in operation. But it is of the profession who always with than Some are more fortunate others in their certainly something that should be consid promptness and tons of help and info. When work environment, but unfortunately for a ered in a positive light when budgeting time you do this, learn their administrator's name good number of planetarians, frustration and setting priOrities. and write that administrator a letter (or an e occurs when they sense their creativity, You'll note I've approached this with the mail message). Tell them what a Hu·w,,-tcw.j.,,1 skills, and knowledge are undermined by basic assumption that a planetarian is a help their employee has been to ..... u'-'c,"'-, some administrators who do not value their member of a profession. There has been a lot member of the profession. This professional standing, for reasons unfath of discussion in the past regarding just what administrator know that their errlnl,oVi"f' omable to us. So what can the IPS, regional constitutes a profession, whether a planetari valued by, and supported planetarium organizations, and individuals an position meets these criteria and then worldwide community. do to show the powers that be that planetari how to get the profession recognized by oth~ And to all the people who've am are working in a profession? ers, primarily those in positions to employ over the years (and you know who you and supervise planetarians. We could re-open send me your administrator's address I see Bob Hayward walking to the lectern that discussion in a heartbeat (although I'm get the letters out away! to begin the debate, so let's hear what he has not suggesting that). However, I still would Pam to say. contend that, ultimately, if administrators Pution Tasi Planetarium understand the functions and potentialities University of Guam of their planetariums, and if the planetarians Mangilao, Guam are sensitive to their roles in the overall goals The primary need for a good working rela of their parent organizations, that the profes *** tionship between planetarians is an obvious sionalism issue will resolve itself. one - communications. Having been on both Bob Hayward I am one of the fortunate few sides of the fence, first as an astron Administrative Coordinator has the whole-hearted support of my super omer/planetarian and now as an administra Fernbank Science Center visor. Given his wish to think the best of me, tor, I know how valuable it has been to me 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E. I still did have to earn his confidence in my to have our administrators involved in the Atlan ta, Georgia 30307 professionalism and to him form the program production process and in other belief that I am capable of areas of planetarium operations. The ques *** money and accolades to his rI""""' ... ·+rn,""'+ tion then remains how IPS or the regional our organization in general. I believe that affiliates can help individual planetarians Fortunately for me, this problem is not there is a great deal of responsibility open the lines of communications with their one I deal with personally. As the local goes along with being given the n.T'\..... A·,.+"~ ..·H administrators so that information and expert on Guam's skies (hey, it's a small to use all the knowledge, skills, and mutual respect can flow freely. If this can be islandl), I'm definitely viewed as a profession ty a person possesses. One must be their own done effectively, I think the ultimate issue of al by the entire community. (I'm even regis best advocate, and bring their recognition of the profeSSionalism of the tered with the local court system as someone from under the bushel." Some tec:hrliqlles planetarian will take care of itself. to consult for matters concerning sunrise think a bou1: 24 Planetarian Vol. • Develop measurable outcomes and the "hooks" they use to bring the customer rubrics, or other evaluative devices, that back to the planetarium for repeat visits. will give you statistics which show your Being an educator, I believe that your clients program's effectiveness. And give your need to have their minds engaged in a enter customer (teacher/audience) evaluation taining way. If they learn something that sheets each time you give a lesson/show. connects to their daily lives (needs), they will Show the statistics gathered and client be back to learn and enjoy some more. write. responses, plus student pictures and let Basically, it still all comes down to the It also includes the salaries we ters, periodically to your superiors. individual's responsibility to be a profession of these things show how pr()tessi,onal • Make your superiors aware of any extra al and to "publish or perish", so to speak. really are. work you do to promote space science lit Sue Reynolds eracy (i.e., volunteer time to local science OCMBOCES fairs and Olympiads or be a mentor). 6820 Thompson Road • Write TV and news personalities about POBox 4754 your program and any awards received Syracuse, New York 13221 Prince Frederick, 411 Use the local university communications students to develop videos and articles *** about your program. • Keep abreast of new developments in Frustrations in all work environments are I've heard people complaining about this your field and talk about them to your common, but it seems that planetarians have before, but I'm not sure what supervisor, showing enthusiasm for new a great number of them due to administra are talking about. I don't know if it anoth- discoveries and their implications. tors. I believe their reason for this is simple - er way of saying, don't Attend conferences/workshops even if it is a lack of understanding of what a "plane enough", or if its another way of you have to spend some of your own tarian" is. Most administrators have no idea don't get my way." Either way, I bet money to get there. what it takes to write and produce programs, professionals would sometimes feel the same 411 Without prompting, take additional deal with students, teachers, and the public, way. (education/management, etc.) courses so or serve as the means by which all work is I have not felt like my institution treats that you can remain aware of new state accomplished. Administrators often have me like a non-professional. Sure, there are and national education standards and assistants who handle many things for them; times that I don't get what I want, but who business practices. Also, so you can utilize planetarians rarely do. Many administrators does? There are times that I suggest some the current jargon to speak with teachers have not visited the planetarium under their thing. Months or years later (sometimes after and administrators. control. This again leads to a lack of under someone else suggests the same this • Display certificates of course completion standing. I have heard many an administra idea is put into effect. Maybe that's and/or awards in your office. tor ask, "How do you change that people mean when they say support the individual's responsibility to be overcome these stereotypes. Regional organi The timing of this question was rAY'1'l1'n ::>ir&:> a professional? These organizations can be a zations can help by creating awards which because the seed of my response is found in vital resource for individuals, and they pro recognize a person's achievements, and mak my daily Dilbert calendar for the week. vide the means of networking institutions ing sure that museum or school district Ratbert, while suspended in mid-air, is who are successful with those in need of sup administrators are aware of the awards. The exclaiming to the pointy-haired administra port. They can also provide the time and regionals should take time to contact the tor, "Don't be alarmed. I'm not a rat place, at conferences, for modeling programs local paper as well and announce the floating in mid-air. I'm clinging to the back that work and provide education about how achievement. Papers often carry promotion of an employee who has been rendered to develop measurable outcomes and effec announcements in professional fields. So invisible by a long succession of worthless tive evaluative tools. They could also devel announcing that someone is President, assignmen ts." op, support, and run in-service programs and Fellow, or has received an award from MAPS, to our ··D()Inltv-ml.1n'Q" give participants a document certifying GLPA, SEPA, RMPA, GPPA, SWAP, or IPS istrators can certainly lead to completion of a workshop or class. Members helps people in the community, and espe ued, especially if the planetarium is reg;arcled of these organizations can share ideas about cially the administrators, see a professional as the "worthless assignmentl/. Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian While it may not work in every case, involvement in your professional organiza able to you, while at the same time increasing your visibility rarely hurts your tions, and if your presentation or paper is give up trying to improve those conditions. case for professional recognition. David included in conference proceedings, direct a Working in a museum today has Linton, in the autumnal equinox GLPA copy to them with a post-it marking the many of the same frustrations encountered newsletter writes, "One of the conclusions in page, and a short FYI note. I've done this in in rural India nearly 30 years ago. This David Batch's dissertation is that in order to the past with surprising success. It may losophy has served me well over the years survive and to flourish, college planetariums sound like tooting your own horn, but its since then in the planetarium, and I believe need to develop friends within their institu necessary for your survival. it can be the foundation for a successful rela tions, friends who use the planetarium .... " Of course, this means that publications tionship with any administration. From my experience, it's not just college should be a part of every regional's service to But don't increase your the way planetariums that need friends, its all of us. members. IPS and GLP A have made publish Dilbert did on the next day's page. Dilbert: "I Further, our administrators need to be ing proceedings a regular component of significantly increased my visibility at work brought into that circle of friends. every conference. I don't know whether today, Dogbert. I was invisible to Establish a relationship with your superi other regionals regularly publish proceed my management, but today I am known ors, and take the initiative to schedule a ings of their meetings, but if they don't, its all". Dogbert: "You screwed up, Huh?" meeting if you don't do it regularly. something they could do to help their mem Dilbert: "Ooh time." "... to show the powers that be that plane bers. tarians are working in a profession" requires (Certification as a planetarian has been Director of Science Prc)grarrls additional effort. To paraphrase a famous suggested many times over the years as a Lakeview Museum Planetarium quote, lilt's not what IPS and the regionals solution to this concern. While it may come 1125 W. Lake A venue can do for you, it's what you can do for to pass someday, I'm not directing my Peoria, Illinois 60067 them." Prepare articles for the Planetarian remarks in that direction because the diversi and for presentation at regional and IPS ty of our situations and the small size of our *** meetings. Make it a goal to do one thing professional associations are major factors every year that merits a paper or article. In which, I think, severely limits its nr'~rt;r'" One of the greatest problems in the addition, if time permits, volunteer for com ty.) tarium is the fact we love our mittee aSSignments and leadership positions Finally, 28 years ago, serving in the Peace Regardless of the size of our facility, we if the opportunity arises. But don't let it stop Corps in South India, I learned a valuable les enjoy the thrill of introducing the wonders there. Let your administrators know of your son: do your best with the resources avail- of the to others. And there lies the DILBER T reprinted by permiSSion of United Feature Syndicate, Inc. 26 Planetarian Vol. lem. in a museum was told her attendance Many of us so much love what we do that increasing programs weren't to the idea of advancing into the dry, everyday the overall museum's environment. It took world of management holds no fascination over a year for management to replace her for us. To lose the opportunity to play in and re-open the planetarium to the such an environment is a very difficult One, going into a high school, was told her option, one that a dedicated planetarian years of planetarium experience were not often