Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the newsgroup sci.astro.planetarium, and planetaria in general. This list is posted to the USENET newsgroup sci.astro.planetarium on an irregular basis. The FAQ is currently maintained by Mark C. Petersen of Loch Ness Productions. The latest version of this FAQ on the World Wide Web (in HTML and text form) can be found in the Reference Library section of the Loch Ness Productions Web Site: http://www.lochnessproductions.com.
The newsgroup was inaugurated in August 1993, primarily through the work of Davin Flateau. The first version of the FAQ was also created by Davin at the time.
sci.astro.planetarium will be a newsgroup that provides a common forum for patrons of planetaria, planetarium professionals, planetarium audio-visual developers, and anyone interested in astronomy education to come and exchange their ideas, news, and calendar events. Major topics of discussion that this newsgroup will cover include:
The sci.astro.planetarium newsgroup was created in August 1993 for the exchange of electronic communication concerning planetaria (the accepted plural of planetarium) and planetarium-related topics among planetarium professionals (often referred to as "planetarians") and interested members of the general public.
The newsgroup is in the sci.astro hierarchy, and of course, the vast majority of planetaria and planetarians are actively involved in the dissemination of astronomy information. However, articles which are astronomy-related -- but don't specifically involve the domed theaters called planetaria -- may be more appropriate for posting in other newsgroups. Topics such as: announcements of non-planetarium star parties; blue Moons, eclipses, occultations and comet observations; space shuttle launches; NASA press releases -- while assuredly of interest to some planetarians -- would more naturally be expected in sci.astro.amateur, sci.astro, sci.space.shuttle, and sci.space.news respectively. Most planetarians interested in such topics actively scan those newsgroups as well, so cross-postings are usually unnecessary.
The sci.astro FAQ can be found at http://sciastro.astronomy.net
Traditionally, the word "planetarium" has referred specifically to a device used to display the apparent motions in the sky of celestial objects -- the stars, Sun, Moon, planets, etc. These days, the planetarium device itself is commonly called a "star projector", and is located within a domed enclosure; most have theater seats installed. What is most often referred to as a "planetarium" today is the combination of the projector, the domed enclosure, the building which houses it -- and sometimes the institution operating it.
All planetaria are designed to project images of stars. To do that, most have a light source inside a ball, which shines through pinholes -- either drilled in the ball, or etched in photographic plates. From the simplest toy star projector you can purchase at science stores to the largest, most expensive optical instruments available, the concept is basically the same. With the advent of fulldome video technology, computer graphics and video can be displayed on the dome -- either using a single video projector with a fisheye lens at the center of the room, or multiple edge-blended video projectors located around the periphery of the dome.
Projecting the images onto a hemispherical surface is essential for creating a realistic night sky. Many planetarium domes are constructed from perforated aluminum panels (sometimes plaster or fabric) and permanently mounted above theater-style seats. Some planetaria use a portable star projector set up inside an opaque canvas "balloon", inflated by fans, into which people can crawl to see the show.
Most planetarium Web sites have posted pictures of their projectors. For a more general illustrated answer to this question, point your Web browser to Morrison Planetarium's Web site at http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium.
There are computer software programs which display a representation of the sky in "planetarium" mode; sometimes the program itself is called a planetarium. Using the definition of "a device to display motions of celestial objects", that might qualify -- but such software could more accurately be called sky simulation programs.
In other words, you can look down at a computer monitor and use sky simulation programs in "planetarium" mode -- to print star charts, plot orbits, calculate eclipses, etc. And you can GO TO THE PLANETARIUM and look up, to take in the surround sight and sound experiences it can offer. The dome is the defining difference.
Being basically darkened theaters with seats and projectors, virtually all planetaria present programs or shows to audiences. Naturally, with a starry night sky overhead, astronomy tends to dominate the topics of presentation. Planetarium programs will probably differ greatly from one theater to the next, depending upon the planetarium's mission, capabilities, staffing, and other factors. Still, the primary mission for most planetaria is to enlighten its audiences about astronomy, space, and the beauty of the night sky. Many space scientists, astronomers, physicists and astronauts attribute their local planetarium visits in their youth as inspiration for their careers.
In its earliest form, the planetarium show consisted of a demonstration of the star projector's capabilities -- diurnal and annual motion, precession, constellation depiction, etc. At some planetaria, that is still the only type of presentation offered. The stereotype of the planetarian as a "learned astronomer" -- wearing narrow tie, spectacles and lab coat, lecturing audiences with green-arrow pointer in hand -- endures to this day.
Since most planetaria are located in or associated with educational institutions, many presentations are of a strictly educational nature, designed for school or university classes, with public programs an extension of those offerings.
With the advent of modern audio-visual technology, many planetaria have incorporated multi-media elements in their programs. Computerized automation systems controlling banks of slide projectors, special effects projectors, video projectors, lasers, and recorded soundtracks with multi-channel audio, celebrity narrators and original music -- all can combine to create dynamic and exciting presentations.
Given its theater equipment, many planetarians use their facilities for non-astronomical presentations as well, such as laser light shows, concerts and plays.
Besides their role as important disseminators of astronomy and space exploration information, planetarium programs can offer to visitors the chance to explore the universe in a unique, inspirational environment -- an special, enriching experience well out of the norm of daily human existence.
There are nearly 1500 planetaria in the United States, and more than 1500 in other countries around the world. In the U. S., over half of these are located in schools, or are school district facilities; most are used for classroom instruction and are not otherwise open to the general public. Of the remainder, about one-third are in colleges or universities; more of these offer public programs. The rest are in museums, science centers, or are associated with an observatory or other independent organization. These are usually the biggest theaters; hence they have the largest attendance, and of course offer the widest variety of programs to the general public.
