Flandrau's Astronomy Programs Move to Virtual and Inflatable Planetaria

Flandrau offers exciting astronomy programs for preschoolers through retirees.

Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center, is offering astronomy programs for all ages despite the center's closure following state budget cuts.

Flandrau astronomy coordinator Michael Terenzoni and graduate student Matthew Wenger use both virtual and inflatable planetaria in presenting a variety of different shows designed to inspire, teach and entertain audiences ranging from pre-school through retirement age.

Programs are available for cost-recovery fees typically in the $150-$175 range.

Terenzoni, Wenger and Flandrau volunteers use an inflatable, portable planetarium called a Digitarium, that is proving popular with kids this summer.

Flandrau staff formerly used the Digitarium, which is inflated with a household fan, as a place to prototype new exhibits.

The system can be inflated in a 15- by 20-foot area and only requires a standard, three-prong outlet for power. The inflatable planetarium accommodates about 15-20 children or about 12-15 adults.

Ceiling height is preferred to be 10 feet, though the system can work under shorter ceilings by slightly deflating the dome.

Five of the inflatable planetarium shows are geared to interest youngsters of different grade levels and also meet Arizona state science standards. "The Little Sky Show," "There's No Place Like Space" and "Follow the Drinking Gourd" are aimed at younger children, run 20-30 minutes and are available at a two-show minimum.

"Constellations" and "Seasons" for older elementary amd middle school students run 50 minutes, and can be adapted for high school and college students. Terenzoni recently presented shows at both the UA Adult and Teen Astronomy Camps.

Terenzoni has developed new Flandrau astronomy programs for adults that use a virtual planetarium. Virtual planetarium programs project the night sky from any chosen location on a large flat screen, and are accompanied by hands-on stargazing experience using telescopes and binoculars.

Virtual planetarium programs offered from now through fall include:

• "Mythology, photography and the current Arizona night sky." This program touches on light pollution, constellation and bright star identification, how the night sky changes when viewed from different latitudes and locations, basic celestial mechanics, planets, satellites, meteorite showers, aurora, and sun, moon and sky photography.

•  "Basic celestial mechanics and the night sky." This program uses the Digitarium inflatable planetarium, so it can be scheduled either day or night. It's similar to a program Terenzoni has presented to college students for the past 15 years.

• "Touring the universe in binoculars." Participants bring their own binoculars and folding camp chairs to a semi-dark location and Terenzoni also brings two of his own giant, stand-supported binoculars. "It's always amazing how much you can see through binoculars on a clear night," Terenzoni said. He can recommend binoculars for night-sky viewing for those who want to buy their own in advance of the program.
• "Sighting the Harvest Moon" and "Sighting the Crescent Moon." Flandrau will offer these programs in early October, just before NASA has scheduled the "LCROSS" satellite to crash into the moon's south polar region. For the harvest moon, Terenzoni will lead short programs that start before sunset during the Oct. 2-3 weekend to explain how and why the harvest moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night. Participants will be oriented to the night sky with a virtual planetarium presentation and then view the harvest moon through binoculars and telescopes from a dark sky location. The crescent moon program might be a rain-date alternative if observers are clouded out for the harvest moon show.
• "A tour of the solar system." Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune will all be visible in November evenings. Terenzoni plans to start this program with a virtual planetarium presentation, which will include 3-D imagery from space probes and UA programs, then go outside for telescope viewing.
• "The brilliant October morning sky." This off-site program has a 5 a.m. start time, so it's definitely for early risers. Winter stars will be at their most brilliant in the late October pre-dawn twilight, and a bonus is that the ringed planet, Saturn, also will be visible at that time.

Details are available on the Flandrau Web site.

To reserve a portable planetarium show or arrange a Flandrau-run star party, sign up using the Flandrau Web site's online form.

For virtual planetarium shows call Terenzoni at 520-621-3646 or e-mail him at miket@ns.arizona.edu.

Flandrau's 16-inch telescope remains open to the public for free night-sky viewing Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. throughout the year. Admission is free, but donations are suggested and needed. 

Also, the UA Mineral Museum located within Flandrau remains open to school group field trips Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the public can visit Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 per person.