declines. comparable to classroom time, and she was Of course, this results in the following: We paid as a second-year teacher. love what we do, and being constantly The Education Committee, in trying to harangued by those who see a person having find a solution for this and similar problems, a good time in a job - something must be discussed the possibility of a certification wrong. To consider a position that someone procedure for the field. But the major prob actually wants to do every day must not be lem seemed to be addressing a field where one of much importance, and very easy to each facility can be different in: size, projec do. tion type, number of staff, location, amount The MAPS Education Committee recently of auxiliary equipment, type of associated addressed this issue because members had facility and related exhibits. been deemed not equal in job positions by The only Similarity among planetariums management. One, working in a school, was is that there's a round ceiling somewhere in told his lack of teaching certification (not a the building! Trying to coordinate a process job requirement) allowed administrators to that would apply to all several thousand of give him a lower salary. One person working us seems totally impOSSible. Is it worthy of The IPS'98 Conference Team has now recovered from the ordeal of organising this conference, and, in have all become aware of how much we missed while we were busy attending to all the last-minute issues which arose. is a tion well-known to all conference hosts! From all the very kind and generous letters we have received, we are to know that of you had a good time, and enjoyed the programme we had organised We are very to all of you took the write and tell us so. Thank you to all those who have returned the Evaluation forms - those who didn't should send Hallstrom Planetarium, Indian River College, 2903 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA), and not to us interesting reading! Some of you would have preferred a longer conference with more free time; this was our but at the request of Council reduced the length in order to keep costs down. Some of you found the of the Conference difficult to folloWi if you have constructive thoughts on how it could be next time, send them on to one of the ",-,V'UU,,,-H Officers, or our next host. Jon is assessing all the feedback with the aim of helping future hosts what members want; sure that Pierre and his colleagues in Montreal will find your views very useful as he for IPS2000. We would like to express our thanks to the major sponsors -Evans & Sutherland, Astro-Tec Inc., and Kodak, all of whom contribut ed considerable fundsi but also to all the others who contributed in their various ways, and without whom much of enjoyed in London would not have been possible. Exhibitors added their own dimension to our programme at the New Connau~~ht Rooms and you all seem to have found the planetarium demonstrations interesting., Thank you to aU those who spent in May and June setting up these demos up. One abiding memory for me will be the at midnjlght, .... ~hl ... niin Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian fIt Director at the Plainedge Planetarium, at if he had his new of music all I Packard School, in North Massapequa, New posed as a result of the experience, York. told yes .... Gavin formerly of the Alex- Per Broman Director, UHJHJIUU ander Brest Planetarium in Jacksonville, Flor Planetarium, Falun Sweden) ida, has moved to the T.e. Hooper Plane ungulate horn whilst on one tarium at the Roper Mountain Science fallen Stonehenge slabs - whilst one Center where he will work as Planetarium Stonehenge custodians swatted at Producer along with Steve Morgan and get him off .... Gegan. Several buses reported glimp,ses we were sure were crop circles in Our Condolences shire fields in the vicinity of St(mE~he~nge. to friends of Newton G. Sprague, the first Dale Smith (IPS President-Elect and director of the Ball State University Plane tarium, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 84. He entered the planetarium "lost" at Avebury, 602-716-2078 field in the late 1960s when he monitored the construction of the university's planetar the wrong buses, but 602-716-2099 fax ium and observatory. Like others, he devel magnetic resonances and other "forces", their way back .... [email protected] oped and explored new ways to use the plan etarium in the school environment, which Tom Callen (Astronomer /Producer, he shared with his students. Several of these Cosmonova, Stockholm) sUckinQ: are in the planetarium field and have been under the dome that protects the Congratulations '<":I<=.')L'JI'C key figures in organizations such as Great section of William Herschel's big to Tom Hocking (Dome-L moderator) and Lakes Planetarium Association. He always tube in front of the old Greenwich observa Alan Gould (Director, William K. Holt made an extra effort to assist those students tory (now housing the planetarium on Planetarium, Lawrence Hall of Science, long after they graduated This was true even upper floor) ... and getting a wonderful Berkeley) on reaching 600 participants for during his retirement. According to Ronald which appeared in his electronic newspaper the planetarium list-server. In the words of Kaitchuck (former student of Newton on the IPS web site .... one participant, "Many thanks to the facili Sprague, and Director of the Ball State Following Terence MtirUlgn tators of and the contributors to this forum University Planetarium) "Those of us who took about a dozen planetarians on a for making it a valuable resource for the knew him will miss his kindness and his walking tour of Soho at - it was a fas planetarium community. May we all work sense of humor." cinating through a section of .uvuuvu together to serve better both the profession to Dave Vondra, (Instructor at King jam packed with history, theaters, and our respective audiences." Planetarium, Omaha Nebraska, and GPPA rants, shops where various body parts to Lars Broman (President, Broman Plane Treasurer) who had quadruple bypass be pierced or clothed in rubber, and a tarium, Goteborg-Angered Sweden) who surgery last October. We hope his recovery life offering every sort of recently became the proud grandfather to will be quick and complete. interpersonal relationship .... Filip Oskar, born 11 September (he is Lars' to Harold van Schaik (former Director at Watching a number of pl,mEtal~ia11S first grandchild and son of his son Patrik). the Garland ISD Planetarium in Texas) who ing more photographs of the and to Goran Back (Keeper, Stella Nova had a stroke last May, and to Williams radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank to Planetarium, Falun Science Center) and (Director, Planetarium at the University of tures of cows and Mariana Back (Teknorama Curator, the Arkansas - Little Rock) who is renewing his neighboring fields .... Assorted IPS Council members Swedish Museum of Technology in Stock battle with cancer. holm) who also became grandparents last a small chunk of Isaac Newton's one of the offices of the venerable September. Their son Svante is the father of you know new daughter, Linnea. Astronomical Society - while just outside Pam Eastlick (Planetarium Coordinator, window hung an artistic human Mangilao, Guam) believes she may be the People on the Move: upside down by its feet. Martin Ra1tcUlffe most isolated planetarium in the world. Pam (Director, the Cyberdome, Place, Dave Kary (formerly at the Gladwin says she is 1595 miles [2567 km] from Manila, Wichita Kansas) commented that it can be Planetarium in Santa Barbara) is now teach and 1576 miles [2536 km] from Nagoya. Pam awkward for him to speak to groups like the ing at UCSB. He can be reached at kary@ says that Nagoshima is closer to her than RAS, because he now sounds more io.physics.ucsb.edu, or at home at 805-687- Nagoya, but it wasn't listed in the mileage American to Londoners. 4942. checker she used. It's pretty safe to say that Watching planetarians frolic in the Kevin Scott (former Producer at the Coca she is 1500 miles [2400 km] from the nearest dren's play area at Wilton House (a Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, planetarium. She'd like to hear if anyone else the post-conference Wiltshire tour) after sup Georgia) is now at the Renaissance Center in may be further from all other planetariums. per ... notably, Scott (Laser Dickson, Tennessee, where he is the Director More memories from London's IPS confer International) and Lars Christensen of their new Interactive 3D Dome Plane ence, courtesy of Jim Manning (Director, Brahe Planetarium, vVI-'<:::.l.Lua".;e.Uj tarium (I3DT for short). Taylor Planetarium, Museum of the Rockies, on the trampoline in a Steven Russo (former Director of the LJ Bozeman Montana): performance. Southern Cayuga Atmospherium-Planetar John Serrie (Future Music) "listening" to Watching the staff of Madame ium in Poplar Ridge, New York) is now the Stonehenge uprights; Jim asked him later Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian shooing stragglers through rooms full of stiff Kudos to David Falk (Director, Los al rounds! celebrities for our dinner with the queen, Valley College Planetarium, Van Glenn with everybody wanting a detour through California), Kent, and all associated the Chamber of Horrors .... with the Quad conference in Van Tadashi Mori (CEO, Media i Corporation) Conference attendees had a ~~~~".J'~ made a presentation at IPS'98 in London (Bowen Productions) didn't think we would causing a river to flood its banks about the live broadcast of the total solar be able to get Hare (ASH Enterprises) diverted the science eclipse from Venezuela via the Internet. He away from the computerized lathes in the now plans to make a similar broadcast live machine shop during the tour of ]PL! Jeff from Europe next year. Several planetariums reported that he has worked out the final across the United States have already ex contract with Jim. to start author pressed an interest in participating! ing their new "Seasons" AstroNotes program. For the GLPA Banquet this October, Conference attendees enjoyed watching Jeanne (Westlake Schools Plane the notorious episode of "South Park" during We certainly tarium, Ohio) prepared planetarium songs a late-night vendor fest. Repeated for the Wollongong recovers cOlnl=)let:el~1!! set to other tunes. She reported that remainder of the conference were such Camp Sunrise in Fairmount, '-''-'V.L,,'''", Shore volunteered to write music for a cama phrases as "I love my work," (in monotone). an windfall - raderie song for everyone to sing together. Also during the tour of ]PL, Jon Frantz unsolicited Hopefully, it was a harmonious success! (East Coast Control Systems) was asked to them to COlmp'lerelY You can now listen to Loch Ness' Geo impersonate a rock, and was told by the tour ium! They have also purct1a5;ed desium album Fourth Universe on broad guide that he made a very good one. jector and laser disc cast.com, according to Mark Petersen (Loch Mike (RMP A President and planetarium patron liked what Ness Productions). The address is: http:// Assistant Director of the Taylor Planetarium doing and decided to the www.broadcast.com/jukebox/Albums/F in Bozeman, Montana) finished the RMPA (Camp Sunrise is a reiillic)Us /FourthUniverse 2653.stm Planetarium Primer, with many excellent has no fund-raisers, no admission Jack Dunn (Director, Ralph Mueller Plane articles that will be of use to everyone in our According to Planetarium Director tarium, University of Nebraska State field. Speaking of Mike, ask him to do his "look to the Museum) is concerned about the statue of interpretation of a belly dancer next time the elephant that they are planning on you see him. The US Air Force D.r'''f1~>rnu plarLet,;lfil:1m putting in front of his museum. Reportedly, Donna Pierce (Director, Highland Park ISD Colorado Springs is upgrading to visitors exiting the museum will have an Planetarium, Dallas, Texas) has been very around the turn of the year. unobstructed view of the elephant's posteri busy lately and notably missing from plane (Director) has been and will continue or. (Is it anatomically correct?) tarium conferences. (We miss you, Donna!) on the road a bit this fall so The Canyon Diablo specimen which was She's been in St. Louis (daughter was remar StriIlJ~h(un (Technician) is stolen on August first and recovered a week ried - and took her two boys to their farm for workout at the Center for .w ....,U-.,uL."n.Hu or so later in New York, has finally come a week of wave running, swimming, home, according to Matthew Linke (Plane horses and 4-wheel vehicles, and some tea.cnmg at the tarium Director, Exhibit Museum of Natural astronomy after dark) then to Denver where PrE~Sellted "Star Lore: Centl1riJ2S History in Ann Arbor, Michigan). The mete her youngest son and his fiancee ~"",HU'''''LL orite is safe and secure, awaiting any further are, then home to find a place to live. Her need as evidence should there be a criminal school golf team won STATE last so The poems from ancient trial. she's been working with them on the nation- to this decade. 