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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

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

Orion and Taurus*

FALL 2009 CLASS OR GROUP PLANETARIUM SHOW INFORMATION

Welcome back to fall semester! David Williams retired this past May after giving us five great years of shows.

ANETTE LEE joins us as the "new" Planetarium Director. She will be a great asset to this program.

Annette will schedule shows on any Thursday when classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters.

Shows can be scheduled between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM during the semester dates; shows are 50 minutes in length.

Currently we have the following show themes to choose from:

  1. Motions of the Earth (3rd grade on up) : 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. .

  2. Monster of the Milky Way: 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.

  4. 400 Years of Telescopic Discovery, from Galileo to the Present (suitable for 3rd grade and up): This show introduces different telescopic discoveries from the time of Galileo to the current time.  Topics such as the Solar System, the Formation of Stars, Galaxies, and the Big Bang are presented.  This presentation is for 25 minutes.  Following this presentation, the current night sky is shown with constellations and stories.

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 such as Scout troops, church organizations, etc., by appointment.

Required groups sizes are from a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 60 people (fire code maximum). Groups Larger than 60 will have to set up two show times. Approximate length of the show is 50 minutes.

Daytime show reservations can be made on a THURSDAY and show times can be scheduled between 9 AM to 4 PM. Availability follows the semester's dates listed below.

  • Fall 2009 semester dates: Reservations can be made beginning Thursday, August 27, 2009 and shows can be provided through Thursday, December 10, 2009.
  • Spring 2010 semester dates: Reservations can be made beginning Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and shows can be provided through Thursday, April 29, 2010.

Evening show reservations for the extra-curricular groups scout troops, church groups, etc. can be scheduled for any Thursday evening between 6 PM and 8 PM during the semester .


NOTE: We CANNOT schedule any "class or group" shows during the week(s) of Astronomy Public Nights. For more information about Astronomy Public Nights click planetarium_public.

For driving directions click HERE

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

 

To Schedule a Reservation:

If you are interested in scheduling a show for your class or group, please click here

(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 Thursday for daytime shows. Evening shows are offered on Thursday evenings during the semester AND we CANNOT schedule shows during Astronomy Public Nights.
  • 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 =

(Sorry, but we are unable to offer shows during the summer, durng school breaks or final exam weeks.)

You can expect a confirmation within the next few days.

David Williams, past Planetarium Director

Starry Night