Most major metropolitan areas have a public planetarium. Check the phone book Yellow Pages, under "Planetariums". Ask your town's tourist or traveler information center; they should have information about interesting places to visit.
Both {Sky and Telescope} and {Astronomy} magazines annually publish comprehensive lists of planetaria, astronomy clubs and resources. These are available on the Web at http://www.skyandtelescope.com and http://www.astronomy.com respectively.
Loch Ness Productions, a planetarium show production company, publishes a directory of the world's planetaria, called the LNP Dome Theater Compendium. On the Web, LNP publishes a subset of that data, listing more than 500 facilities which have Loch Ness Productions shows. Point your Web browser to http://www.lochnessproductions.com/index2.html and select the "Links" button. You'll also find an: extensive list of Planetarium and Planetarium-related Web sites.
The following list is excerpted from THE LNP DOME THEATER COMPENDIUM, published by Loch Ness Productions http://www.lochnessproductions.com
EVANS AND SUTHERLAND CORP.
600 Komas Drive, Bldg. #770
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
(801) 588-7405
(801) 588-4520 fax
http://www.es.com
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GOTO INC
4-16 Yazaki-cho
Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183
JAPAN
+81 423 362 5312
+81 423 361 9571 fax
2832421 GOTOPT J Telex
http://www.goto.co.jp/index-e.html
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KONICA MINOLTA Planetarium Co., Ltd.
2-30 Toyotsu-cho
Suita-shi, Osaka 564
JAPAN
+81 6 386 2050
+81 6 386 2027 fax
http://konicaminolta.com/kmpl
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SPITZ Inc.
P.O. Box 198, U. S. Route 1
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
(610) 459-5200
(610) 459-3830 FAX
(800) 639-1482 toll-free
http://www.spitzinc.com
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SKY-SKAN
51 Lake Street
Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 880-8500
(603) 882-6522 FAX
(800) 880-8500 toll-free
http://www.skyskan.com
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CARL ZEISS Jena GmbH
Tatzendpromenade 1a
Postfach 125
D-07745 Jena
GERMANY
+49 3641 64 2406
+49 3641 64 3023 fax
http://www.zeiss.de
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RSA COSMOS
ZI de la Vaure
42290 Sorbiers
FRANCE
+33 477 53 30 48
+33 477 53 38 61 fax
http://www.rsacosmos.com
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STARLAB Planetarium Systems
Learning Technologies Inc.
40 Cameron Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144-2404
(800) 537-8703 toll-free
(617) 628-8606 fax
http://www.starlab.com
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USED PROJECTION EQUIPMENT:
ASH Enterprises Int'l. Inc.
1221 Stanhope Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23227
(804) 264-8888
(804) 266-7966 fax
http://www.ash-enterprises.com
Rather than go into depth here, there is a good illustrated history of the planetarium on the Web. Visit Morrison Planetarium's Web site at http://www.calacademy.org/planetarium.
The International Planetarium Society is the largest single organization of planetarians, comprised of individuals and institutions from around the world. It offers biennial conferences and publications for its membership, including a quarterly journal, "Planetarian". Point your Web browser to http://www.ips-planetarium.org for more information.
Other "regional" planetarium organizations cover various geographic areas of the globe, and like IPS, hold conventions and produce publications. Most are affiliated with IPS, though many have existed as independent entities predating the formation of IPS. Officers are usually volunteers in these organizations, and maintain no permanent offices. Web pages for individual organizations are your best source for further information.
DOME-L is a listserv about planetarium concerns, similar in content to the sci.astro.planetarium newsgroup. Unlike s.a.p., DOME-L is a moderated list, so only approved subscribers may post to it.
The stated purpose of DOME-L is "to foster more rapid communication among the members of the planetarium community and to encourage discussions of a timely nature among the participants gathered on this list."
Requests for subscriptions will be forwarded to the listowner for approval. Further information can be found at http://www.planetarium.net/dome-l.
FULLDOME is a private group for members of the planetarium community interested in fulldome video technology. Discussion topics will be limited to aspects of the planetarium medium directly related to fulldome imaging, aesthetics, and technology. This group is intended as a supplement to other planetarium discussion groups, including DOME-L and the Digistar Users Group mailing list.
Requests for subscriptions will be forwarded to the listowner for approval. Further information can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fulldome.
Planetaria are often confused with other facilities. Although the word sounds similar, there are no plants -- just planets -- in the realm of the planetarium.
Because both have domes and deal with astronomy, a planetarium is sometimes confused with an observatory. Planetaria are theaters which simulate the night sky (and even daytime skies depending on their projection capabilities). The dome doesn't open; it's just a projection screen which the planetarium uses to project the star images on the dome. If a planetarium has any telescopes, they're probably stored in a closet; they're often set up outside in the parking lot for observing sessions after the planetarium show is over. Some planetaria also operate or are associated with observatories, and simply send planetarium audiences to the observatory for telescope viewing.
To recreate a night-time environment, the planetarium theater has to be dark, and hearing strange voices and music in darkness can be very scary to young children, no matter how often they are reassured. "Scary" results in screaming or crying; very disruptive to the presentation. Worse, parents with squalling youngsters can't just get up and leave; in the darkness, it's simply not safe to be walking around if you can't see where you're going (and the stars are spinning overhead). Of course, children are very different, but as a general rule, planetarium shows are not recommended for children under 4 years of age. Most planetaria have age limits and restrictions on baby strollers, so check before you go with your family.
Try near the control console.
This question is answered in detail at the following URLs:
For more planetarium FAQs like these, see the FAQ page of the University of Nebraska's Ralph Mueller Planetarium Web site: http://www.spacelaser.com/mueller_faq.html.
End of sci.astro.planetarium FAQ