30 Planetarian Vol. SHOW KITS AVAILABLE FROM THE DUCK, LOOK A fun, friendly and exploration of the sky! Designed especially through 1st graders, this is an ideal first primary school audiences. Your presenter program blending live interaction with segments. • 20 minutes / 108 slides / $450 LIFE BEYOND EARTH* 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 ...... m:: • Soundtrack on cassette, Journey into the future from a space station out to the stars. Dolby B, Cor dbx -38 minutes / 321 slides / $350 ~. • Slides WORLDS OF WONDER* Distribution, Davis rlanEltOrllJrn Investigate some of the exciting discoveries made about Maryland Science the worlds in ou r Sola r System. 601 Light Street • 25 minutes / 314 slides / $350 Baltimore, PARTNER * SHIP lie 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 the Westinghouse Electric: Corporation 11111 SCIENCE CENTER You can start holding PIPS meetings in Juliann (Muller, Director) was at IPS your area too. Contact me to find out how to new portable planetarium dome get started guy named Albert PIa (from dome had a around it which lean on. It seemed very stable and very impressed with it. Do you know Steve Russo (Director, Plainedge Plane we can contact him?" tarium, Packard School, N. Idaho Ave, N. I sent some information and Brought to you by and of interest to: Massapequa, NY 11758; 32 Planetarian Vol. Present at reflective and smooth, interior dome. The them by means of an inflated IPS '98: two layers are lined up on initial inflation the outside bottom of the and remain that way for all future inflations. used a Goto Ex-3 projector and two (Saint There is a walk in type of door with Zippers projectors. The hand held slide ...... r'iar+,....-r and the dome is equipped with several a zoom lens which allows the operator This new projector has some interesting adjustable vents for circulation. overlay images on the children! features. It is built with two halves of a 4. Project Sphera-Albert Pia (Barcelona, imagine getting into a hot air balloon sphere. It projects 1500 stars, and the naked Spain) in the sky or into a spacesuit before eye planets, moon and sun are projected Albert Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian easy transport. Teaching the Rock Cycle With a StarlaQ idea, as well as some pre and post ::Irri"jjl-j<>,;: Peter graciously treated us to lunch and Wayne James with students of all ages. we discovered some clues to his amazing Stars make stuff! Ka Boom!! They blow up showmanship. He has a background in pub and scatter stuff all over. We are made of Creating Ancient Observing Sites lic TV and the now defunct organization of some of that stuff. The whole Earth is made Gene Zajac educational actors, Interaction. It is obvious of some of that stuff and it all gets recycled This activity will teach partH:lpants that he loves his work and has had a great As people have gone into space and existing observing sites at a variety of deal of experience with Starlab. He says, "You looked back at Earth, it has led to new tions. The purpose is to take what is observed can't beat Starlab stars!" He was using one of insight into the place we live. After 8 years of and create a meaningful site of their Ray's domes but uses a Starlab as a back-up hiring me to teach constellations with the using a computer program the rising and set dome and for smaller venues. He has pur Starlab, the Regional Office of Education has ting points for the solstices can be found as chased an extra flap of material from Learn decided to purchase a new dome and projec well as the altitude for the sun. ing Technologies Inc. to cover the door tor. Instead of getting duplicate films, I sug can also be incorporated into the opening of Starlab to prevent light invasion. gested we branch out in to more Earth Making the physicaJ model and Peter also does presentations where he uses Science. I do this even though I feel the best the culture adds to the A Starlab the dome for helping students learn about use of a Starlab is teaching constellations. stationary planetarium can demonstrate other non-astronomical topics such as This workshop will be about combining site for all to see. dinosaurs, weather, plate tectonics, ocean astronomy with Earth Science. currents and the world globe. l)emonstrlttions: All in all it was a wonderful visit and I Movers, Shakers and Risk Takers Two brief demonstrations also hope to maintain a close contact with Peter Barbara Nissen given, one by Doris Forror, who will in the future. He has many creative ideas and This workshop will feature the Starlab uses of a Radmar Single Slide Projector, and makes ingenious inventions about which I Plate Tectonic Cylinder which can be used the other by Chuck Bueter, who has invent want to learn more. If you get a chance to either in Starlab or as an auxiliary projector ed a simple paper plate Planet Projector. visit him it will be well worth your time. in your stationary dome. A lesson will be demonstrated that may be modified to fit Starlab Workshops for GlPA any Earth Science curriculum at the Middle 1998: or High School level. You can discover meth Users in France: ods for comparing areas of high risk with This year there will be no stationary dome areas of low risk for seismic (earthquake) and Unfortunately, a meeting scheduled for 31 at the conference. Attendees will make pre volcanic activity. The concluding discussion October and 1-2 November 1997, in Nice, had sentations in only portable domes. There will involve brainstorming ways to prove to be canceled. The attempt for a in will be three Starlabs; one of them will be the the relevance of this information to stu March 1998 was also canceled. Those interest Super Dome. The following five outstanding ""VU'-4'VH dents'lives. ed met at the IPS '98 conference in workshops will be presented in these domes where we discussed the most convenient and all of them can be adapted for a station Mythology With a New Twist dates for the next European Meeting of Small ary dome. Susan Reynolds and Mobile Planetarium Users. The During a PIPS meeting, in June 1998 at the meeting will be held in the spring of 1999 Sky Lore and Celestial Navigation in the Maryvale Planetarium in Buffalo, a discus France in conjunction with the national $outhSeas sion was held involving ways to build inter Association of French-Speaking Planetariums Jeanne Bishop active lessons for the planetarium around meeting. The plan is to have a Groups who reached Hawaii and other teaching mythology of the heavens. The meeting with translators provided. The date long-distance Pacific sailors used a number of standard idea of having students learn or cre has not been finalized yet, Mm Agnes Acker natural clues. The stars were important as ate a myth to tell under the stars was men is frantically working that out with sponsors. well. Techniques for locating a known island tioned. However, Kathy Michaels then told The meeting will be sometime in April, using the stars and ideas of the sky held by us about how one of the Maryvale English or June. If you are interested in attenGll:lg at South-Sea sailors will be explored in this all please contact me so that I may you teachers employs a technique for involving workshop, including use of "sacred calabash students more completely in the classroom. informed as soon as possible. es." Ship "scientists" will tell the "captain" This teacher makes a ritual out of the story (planetarium operator) how to steer the telling. This technique can be adapted very "boat" to reach an "island" nicely for the planetarium. During this work That's all for now. Next time some news shop the participants will experience the rit about activities in the SEPA region from ual and discuss how they might utilize this Sharon Mendonsa. Keep in touch! aane's, continued back from page 54) The young man was gone a few minutes Carole; the full moon was bright to and when he returned, he announced the allow the gnomon to cast a shadow and the as a permanent exhibit in front of the time which was very close to the actual time! diurnal motion of the full moon at museum. In a joking mood, she handed the Puzzled, everyone present wandered out to closely parallels the diurnal movement youngster a lighted candle and said, "Go out the sundial, and sure enough, the gnomon the sun in the daytime! to the sundial and find out what time it is!" pointed to the correct time! The joke was on 34 Planetarian Vol. No.4, December 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 EXPERIJENCE" Direct Booking: P.C.M. Tel/Fax 004533147005 See Tycho Brahe Planetarium Web-Site: http.llwww.astro.ku.dk/tycho.html click on" Program "0 then "Saerlige Activities" our "astroeducational patient", mandating a motion-axis, additional trip to "intensive care". Again, the thing that tacts are needed. On some of the makes a slip-ring assembly so critical to the machines, in fact, it's not uncommon life of the star machine is that it must deliver several dozen slip-rings and electrical current into a continuously-rotat rounding a motion-axis. This increased ing mechanical assembly. (This would be ber of moving electrical contacts, similar to having your head rotate repeated the physical shape and size of the ly in the same direction on-command with tor assemblies themselves, will often s out breaking the signals between your brain a variety of slip-ring COllfi)t?;U1:atilon.s, and spinal column!) For this reason, slip-rings ing parallel-cylinder and na.rallf'I··all;K and their brush-contacts can be considered (Figures 2 and 3, both electrical and mechanical devices, and found attached around are key elements in making the star projector Morehead function. concentric-disk and C071Cen tl"lC-CVI'lnl1er ...... - ...... Carolina (Figures 4 and 5), which are Circling Circuits - How They mounted around the larger star n1",">iA.r'i-r,.,. Work parts surrounding the and pn~ce~SSlon axes of the claSSic-style Zeiss, MinoI ta, The basic principle of this electromechani Virtually all mechanical planetarium Goto instruments. Both the oar'anel-c'llSK cal device is illustrated for a hypothetical instruments share a common attribute - concentric-cylinder configurations allow single-circuit application in Figure 1. In the they have electrical circuits which pass into maximum number of circuits to be 'AU""-''"''-'-A illustration, a lamp that must be powered rotating assemblies. This includes the star in a minimum amount of space, but continuously is attached to a thick disk, with ball, latitude axis - and in some cases - the can be a bit more difficult to maintain both lamp and disk rotating near the end of Sun, Moon and planet projectors. Since wires repair than the parallel-cylinder and a stationary metal shaft. The lamp is con and cables alone are inadequate to transfer tric-disk types. nected electrically (via wires) to two dual electrical current in such applications, spe Slip-rings are placed in several different contact metal brushes - which also rotate cial "slip-rings" are incorporated. Slip-rings locations on the typical star while riding against two fixed metal slip are extremely critical components in our star can be found at the motion axes of rings mounted over the non-rotating shaft. machines. If one or another of these special (assuming that your instrument has In turn, these rings are electrically-connected connections fails to pass electrical current, a motion capability), latitude, daily, and preces to the lamp-circuit's power supply. SpeCial lamp, motor, or position-readout will stop sion. In addition, machines whose electrical insulators prevent the slip-rings functioning properly. Because of their criti Moon, and planet images are created and brushes from short-circuiting against the cal role, let's take a closer look at slip-rings - rately-Iamped projectors (again, as in other metal parts. Regardless of the rotation and at what is needed to keep them working sic Zeiss-style designs), will have al speed or direction, or the number of rota well. ters of slip-rings mounted at those se]:)arate tions, these slip-rings and contact-brushes Slip-rings and their associated "brush-con projector elements, as well. In some should