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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Department of Physics, Astronomy & Engineering Science Department of Physics, Astronomy & Engineering Science
 
 

OUR NEXT AVAILABLE SHOW DATE IS AUGUST 26, 2008!

Orion and TaurusPurple Chronos
   

To see the planetarium renovation please click here http://web.stcloudstate.edu/dlwilliams/Planetarium%20Renovation.htm

 

DRIVING DIRECTIONS - click here Directions to the planetarium

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This next portion of this page is for your use in preparing for and scheduling planetarium presentations. It includes:

School Teacher's Guide: (You will need to read all information on this page to have all the information you need to give us to set up your tour.)

NO SUMMER SHOWS AVAILABLE! WE WILL BEGIN TAKING RESERVATIONS AUGUST 26, 2008!

Planning and Arranging For a Presentation

The planetarium presentations are at no cost and are available to all K-12 schools, and extra-curricular groups like the Scout troops, church organizations, etc., by appointment. Groups sizes are from a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 60 people (60 is the fire code limit). Groups Larger than 60 will have to be split into smaller sections. Approximate length of the show is 50 minutes. There is NO fee.

Show dates availability follow the same dates as the semester's dates listed below.Reservations can be made on a TUESDAY or a THURSDAY and show times can be scheduled between 9 AM to 3 PM. One evening a week will be set aside for the extra-curricular groups on either a Monday or Thursday evening.

NO SUMMER SHOWS.

Fall 2008: Reservations can be made beginning Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and shows can be provided through Thursday, December 12, 2008.

Spring 2009: Reservations can be made beginning Tuesday, January 13, 2009 and shows can be provided through Thursday, April 30, 2009.

NOTE: We are not available to do any "class or group" shows during the Summer and during the weeks of Astronomy Public Nights. For more information about Astronomy Public Nights click planetarium_public.

 

2008-2009 PLANETARIUM SHOW INFORMATION

Currently we have the following show themes to choose from:

  1. Motions of the Earth: Learn about the motions of the Earth (approximately 10 minutes) and then, for the remainder of the time, learn about the current night sky. On a clear night you can go outside and view what you learned in the planetarium during your show. 3rd grade on up.

  2. Black Holes: This show is usually reserved for students at the 5th grade or above due to level of concepts presented.

    View a short movie on black holes, starring Stella and her friend Irving. Following the movie, a review of the night sky and constellations with the locations of known black holes will be given with the star projector. Some preliminary terms need to be discussed with your students prior to the show.  Please download these terms by clicking this link: Definitions for Black Hole video

  3. Solar System: This presentation is for all ages and is given at the grade level for your students or group. View a descriptive journey through the solar system. This includes the use of the Chronos projector, slides, and auxiliary projectors describing the planets. Following this journey we will see the current night sky with the positions of the planets.  This will include constellations and stories about the constellations.

If you are interested in scheduling a show for your class or group, please click here, (NO SUMMER SHOWS AVAILABLE) this "should" open an email for you to complete the information required to schedule your show. If that does not work, send the required information listed below to planetarium@stcloudstate.edu:

  • Name of Show Requested =
  • Date Requested = Please give several options since your first request may be already taken. Remember: Requests must be a Tuesday or a Thursday for daytime shows. Evening shows are offered on a Monday or a Thursday evening.
  • Time Requested = Please give several options since your first request may be already take.
  • Number Attending =
  • Age or Grade of Participants =
  • Name of Group or organization =
  • Name of Contact Person =
  • Phone number or Email =

You can expect a confirmation within the next few days.

Starry Night

School Teacher's Guide for the General Solar System Show

Planetarium presentations usually follow a general astronomy outline, including:

  • facts about planets in our solar system
  • telescope introduction
  • constellation tour of the sky

 

This outline can be modified to fit a group's particular need or background. Other topics that can and have been included are:

  • indepth look at the solar system
  • different cultural legends/wisdom stories about constellations
  • objects in outer space

The choice of topics is only limited by your interest and amount of advance warning to the presentors. You can let Linette know your group's interests when you schedule a presentation.