pass uninterrupted electrical current tacts" can be thought of as the "synapses" ments, electrical current may pass thl:OUlgh to the lamp. Or they could power a motor or within the projector's "nervous system". If a many as five separate sets of "'l'n_r,.,.HH: other electrical device. slip-ring stops passing current for any reason, brushes to complete a circuit. On the In the case of more than one circuit at a the result is a paralysis or similar failure in hand, the fewer motion-axes that a must pass through, the fewer """"'_""1"'1<1' tacts are involved in passing the current to disk the final controlled component. (rotating) instance, the circuit for a Sun, Moon projector on a classic machine brush with a heading motion would involve separate slip-rings and brushes wired in series (two-conductor pairs at five different axes). ~SliP-ringS On the other hand, the meridian or dome ftLt;flIHX nl",("'I;t:l,rt-,(Yrc on an instrument without a heading motion would have no slip-rings involved at alL If anyone of these slip-ring/brush contacts fails to pass current in a circuit, then that lamp, motor, or other associated device the star projector will stop in much the same way that the failure of single lamp in a string of old series-wired Christmas-tree lights would make all lamps in the stop the light-string analog, however, ".,,"'_.,...... "T<: and contacts usually don't just fail in tinuous manner. Instead, as there deteriorate, Figure 1 36 Planetarian Vol. ciano Before on IH"\_ri,-.rr" and sure to have the usual COml)lemt~nt brushes. If there is drivers and nut-drivers any doubt about any whether all instru ferent ,r""rr .. .,.,,..,rA men t circuits are inc:ludirlg a or two inactive after prove invaluable, your "routine" spaces involved. power-down proce small dental ins:pe<:tic)D dure at the console II Ii or otherwise, turn you see off all nooks and crannies. Figure 2 power feeds at the In the realm of materials, breaker box. It's a suitable contact '-A ...:U.ll.CC.l./ utJ'rH:arlt Years ago, it was often star machines to use a case of older star tive grease -like type used machines which mechanical tuners. This worked may have been modified ous staff or others - for some instrument cpmponents to be Dowereo from dif ferent sources. If in dou bt, you can shut down ",,",+i,,.~+n of the theater power, and run a work in from an outside 3 will start passing current inter- ters, multiple low- and n1Clrh_l"AI+.,crL:> mittently as the correspond- pass through corresponding of metal instrument motion is run a condition positioned just a few millimeters apart. A which creates current in the circuit short-circuit can easily occur if some power and is hard on lamps, motors, con circuit is inadvertently left active as you trol electronics, and the slip-ring assemblies probe around the with tools .themselves. It becomes all the more fingers, and this can lead to tive, then, that and brushes be the star machine, control console, or other maintained - a point which is par related electronics. More irnlnr,... +·"."..·Hu critical whenever a circuit passes can also represent a safety n ... ("\hl.o~Yl through multiple motion-axes. so always remember to exercise cal1n,:m. To operate well, and brushes Also, as you power-up the instrument even works well in salt-laden must be in good physical condition - which rotate it for access to another areas areas, to the m'3.ll111falcDlln:!r. means should be smooth and free of slip-rings, be sure to double-check eRe's 3-36, DeoxIT-DS is a rf"\,..,,,£>.,.,i.~~+ sharp protruSions, pits, heavy scoring, warp- you've shut it back down each time or other such deformities. In addition, touching the instrument again. cxen:lSllll2 they can only remain in good condition if extreme care will ensure that avoid kept clean and relatively free of dust, dirt, damage to the star machine and and tarnish. And also must be protected a visit from the paramedics. from friction and wear as they rub together during the mechanism's rotation. slip-ring maintenance involves inspection, cleaning, and lubrication, which Before 'V .... LHJ.Ui.lJ;; should be done on a schedule. And nance tec:hnLimles. depending upon wear, occasional brush tant words about Always make sure replacement may be required - a ""N..,,...~rI,,·~~ Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian head, we use LPS 1 Greaseless Lubricant (from excessive current LPS Industries), an aerosol spray lubricant draw occurred a which dries after it's exposed to air. With some point on that repeated annual motion, however, this dry circuit, perhaps lubricant does get displaced away from the due to a short-cir "contact tracks" formed by the brushes over cuit in the projec time. Because of this effect, these exposed tor - including the rings - particularly those for the fast-mov possibility of a ing Moon projector - need re-lubricating loose bit of metal every two or three months (though the ones touching two adja for slower-moving Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn cent slip-rings, or will last much longer). Nevertheless, we've shorting a ring found this dry-lubricant to be advantageous against the projec in avoiding the kind of damaging dust tor chassis. If impregnation problems inherent in the use you're having, or of grease- and oil-based products on exposed have had, a major slip-rings. electrical problem In addition to the cleaner/lubricant, you'll with one or more need some "applicators" to clean the rings star-projector cir- Figure 4 and apply the final lubricant coating. For cui ts, check the instruments like Spitz having delicate rings number on the and brushes, purchase some long-stem cot burnt wire(s) or ton swabs (available at Radio Shack). For slip corresponding rings which are more difficult to reach, you wiring terminal(s) can use a clean rag draped over the end of a against the star long, thin, flat, slightly-flexible "stick". (At projector electrical Morehead, we actually use a hacksaw blade schematic to see if whose teeth have been removed on a grind you can correlate ing wheel.) the damage with the problem you 'em a look-See experienced.) If Start by closely inspecting the slip-rings. you spot burnt in sula tion, you They should be smooth and shiny - there should be no significant pits, scored areas, or might need to get the wire(s) re- Figure 5 burned marks on the metal. Such defects indicate a lack of adequate cleaning and placed. If accessible, small nicks in the insulation can be ... £>,,,,~i ... ~,,, lubrication, improper brush tension or align (after thoroughly solvent-cleaning the area) Once you've determined that the ment, or circuit overloads. If you see any of brushes, and wiring are in these problems, the ring(s) in question will by simply applying a thin coating of silicone sealant around the damage. But it's very time to clean and lubricate them. Avoid need burnishing (which we'll cover later), "quick and approach of spray- unless they're in such bad shape that replace important not to get the silicone on the rings or brushes. ing additional lubricant onto the ment is required by trained service person brushes without cleaning them first. Over nel. While you're at it, take a look around the Next, carefully inspect the brushes. Check to make sure that none of the little spring time, oxidation of the slip-ring surfaces area to see if there are any loose particles of occurs, and particles of worn-off metal accu metal on, between, or around the slip-rings tensioned arms are distorted or bent exces sively, and that all the contacts in the group mulate. It's important to eliminate this mate or brushes. Significant amounts of loose rial, along with the old, deteriorated lubri metal is an indicator of inadequate mainte are pressing against their rings with adequate pressure. If one or more contacts appears to cant film, before applying a new co,attmL nance. This metal should be cleaned off have excessive or inadequate pressure when Simply adding more and more lubricant at before proceeding further. each maintenance will soon tum your Also check for loose wiring connections to compared with the other contacts in its group, you may need to carefully re-bend machine into a dirty, oily mess. both the slip-rings and the brushes. You can To clean and lubricate slip-ring assemblies, detect these by wiggling each wire with a those brushes' leaf-spring arms using your small needle-nose pliers and a steady hand. use a suitable applicator (cotton swab thin screwdriver or needle-nose pliers. It's cloth-wrapped stick) sprayed with your sometimes possible to fix a loose wire at a Make sure that each brush is mounted tight lyon the insulating block, and that its con cleaner/lubricant, and gently scrub the brush, but, depending on the projector, a bad surfaces - making sure to go slowly and care or broken connection at the slip-ring may tacts are riding along the center of the slip ring. Also, check to make sure that each con fully, so as not to damage the brushes or require outside intervention from the projec wiring. As you go over the rings, check your tor manufacturer or other qualified service tact itself - usually a little "button" of metal or bulge on the end of the brush arm - isn't swab or cleaning-stick often. Once the swab firm as its design may mandate removal of tip gets black and toss it away and the entire slip-ring assembly. worn excessively. If it's worn down to the point that the arm itself is nearly in contact resume your work using a fresh lubricant- Check the wiring's insulation. Is it in good sprayed swab. If a condition, or does it have any nicks or burnt with slip-ring, then that brush will need replacement (more on this later). wrapped stick, move the of your areas? Burnt insulation indicates that an against a new clean area of the cloth every 38 Planetarian Vol. No.4, December now and then, apply cleaner/lubricant, and the rings, test all of the lamp and motor scrub some more. You'll likely need to stop functions with the theater lights off before occasionally, power-up, rotate the appropri you button-up the covers. ate motion on the machine, and power The cleaning/lubrication schedule for down again, in order to reach all the areas rings depends upon a number of factors: pro around the rings. Continue cleaning and jector and slip-ring design, frequency of pro lubricating until your applicator(s) no longer jector use, and the average speed of brush turn black as you scrub. Throughout the pro contact travel over the rings during use, cess, make sure not to sling droplets of among others. John Hare advises that clean residue onto the lenses, mirrors, and other ing/lubrication should be done on Spitz optical surfaces. Since mirrors are extremely machines at least once every two to three easy to scratch, you don't want to have to years, but more often with adverse atmo clean them any more often than necessary - spheric conditions or heavy use. On the so be extra careful around them, particularly other hand, given the much larger-diameter when spraying lubricant. Covering those daily- and precession-axis slip-rings on our sensitive component areas with thin sheet Zeiss-VI (and therefore greater wear-potential plastic might help. on those brush contacts), we've found it nec Once you've cleaned the slip-rings and essary to perform a full cleaning and lube brushes - as well as the immediate area in annually, with an additional iight spray of the projector which may have accumulated lubricant at mid-year. And the even faster debris - you can spray-on a final protective spinning Zeiss Moon projector works best if film of lubricant. Again, don't let any over its rings are cleaned and lubed about once spray get onto other sensitive projector parts, every three months. and be careful not to apply excessive lubri ponents is one of the QUilckest cant. Just spray the amount needed to give your star machine into an PV1"\"'T''';'TC> the slip-ring assembly a good, protective As mentioned earlier,lack of maintenance junk. coating, but make sure to stop before the and other conditions can lead to the But as we've found, you can cleaner/lubricant builds up and starts drip and scoring of slip-rings. Minor defects of need for ping and running off the rings. Move the this sort can be corrected with minor resur corresponding instrument motion to three facing, or burnishing. John Hare suggests the to four different positions as you spray, mak use of #400-grit "wet or dry" sandpaper for ing sure to coat the ring assembly evenly. this, but cautions that it should be done After you've finished cleaning and lubri At Morehead, we've successfully used 3M's cating, it's a good idea to run each of the ScotchBrite scour pads. In both cases, it's instrument motions - one at a time - while very important to remove all the residue you watch the operation of the slip rings. from the burnishing process, as the leftover That way you can catch any problems loose flecks of metal and abrasive dust can immediately. Once you're satisfied that there lead to excessive wear and ~~~~,,~+; are no obvious mechanical difficulties with (Forum, continued from page 27) Mark ~OJnntag as possible from the school community in University Planetarium some aspect of the planetarium curriculum. Angelo State The more involvement you have from your San Angelo, Texas 76909 teaching colleagues, the better off you are likely to be during an administration-gener ated crisis. If you are in a school district planetarium, Here is the subject for the next Forum col you likely have teaching credentials that umn: establish you as a teaching professional. You are probably a member of scientific societies, Ever since the first teaching federations, and regional and over 70 years ago; plane1:artans international planetarium societies. I do not been faced with the Dfoble.Jtn see how you can be denied professional sta tus. These principles have served me well dur ing my planetarium career. I have just been lucky, and there are certainly no guar January 12. antees. Until then, a Christmas Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian SPITZ, INC. P.o. Box 198, Route 1 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 USA Tel 610.459,5200 Fax 610.459.3830 www.spitzinc.com 1999. Wildcat has outperformed high-end neous access to any Silicon Graphics systems by posting View video stream. This is t:::lI.-It:L.AaU perf benchmarks exceeding 200, and during interactive programs and Intergraph says their scalable technology quite a boon during show it can reach well beyond 1,000 CDRS-03. (Take Unfortunately, many DDRs store a look at the SpecBench link below for infor streams in proprietary formats such mation on the Viewperf graphics bench cannot easily share media with marks.) It will be interesting to follow this aters. The cost for extra storage Beginning with this issue, the various IPS committees will report the membership. In this issue we hear from the I Tech 01 Committee. - Editor Commi technology over the months ahead to see also not as ineXD42nsive as many tape Kevin how it holds up in real-world situations, but at this time. Technology in the meantime, those of us looking for real Look for a more discussion time graphics in the theater should certainly digital playback systems and a review Chair give it a closer look. available technology in upcoming editions. Renaissance Pioneer USA has recently released their first "Industrial" DVD player, the DVD Tennessee vnoo which features heat and dust resistant Digital Content Creation 615-446-1985 construction and 10,000 hour mean time http://www.dccexpo.com between failure ratings. The unit comes with [email protected] Los Angeles Convention Center, USA an RS-232 interface much like the recent +18003315706 introduction by Sony (DVP-S7000). As an aside, there are now more than 15 DVD Greetings! Effects & Animation Festival authoring systems on the market for creat http://www.digmedia.co.uk This is the first column originating from ing your own DVD based content. While the IPS Technology Committee - the first of Wembley Conference & Exhibition there are still several competing standards London, UK +44 (0) 181 994 7354 many, we hope. The technology committee for DVD-ROM formats (DVD disks designed is fairly small, but with members from to be used like CD-ROMs in your desktop Europe, Canada,Japan, and the United States. CeBIT Tradeshow computer), the format for DVD-Video is well http://www.cebit.de Our charge is to follow new developments in established. Creating DVD content is still rel Hannover, '-' .... ,'u.,,'u presentation technology and bring those atively expensive, though authoring solu findings to our colleagues. We'll be evaluat tions have dropped more than 25% in price Free Resources ing production techniques, hardware, and during 1998 (according to Post Magazine). software products. We'll also be drafting rec While DVD may be an interesting up-and ommendations that will encourage interop coming technology, many new planetarium erability among planetaria around the theaters are also investigating DDRs - Digital world Disk Recorders for both audio and video. A/V Video -Multimedia Producer We are mindful of the differences in plan DDRs come in all shapes, sizes, and etarium production philosophy and techni ranges. Some are table-top systems, others are cal sophistication of our various theaters and designed for studio racks, and some fit inside WWW classrooms. Nonetheless, our committee will existing personal computers. The essential Wildcat GraphiCS review developments in technology with an idea is that instead of recording audio and http://www.intergraph.com/ics/wHdcat eye toward enhancing the quality and effec video signals on a tape or laserdisk, the infor tiveness of our presentations - a goal we all mation is stored in a digital format on inex Specbench Viewperf measurements share. pensive hard disk drives. Most profeSSional http://www.specbench.org Our quarterly column (and monthly web caliber DDRs support standard VTR (video pages) will introduce new advances in tech tape recorder) controls and can be easily DVD nology, production hints and techniques, integrated into theater automation systems. and showcase upcoming conferences and The last few years have seen substantial http://www.pioneerusa.com trade shows that may be of interest to our advances in DDR stability and capacity. http://www.sel.sony.com members. Today's systems can support both com pressed and uncompressed video streams DVD Recent with single unit capacities exceeding twelve http://www.scenarist.com Wildcat is the name of a new graphics sys hours of AV storage. DDRs offered today are http://www.minervasys.com tem from Intergraph. The Single-slot card for also much more fault tolerant and perform Windows NT workstations was shown at as reliably as broadcast tape systems. The http://www.optibase.com this year's SIGGRAPH conference, though it primary feature of interest to many plane http://www.rnd-mpeg.philips.com won't be available until the first quarter of taria is the fact that DDRs deliver instanta- http://www.sonic.com Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian NEW! Solar System Panorama Set by ~ Panorama Set includes: • The Sun (a very active chord view) • All nine planets (separate ring for Saturn) S • The Asteroids • Earth's moon The set is shot in standard 25% overlap and comes you masked and mounted. 50% overlap sets are available for rder rom: Joe Hopkins n i Call 1-800-JHE-5960 4301 32nd Street 1 Bradenton, L ...... -....-- Rocky Mountain Planetarium Association '" Discussion concerning Phlot Affiliates not in attendance: conference reg[istJratilonJ Russian Planetarium Association that pm~$~ Southwestern Association of Planetariums insurance. Council thanked Undine (SWAP) efforts and that of her staff and eXlpre5se~d appreciation for meeting accommodations Guests: in a si te so rich in astronomical Pierre Lacombe- IPS 2000 Conference Host Phyllis Pitluga- Awards Committee Chair Written Affiliate were rp'11p1NPI~L J Jim Manning moved to accept aU 'A.U'U"~'~ The meeting was called to order at 11:45 am. Reports, seconded John Dickenson by President Thomas Kraupe. Thomas wel approved Council. In Affiliate News comed Council to the meeting and com the floor, Jim that mented on the setting which was a confer the US western affiliates (GPPA, PPA, ence room in the Library of the Royal SWAP) will be October 14-18, Astronomical Society. The Secret.ary's Report on the Minutes of the Strasbourg Meeting had been previously published in the December 1997 Planetarian. '" indicates action items Jim Manning moved to approve the min utes, seconded by Dale Smith, and approved. cussion followed on how to '''''('Al'·nAl'~1-p In attendance: regional affiliate articles into the Plti.!ne;tar:tan President Thomas W. Kraupe Shawn Laatsch presented the Treasurer's and how to make IPS more visible President Elect Dale Smith Report. Council reviewed and discussed affiliate regions. John Dickenson Past President Jim Manning specifics of the 97/98 Budget and addressed that perhaps the "VJ.'~HA.U""'.L"A" Treasurer Shawn Laatsch several items from last year which the could provide each regional with a list Secretary Lee Ann Hennig Treasurer was charged with presenting to members so the affiliates would be Council at this conference. Based on discus IPS membership in their or~~anLizaltic.ns. Affiliate Representatives: sion, Council made suggestions concerning Hare and Sue .... Qun.n'('" slLlg~~ested Association of French-Speaking Planetari the following items: representatives make affiliates aware ums- Jean-Michel Faidit for Agnes Acker through their newsletters and links Association of Mexican Planetariums 1. Armand Spitz Fund: The Treasurer IPS Website. (AMP AC)- Gabriel R. Munoz for Ignacio reiterated that this Fund is a part of the Castro Money Market Account and is not a Several and Ad Hoc Co.rrnmttee British Association of Planetariums (BAP) ation Fund- it is a member donation Fund to Reports were tabled until the June Undine Concannon be used for educational purposes. Council ME~etlng. Canadian Council of Science Centres- John '* Motion by Jim Manning: the Finance The Committee report was delivered Dickenson Committee consider for a worth- Historian John Hare. He Council of German Planetariums (RDP) while educational project to for more space was now available for Andreas Hanel for Dr. Dieter B. Herrmann eX1Jen,wture from the Armand Fund Archives at the offices of Ash I-intprnrl"p" European/Mediterranean Planetarium within the year. Seconded by Dennis the offer to move the Archives to the Association (EMPA)- Dionysios Simo Simopou!os and approved by Council. needed poulos 2. The Treasurer presented the per mem Motion Jim the IPS Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA) ber cost analysis report requested by Council be housed at the offices of Ash Enterprt:~s. Susan Reynolds last year. It will be discussed at Sunday's Seconded by Shawn Laatsch and Great Plains Planetarium Association Council session in order to give Council by Council. Discussion followed COl[1CE~rnlmg (GPPA)- John Hare for Jack Dunn Members time to study the Report. the role of the Committee and Italian Planetaria's Friends Association- Loris Jim Manning moved to approve the report, post of Historian. 'It John Dickenson suggest Ramponi seconded by Dale Smith, and approved by ed that the Historian be linked to the Japan Planetarium Society- Shoichi Itoh Council. Committee in Appendix E Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society (MAPS) statement: liThe Chair of this CO,mIDlttee Lee Ann Hennig for Laura Deines President Thomas Kraupe introduced IPS will be called the Historian." Nordic Planetarium Association (NP A)- Lars 98 Conference Chair Undine Concannon. Broman Undine reported on the status of the confer Council aallournl:~a Pacific Planetarium Association (PPA)- Jon ence registration, plans, and a review of the ness to continue on 28,1998. Elvert Conference Account Summary. Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian In attendance: The IPS publication, So You Want President Thomas W. Kraupe President Thomas Kraupe reported that sev Planetarium, is now available President Elect Dale Smith eral of the Ad Hoc Committees would be Website. Past President Jim Manning best utilized if they fell under the auspices of Treasurer Shawn Laatsch an existing committee. The following action Secretary Lee Ann Hennig was taken: .. The IPS Planetarium Pal:tners,hilPS Affiliate Representatives: Committee: objectives of this committee Association of French-Speaking Plane will now be part of the IPS Professional tariums- Jean-Michel Faidit for Agnes Services Committee. of the Morgan Jones Planetarium in 'AU'H'-.HL. Acker * The IPS Job Information Services Texas, wrote an article for the Plt:itneiw.nfan Association of Mexican Planetariums Committee: Steve Fentress will continue to reviewing a spectrometer from ",-,'-'{'H~~HJl'" (AMPAC)- Gabriel R. Munoz for Ignacio collect and dissem.inate job announcements Technologies. Jeanne continues her Castro as part of the IPS Professional Services to inform consumers and the business British Association of Planetariums (BAP) Committee. munity about the International Paul England for Undine Concannon '* The IPS Planetarium Promotion Package Registry. Shawn Laatsch that Canadian Council of Science Centres- John Committee is dissolved was some action on Dickenson International Star Registry's claims Council of German Planetariums (RDP) President Thomas Kraupe reported on behalf stars. Andreas Hanel for Dr. Dieter B. Herrmann of Chair Jack Dunn on the progress of the IPS Chair Jeanne European/Mediterranean Planetarium Lasers in Planetariums Committee. A survey gestions from the membership on prc)du.cts Association (EMPA)- Dionysios Simo of planetariums that utilize lasers is being (astronomy, or astrOJlOilV/,lst:ro poulos compiled and will assist the committee in nomical accuracy items/issues. Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA) planning its goals and objectives. Susan Reynolds President Thomas introduced Great Plains Planetarium Association (GPPA) The Language Committee was pre Dave Menke of the IPS Professional ~~rlr,_ John Hare for Jack Dunn sented on behalf of Chair Marie Radbo. Committee and he outlined his cmnrrlittlee's Italian Planetaria's Friends Association- Loris President Thomas Kraupe reported that goals for the next year. With the Job Ramponi Marie has stepped down as Chair due to mation Service coming under the UHllIJH_UU Japan Planetarium Society- Shoichi Itoh demands of her job, and that Lars Broman of this committee there should be Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society (MAPS) has accepted the chairmanship of the com focus on and dissernirlating Lee Ann Hennig for Laura Deines mittee. Discussion followed on the goals of mation on job opportunities m(:lUOlrlll Nordic Planetarium Association (NPA)- Lars the committee with suggestions such as: of jobs, internlshiips, worKsnOlOS Broman focusing on projects that would look at opportunities available. Pacific Planetarium Association (PPA)- Jon breaking down language barriers, improving The committee will document ch,anJ~es Elvert access to articles and people in the profes trends in the plc:tnetal'iUlm Rocky Mountain Planetarium Association sion, and other efforts to encourage non (RMP A)- Jim Manning for Mike Murray English speaking members to remain active Southeastern Planetarium Association in the organization. Jim Manning proposed (SEPA)- John Hare that the committee explore language related Ukrainian Planetarium Association- Vitaly issues and come up with goals and recom profession. Dave asks that you Borovyk for Dr. Alexander P. Lenin mendations to Council which identify ways tribute information to the committee in which we can improve access to people these and announcements. Affiliates not in attendance: whose language is not English. Russian Planetarium Association The Contest Committee Southwestern Association of Planetariums The Outreach Committee Report was deliv delivered on behalf of Chair Alan (SWAP) ered on behalf of Bill Gutsch. President Nine sCripts were submitted for considera Thomas Kraupe reported that the committee tion and four were chosen for the awards Guests: continues to make progress with the IAU as sponsored by the Eugenides Foundation. Jeanne Bishop-IPS Consumer Affairs/ Astrol partners on several initiatives. The three judges for the contest were: Dr. ogy Committee Chair Jim Manning reported on his efforts with the George Reed, Carrie and Marc Pierre Lacombe- IPS 2000 Conference Host Astronomy Link Project which is now fully Moutin. Dave Menke- IPS Professional Services operational. Jim is still accepting names, The winners will be announced at the Ban Committee Chair especially astronomers from other' countries, quet. Dennis Simopoulos spoke on behalf of Phyllis Pitluga-IPS Awards Committee Chair for the Project. the Eugenides Foundation sever Christophe Duwoder-RS. Automation al issues of the contest, specifically that the Peter Williamson - Canberra Planetarium President Thomas Kraupe reported that the Foundation is interested in assuring Martin George- Launceston Planetarium Planetarium. Development Group will be contest promotes an educational revitalized. Chair Ken Wilson needs mem planetarium sCript and that The meeting was called to order by President bers for this committee. Council urges any fits the Discussion cerltelred Thomas Kraupe at 10:10 a.m. in the Cam one who has knowledge, ideas, or sugges suggestions by the Committee and '-'V'UH.'-U bridge Room of the New Connaught. tions regarding planetarium construc for future script contests. tion/building to please contact Ken. Manning: Officers work with 44 Planetarian Vol. Committee revlewiru! the rules regarding sponsorship/partnership with L Outstanding service; slgml:1Gmt cOlntr'ibll du.res of the contest and to Council at planetariums that need help with dues. tion to the profession the next and that Council Chair Lars Broman of the Language Com 2. Significant impact or innovation the officers to consult with the referees in mittee will work on this aspect through his 3. Exceptional performance over accord with D, Section HID to committee. cant period of time review the recommendations of the referees to determine the awards. Seconded by Chair Tom Callen reported on the initia Phyllis urges affiliates to be aware of Shawn Laatsch and approved by Council. tives of the Web Subcommittee including teria for IPS Fellows when demonstrating the Website to Council and Chair Susan Reynolds presented the Portable reviewing the new items to be added as the will be announced at the Banquet. The Planetarium The Portable Conference progresses. President Thomas tion of how IPS keeps records Planetarium Users Handbook. is still in the Kraupe congratulated the committee on its on a yearly basis was discussed. draft stage and is expected to be ready for wonderful work at producing such an Laatsch will investigate how we can print in 1999. Chair reminds Affiliates to be impressive web page for our membership. running record of continuous m(~mbeJrship. diligent in providing names/addresses for Council reminds Affiliates to install links to portable planetariums in their regions. the IPS Website- we have links to the indi Chair April Whitt presented the PUbUcatiOIlS Council Members were supplied with a sur vidual planetarium sites also. Loris Ramponi Committee in writing since she vey to pass on to Portable Planetarians: this suggested that perhaps some of the abstracts unable to attend the conference. will enable Susan to include input from could be translated and placed on the Web Planetarian, the IPS Resource Dtl'edory, mobile planetarium users outside the U.S. page instead of printed in a publication. World~ Plane1':ariumrs. and to make the publication more interna membership brochures in several lanlguagE~s, tional. President Thomas Kraupe thanked The Elections Committee Report was read and the Web Page have kept the Committee Susan for her committee's work and urged on behalf of Chair Steve Mitch. The nomi busy this year. The committee will her to continue working with the Publi nations for offices are: diligently next year on the cations Committee to establish a budget and improving the Website, and c04::>rciinating work out details with affiliate regions for President- Elect: projects with IPS Committees. There was dis input. John Peterson, Planetarium Director cussion on alternative formats (CD ROM, El Paso Independent School District electronic file) for the IPS /Jtlrprtnr'v-t h The Technology Committee Chair Kevin El Paso, Texas USA Publications Committee will address Scott and his committee together with issue. President Thomas Kraupe and the officers John Dickenson, Managing Director are designing a survey to determine which Pacific Space Centre, Vanier Park There was no report from the technologies are in use in the planetaria. This Vancouver, British Columbia Canada Committee. survey should be sent to membership this The Finance Committee was nr,'''",-nt"_ fall. Please send any suggestions to Chair Asuncion Sanchez Justel ed in conjunction with the Treasurer's Kevin Scott and his Committee. Planetario de Madrid, Report. Ayuntamiento de Madrid Standing Committee Reports: Madrid, Spain IPS Coofe.renc~ Standing Committee Reports were pre IPS 2000 Montreal Conference Chair, Pierre sented, reviewed and discussed. Lee Ann A. Hennig, Planetarium Director Lacombe that are Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & smoothly in preparation for the 15th confer The Membership Committee/ Treasurer Technology, ence. Discussion centered on conference Chair Shawn Laatsch reported on the Alexandria, Virginia USA costs, such as: meeting venues, hotel rooms, Membership Cost Analysis Report. Con speakers, meals, transportation and strate siderable discussion focused on the need for Treasurer/Membershlp: gies for lowering these costs. The officers a dues increase based on the Report. Shawn Laatsch, Planetarium Director will work with the Host and Gary Tomlin There has been no dues increase since Arthur Store:c Planetarium son on refining the Conference Guidelines to 1983/84 despite the rising expenses of doing Prince Frederick, Maryland USA address these issues. IPS business. Printing and postage costs have been particularly high. After much debate Additional nominations may be made from President Thomas reviewed the pro- and amid several amendments to a major the floor during the Business Meeting. posed sites of the 2002 Conference motion, Council approved the following Ballots will be mailed to the membership in Council consideration. dues increase: October. Council then voted by customary secret bal ." Motion by John Dickenson: To increase IPS lot for the choice of the site of the 2002 dues effective Jan.!, 2000: The Awards Committee Report was pre Conference. The first round of votes resulted Individual Membership: $50.00/year or sented by Chair Phyllis Pitluga. She reported in two sites as the top contenders. The sec $90.00/2 years; Institutional Membership: on the efforts of the committee to more ond round of votes resulted in the .I.VA.V •• UJl'" $2OO.00/first year, $l00.00/subsequent years; clearly define criteria for the Service Award. counts: Centro de Convenciones de Morelia Libraries: $36.00/year. Discussion among the Chair and Council Morelia, Mexico- 11; Bishop Planetarium Seconded by John Hare and approved by members resulted in suggestions to be Science Center -Honolulu, Hawaii Council, the vote being: FOR- 9, AGAINST-6, included in the guidelines for committee announcement will be made at the ABSTAIN-2. Discussion followed on concern consideration: business meeting to hold the ...... ;;; .... JL .... 'U Vol. 27, No.4, December 1998 Planetarian Conference IPS in the year 2002 at the planetariums were closed. Six planetariums ward to a report of their n1"("\(Tr,'";''' Centro de Convenciones de Morelia in remain open. Vitaly thanked IPS and the months to come. NUJrt::..I..I.d, Mexico. Council expressed appreci Affiliates for helping with materials and ation for the efforts of all potential hosts for moral support. Thomas expressed his thanks With business their invitations to IPS and encouraged con for the Ukrainians' efforts to attend the con Simopoulos moved to adjjollrn sideration for application for the 2004 ference and urges Council Members and the Meeting, seconded Conference. Gabriel Munoz, Director of the membership at large to search for ways we approved Council Morelia Planetarium expressed confidence in can help the less fortunate planetariums. his country's ability to host an exciting con Respectfull y Submitted, ference in 2002. President Elect Dale Smith Thomas reviewed the status of the Lee AnnA. announced that the 1999 Council Meeting slide/video distribution efforts on behalf of IPS Secretary would be held October 17,18, in Flagstaff, STSel J ]PL, and ESA through the Affiliate October 5,1998 Arizona. Media Representatives. Conference atten dees will be able to preview an ESA hot topiC Addendum to Council Minutes Old Business video during the Conference. Thomas is working on support for the laser disc project During the General Business M~~etllllg Under Old Business, some items were dealt so that it will be available at cost to mem 29, 1998, the addition with in Committee reports. The remaining bers. of candidates for office was made: issues were either resolved or considered for For the Office of President Elect: further discussion and possible action as New Business Martin Ratcliffe reported below. Exploration Place President Thomas Kraupe introduced Peter Wichita, Kansas USA Ukrainian Planetarium Association Repre Williamson and Martin George. They re sentative Vitaly Borovyk reported on an ported on efforts to establish an Australasian update of the planetariums in his region. Planetarium Society. Peter and Martin gave a Originally the planetariums were located in brief profile of the planetariums in that area; inations was made churches with domes and were subsidized. most of them are associated with museums. by When the churches were returned to parish~ Council expressed support for their efforts in This additional candidate es, the subsidies were eliminated and the pursuing affiliation with IPS and look for- appear on the ballot for the fall election. * * * * HERCULES AND OTHER SUPERHERO STAllS! $350. THE® TRA TERRESTRIAL FILES 46 Planetarian Vol. You can still browse the IPS 98 web site and find a wealth of other nice pictures and information about this conference. To do so, go to the Events page of our IPS web site - either from the IPS Welcome Page http;li www-ips-planetarium.org - or you can go directly to http://www.ips-planetarium.o..rg1 ips-events.html . This page also includes the link to the IPS 2000 Conference web site at http://www.planetariummontreal.qc.ca IIPS20001 (Montreal, July 9 - 13 - the theme is "Planetaria at the Dawn of a New Millen IPS nium"). With both a terms We are currentJly ing forward to have an mentioned year - it will be the 1999/2000 edition. Greetings, will put us back on track for Take some time and just sit back ... and book in off-conference years relax. How do you feel about this year 1998, the Resource in conference which will come to an end in just a few days (next issue in 2000). It is - has it been successful for you? Did your electronic l-Iuuu",,,,cUI-> hopes and dreams for your planetariums compete with hard come true or did you at least achieve some almost obsolete in the thing important in your work for your plan paragraph etarium? What will you take with you as Our D"~~,,,,.a'),.., Please do note that we also keep a new concept or idea into 1999? the .u,. .u.'VIJ'_~~' ReI)Osjitol~y We rarely take that time to think about Calendar of future Events on our web site. On this page, Alan Gould keeps track of all what we have really achieved - and what lies regional and jOint conferences and events in ahead for us as the next challenge. Looking back at 1998 myself, I realize how much has our field - among them also the "Day of the Planetaria" - an event organized by the indeed happened - the splendid London con Italian Planetaria's Friends Association, ference, the string of events surrounding the 75th anniversary of the planetarium - and a which reaches out across borders into the whole IPS community. new generation of planetarium projects in We encourage all organizers of confer the making, ready to explore the challenges of Digital All-Dome Projection systems. ences to communicate with Alan at ~'!..ill.~ uclink4.berkeley.edu. Please provide him Many IPS members and IPS officials have with the latest information about future been working very hard to shape these conference dates and use this calendar for developments. In this message I like to working out dates for joint conferences and inform you about the aspects IPS has been also to avoid conflicts between conferences. working on recently - and what will be in Reflecting recent comments about this the works for our membership in the next '-UJ'U'-.L~'."'" via our issue, I like to add that IPS can in no way few months. Shawn Laatsch is necessary - also, any . engage itself in negotiating regional confer ment will be handled him. ence dates - it is entirely up to each region We are aware that in the rI.."AT ..... ;i."n when they want to hold' their conference, commerce, we have to The IPS 98 Conference in London is still and in their decision making they usually the most talked about event among those using secure transactions via Internet have to factor in many aspects within their credit cards in the future (also for payment who attended Whoever doubted the useful own membership group. This cannot be of membership dues). This ness of IPS growing up to a truly internation handled by IPS - but certainly we are encour al organization was finally convinced other access to IPS services much easier for aging every region to communicate with temational members and dr;:l.m,ati(:allly wise - our family is global in nature and we "their neighbors" about future conference up the procedures. Let us find out in 1999. benefit a lot by looking at our universe with dates (and Alan's Calendar is our offer Well, there is more news for the many eyes of the different cultures on towards that end). who think we can do more for our ~H'_HAU'-" our planet. To give you just one example - In this issue of our journal you will also ship! Conference will be the stunning presentation of educational find the minutes of the Council meeting material developed by our colleague, Mr. into official IPS Publications - HA'-.Ul.H.... "" which we held prior to the actual confer all IPS members will receive the retJrilLlts Min at the Planetarium at the Shanghai ence. Please read them carefully and in case Children's Place. talks and presentations given at the IPS Vol. No.4, December 1998 Planetarian ference. As a first step, all of you - not just This is only for text submitted within the tunities (search for a name - check those who attended - will receive a copy of body of an email message or as generic ASCII etc.). London's IPS'98 Conference Proceedings files (either on disk or as files attached to Another area where electronic publi:shing (these should be in the mail when you read email). There is no need to do this for format will be most useful is fJUVH"U'".UjI; this). Along with my fellow officers - and our ted files (either on disk or as files attached to language versions of articles (or ""v,~"' ... nrc incoming President Dale Smith in particular email) that he can translate, such as Micro abstracts of those) - both from our - I believe that this is an important step soft Word documents, since they retain their like the Japanese towards wider circulation and greater formatting. It would be nice if this became magazines and related conference impact of new ideas presented on such occa an industry-wide standard as it would clear ings. In the future - with much ;TY\.,.,.,.,~u<,rl sions. up confusion and save people from having translation software, you You can expect that beginning with the to invent their own codes. able to do translations via Montreal IPS conference in 2000, we will Thanks for helping John -and IPS - by fol and search like Alta Vista. even have a coherent format and design for lowing this convention. Broman, chair of the IPS ...... '. 48 Planetarian Vol. throughout the US - it may even show that a Speaking about ESO and the available now IPS Media Reps in Europe have received centralized distribution by IPS with large VL T-images for IPS - if you have access to the the latest ESA video releases as broadcast quantities of copies is easier and less expen Internet, you can already download them, newsletters. However, copying and distribut sive than keeping the current system with and - as long as you give credits to ESO -have ing each of the available PAL-bits and many Media Reps in place - at least in some the approval to use them in a non-profit way separately to all our IPS members would be regions of this planet. in your planetarium theater. In order to do very difficult and even less useful for the To complement what Jeff will be doing so, go to the "VL T Information" web area at majority using NTSC. Therefore we prE~paJred for the US,Johan Gijsenberg at the Artis Plan the ESO Outreach site, which has been re a solution which will allow most of us to etarium in Amsterdam volunteered to help organized. It now includes, among others, a access and use many sequences in a flexible regional Media Reps and IPS members with page dedicated to astronomical images from way: The fist IPS Laserdisk/Videodisk based in Europe (maybe even beyond) to access the VL T and it has become easier to naVigate on the 1997/1998 releases. copies of the slides - in particular those IPS between the various pages. The original URL It will be a NTSC-Laserdisk, because this members who are not yet part of an affiliat is: http://www.eso.org/ outreach/info-even ts/ seems to be the standard that evolved due to edgroup. utlfl/. the fact that most planetarium-related Such additional help will be especially use Many thanks to Dr. Richard West and sequences are in that format and hence most ful when dealing with images, which we will Elisabeth Voelk at ESO's Education & Public planetariums use a compatible LDP. I did not receive as hard copies, but only in digital Relations Department in Garching for their explain this already in earlier messages and form, such as the breathtaking images of support. even showed a preview tape during the IPS European Southern Observatory's "Very It was indeed an important sign of com conference. In fact, I had expected that we Large Telescope" (VLT) and a "Best-Of' selec mitment that we had official videotaped will have the disk ready by about Octo tion of ROSAT X-ray images. welcome messages from the prominent ESO ber/November - however, since I needed to I do want to thank Johan and Jeff, two astronomer Dr. West and from Dr. Roger go back to ESA and ask again for copies from highly experienced planetarium producers, Bonnet, Scientific Director of ESA - messages the digital master to ensure the best possible for volunteering here and offering the IPS directed to all of us during the opening ses quality, by the time you read this, the pro community their help. Both will give you sion of the London IPS Conference. ject might not be fully completed yet, but details about the specifics shortly. I expect We are very pleased to see that both ESO will be in its final phase. I assure you that I that their involvement will give us the man and ESA understand the importance of plan will complete it - even if it will need a few power to be able to inform all of you simul etariums for promoting astronomy/space more weeks. Please consult our web site to taneously about newly available images via sciences and agreed to support us actively find out more about the status of the project. our web site and/or via email. through their materials. For several months The plan is, to also produce a version on DVD in order to test new lC .... U.11V.Ve:, ..... " extended database will allow you UV'!-''-.L ...... ) with the support ofESA. and hence communicate with plane'tarilunls I believe this to be a step similar eql1ipme:nt, forward for us but it is just a first step.... want to evaluate before A few ago, Martin Ratcliffe and I each received four Betacam (NTSC) from Anita Sohus of JPL. Each tape includes up to You may wonder what certain commit more than one hour of video Lv'.n""" .... tees are but be aware that we JPL Mars Pathfinder & Global 1..:11~·""" 50 Planetarian Vol. OUtreach Committee Dr. William Gutsch, Chair (1) 207-581-1341 25 The Crossway Dr. Dav.id Menke, Chair (1) 207-581-1314 Smoke Rise Buehler Planetarium and Science Center [email protected] Kinnelon, 07405 USA Broward COJmnlurlitv (1) 201-492-8165 tel! fax 3501 SW Davie Road Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314 USA (1) (1) 954-475-6681 main office Ken Wilson, Chair (1) 954-475-2858 fax 516 Universe Planetarium [email protected] Atlanta, Science Museum of (1) 404-873-4971 2500 West Broad Street IPS Information Service (Su.OC()m:mi1!:tee Richmond, Virginia 23220 USA of the Professional ~.".,..",; ... '''''' Comllnittee) (1) 804-367 -6318 Steve Fentress, Chair (1) 804-367-9348 fax :)tr,asenDurg:n Planetarium [email protected] Rochester Museum & Science Center 657 East Avenue P.O. Box 1480 IPS Portable Planetarium Committee Rochester, New York 14603 USA Sue Reynolds, Chair (1) 716-271-4320 Starlab Planetarium (1) 716-271-5935 fax Onc::mdlaga-Colrtland-Ma1disc)fl BOCES P.O. Box 4754 Syracuse, New York 13221 USA (1) 315-433-2671 n·"ro.,..," .. v ... ~+ Chair (1) 315-432-4523 fax 1\/I~un~1"" F.Jordan Planetarium T.... h,,,,... ,·;+,, of Maine 2nd Floor, 5781 Hall achievements, many little steps which the Summer School, Next Generation Plane ent narrative to ensure a team of IPS Officers has indeed achieved - tarium Initiative in preparation) tinuity of space and time for our more than that - these achievements have • Revision of procedures for hosting future may face here similar '-H'''U'~U}~'''':> been the result of communications with IPS conferences (with the help of Gary ators of IMAX-movies and '<11"1'-'-":::1 many people who have worked very hard Tomlinson) towards bigger goals. It Increasing the awareness of IPS/Bridges Happy enough - we now have email and built to other organizations - including almost every day we exchanged a flurry of those of the Leisure & Entertainment messages - between half a dozen and a dozen Industry (Max-Planck-Society /Institutes, messages. I was curious and looked at my IPS ESO, ESA, EAAE, Planetary SOciety, TiLE, filing cabinet for 1997-1998 - I count up a ILDA) total of 3,000 (incoming plus outgoing) • Further Steps towards Internationali time at our planetariurns). emails. You can imagine how much "behind zation of IPS of (setting the stage for new create various means of communication the scenes" work that meant - and it was affiliations - e.g. of the Austral-Asian exchange between IPS and other or~~arliz,:l. worth while because I had the opportunity Planetarium Association) tions and the i ..... rl,,",hon to work with the finest people in our profes My are - as are my sion - with my team of fellow officers Jim In addition to that it appears that I have tions for the next few years, because Manning (whom IPS and myself owe a lot personally promoted some native Bavarian be in very hands. Our new D.,.c,drl""r. and whom we all will miss in the new team habits to the planetarium world - more and Dale Smith of IPS officers), President Elect Dale Smith, more planetarians seem to become addicted eXr)erilences to this office - but even Executive Secretary Lee Ann Hennig, to Bavarian Weissbier (a cloudy brew with is a person with a great sense of Treasurer!Membership Chair Shawn Laatsch, yeast - very healthy, probably good for all of eager to absorb new facets of our prc)fes;sio>n the members of the IPS Council, the Com you who want to walk in John Glenn's from many different parts of our mittee members and Editors (with John shoes). Maybe this will be the one item by fact all non-US IPS members can be sure Mosley in particular for his outstanding and which I will "go down in IPS history" - who Dale will be very sensitive to cultural patient work on our journal Planetarian) and knows? Only time will tell ... It is indeed the ences and different needs for each all of you who have left their imprints as cre long-term effect of our actions which will be will continue to have a very international ative and inspiring planetarians in our field. important. person as IPS President - he has Thank you to all of you, who all together Hence, what will be the challenges for us track record for with me made a difference and advanced our in the future? Is the road for planetariums field for the benefit of millions of visitors to divided? Will we have to diversify and fill planetarium theaters around the world niches -or will we manage to become centers The work as IPS President is indeed team for edutainment, both for education and work - and I think the "Triumvirate" of the leisure? What will be the impact of interac Presidents (Past-Current-Elect) is an excellent tive medias at home on our future? feature to ensure continuity and is very help Shouldn't we take care more about the social ful to make long-term initiatives finally factor of a planetarium visit - rather than the America to """-"1"1('11"\0::>1-0 work. During my term as IPS President many technological one? conferences. projects originally initiated by Jim Manning Let us work together for a renewed sense I will be here to support him - - or still even Bill Gutsch - during their terms and sensibility of our planetarium environ our incoming new team-mate, the new were finally brought to fruition. Several new ment. President Elect initiatives were launched too - but you will Lets do everything we can to raise our pro Fellow let me raise a only see their impact in future years. duction standards - and do not misunder Weissbier towards our new President If you ask me for a breakdown list of items stand me, this is possible also in theaters who exciting future of our international which could listed as achievements or initia do not have the big bucks, since all comes Prost - and a salute to you under the tives during my preSidency, I would list the down to the creative potential of the pro domes and thank you once more for following: duction team - the staff. me to serve you! In the future I do hope to see an even • New IPS Web site and Initiative for Web more poetical, metaphoriC use of the 1 the way - there is a new website you publication tarium with more creative minds involved may want to check out: liThe Hubble • Reconfiguration of Databases (merging who inspire people rather than deposit tage Project" which was launched October database under FileMaker - foundation for heavyweight chunks of information into 21. You can access it at: ~~'-l-1-.c~~~.!=o .regular updates of IPS Planetarium and their shows. To that end I think it ought to .stsci.edu/public/index.html Resources Directories) be important that we indeed take some time, Ongoing Survey of Planetariums (base for sit back, and think about what we are doing future Initiatives in Media Dissemination and why. Are we paying enough attention to and Technologies) how human brains are able to process and Extension of Media Service beyond slides understand audiovisual perceptions? I do (First IPS Videodisk/VHS-Tape Digest with not recall that there has been any talk at any ESA Material ready to go and more conference I have been to, which discussed disks/tapes with NASAIJPL material in that challenge we all are facing - namely the preparation) new aesthetics and artistic flow of visuals in • Initiatives towards teaching new plane tar an immersive environment. ians and Professional Service (IPS-PSC, IPS All-dome projections require a very differ- 52 Planetarian Vol. No.4, December According to this announcement from Memphis, a description of typical conditions is as follows: "Majority of work is performed in an office environment and in would be "Must like the Planetarium, including dim lighting and high volume levels. Some offsite work is required including outdoor, visual astrono my programs." Minimum qualifications are then described: Bachelor's Degree in Astronomy related Science, several years planetarium experience, and a valid Tennessee driver's license"[!!!] What does a planetarian do, anyway? It looks as if a planetarian is part chauffeur, Perhaps a notice of a job opening at a plane part financial wizard, part public speaker, tarium will give us the answer. If an appli part organizer, part writer, part computer cant can gain the approval of the hiring folks programmer, part artist, past equipment at the Pink Palace museum in Memphis, technician, part public relations expert, and Tenn., he: "Works under the general supervi part personnel manager! Did I leave anything mer is that sion of the Theaters Manager; responsible for out? summer. The other the administration, supervision and fiscal As a planetarian, yes, I see as most of the teacher, who management of the Sharpe Planetarium of those "parts" above (with the exception of this fact to operation, including: preparing and imple chauffeur). Since the job of a planetarian is so I've got my work cut out for me; menting the City and Memphis Museums, many parts of many jobs, I often have a hard started Incorporated (private funds) budgets and time comparing myself to someone in strategic plans; submitting for review and another job or profession. We !-'"A.U'-U.Uuu,,,> approval budgets to the Theaters Manager; are unique in this respect. However, when I -In response to an announcement try to think of a non-planetarian whose developing policies and procedures for the Kho~ ~ Sharpe Planetarium section; planning and closely parallels mine, I keep coming up with Chandler, 1-'1Qll!C;lctJ;lct.U overseeing all Planetarium productions; pro the same name: the actress Carol '-'U~UH.u.Lt".. ducing Planetarium programs which include Now, I don't look like Carol Channing; writing the scripts, programming shows on that's not it. But if you study Carol Chan the automation system, selecting music, nar ning's career, you find that many years ago, rators, illustrations and other special effects, she had a role in a musical show, and she has to store and presenting programs by operating pro turned that role into a career. The show is third was the athletic director, jector equipment when required; acting as Hello, Dolly, and according to information on for the principal staff resource for all exhibits her web page on the Internet, she has and activities related to space science and the role of "Dolly" in the over 4000 astronomy, including coordinating with the times ! You can even book her her media; supervising fiscal management of the web page to come to your community to do Planetarium's telescopiC equipment; plan the play! ning and coordinating marketing and public To understand why someone would relations activities with the Museum's Public a role 4000+ times, consider the Affairs section in order to promote Plane story: a famous British character actor was tarium activities; and overseeing the daily getting ready to retire from the theatre. His activities of assigned staff, such as providing career in the theatre involved lots of Pole! training, work direction aSSignment of butlers and secondary roles. An interviewer duties, and evaluation of work performance approached him and asked him to character- (including disciplinary action)." ize his life in the theater, to Typical physical demands of this job are: great insight into the long and fruitful career. "Requires written and verbal communica The actor said simply: life in the the tion skills. Requires the use of personal com ater? Show up, say the lines, take the money puter and telephone. Requires sufficient and go home!" Carol Channing shows up, mobility to perform duties both in the says the lines, takes the money and goes Planetarium and during outdoor observing horne. sessions such as bending, stooping, and Do you see where I'm going with this? Do climbing step stools and ladders. Requires the you see why I relate to Ms. Channing? By ability to operate audiovisual and telescopic actual count, I have done a planetarium les eql1ipm€~nt and to lift objects weighing up to son on "Reasons for the Seasons" 1322 times! 50 Ibs. Requires the ability to operate an As I read the Memphis announcement automobile to perform offsite work. re above, I imagined writing a realistic "job quire occasional overnight travel for astron opening" description for my planetarium. omy." One major thing was left out, which I would Planetarian Creating a new planetarium for the next century was easy. It only took best of the world's most advanced Whether it is the drama of space exploration, the mysteries of quasars and black holes or the of the night sky, Minolta planetariums have the greatest audience impact. Long recognized for its advanced optical and mechanical craftsmanship, Minolta is now the world leader in integrating the ~ latest imaging and presentation technologies. Today, Minolta offers full-dome laser om graphics, all-sky computer imagery, giant-screen motion pictures, and the most accurate and realistic recreation of the night sky. By pioneering the integration of these "cyber-dome" ~ technologies, Minolta has redefined the planetarium for the 21 st Century. If you are planning a new MINOLTA space theatre or updating an existing facility, please contact your nearest Minolta representative North America: MEGA systems, Inc. 435 Devon Park Drive, The 500 Building,Wayne, PA 19087, U.S.A.Tel: +1-610-225-7200 Fax:+1-61 0-225-7258 Web site( http://www.870.com > Minolta Planetarium U.S.Office101 Williams Drive Ramsey, NJ 07446, U.S.A. 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 Co., ltd. 2-30, Toyotsu cho, Suita, Osaka 564, Japan Tel:(81)6-386-2050 Fax:(81)6-386-2027 ONLY FROM THE MIND OF MINOLT A ANNOUNCING STAR RIDER W komc to the next models. (\Imost 30 rear:. of experience has made us dirnl'llsion in dome ('xpcrls at imag(' generation \('dmolog), ,lIld d:llabase presellt,lIion SYS(CIllS. erc.lt iOIl. [\ 's :I]SO allowed us \0 make St.1r Rider technology St.lrRidcr" from [v.ms & ll\UTe open, so you Gin integrate video. slides .mel Digist.lf I[ Su thcrhllld gives you the ability to show full-domed. ckmcll\s into your show. You can e\'en ere,lte j'OUT own full -color, fully itlleracliv{' 3· D environments in }'Ollf models using popul;u software tools like MultiGen and l'xisting dome facility. This nU'Jm your ,Illdicnce isn't Photoshop. [n short, SlarRider i~ ewrythi ng you could ;mt learning "bout the universe, they're cxploring it- W.Ult in a domc presentation .),Slcl11, and like nothing in TI.'.ll-time vi.1 Evans & Su therland image gClll'ratof:., )'ou'n' ('vcr seen bcforl'. sc.unlcssly via Ev;ms & Suthcrl.md projcclOrs. and For more information, illll11crsivdy via Evans & Su thcrl.md cuStom and <.'xi:. ting call 801 -588-1000. EVANS & SUTHERLAND