Planetariums give us closer look at the stars
By Annie Alleman For GO November 4, 2010 11:58AM
LIZ WILKINSON ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. 6/28/07 Art Maurer, director of the Trackman Planetarium at Joliet Junior College, explains the planetarium projector to Brianca Kreeger, 10, of Morris, and Kevin Kochan, 12, of Custer Park, during an astronomy day camp at the college on Wednesday.
Herbert Trackman Planetarium
Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet. Call 815-280-6682
www.jjc.edu/info/planetarium
Tuesday evening shows: suitable for all ages and begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening shows are directed toward children and begin at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday shows begin at 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
6:30 p.m. Nov. 18: The Seasonal Sky: Skies of Winter
7:30 p.m. Nov. 23: How to Buy a Telescope
2:30 p.m. Nov. 29: Winter Skies for Kids
6:30 p.m. Dec. 2: The Christmas Show
7:30 p.m. Dec. 7: The Solar System
2:30 p.m. Dec. 13: The Christmas Show
2:30 p.m. Dec. 20: The Christmas Show
7:30 p.m. Dec. 21: The Christmas Show
2:30 p.m. Dec. 30: Our Solar System
Adler Planetarium
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. 312-922-7827
www.adlerplanetarium.org
The museum is home to three full-size theaters, including the all-digital projection Definiti Space Theater and the 3D Universe Theater. Shows include “Great Observations in 3-D,” “Journey to the Stars” narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Big Adventure,” “Night Sky Live,” and “3D Vision: Imagining the Universe.”
Visit the web site for more information on shows, exhibits, workshops and lectures.
Strickler Planetarium
Olivet Nazarene University, One University Ave., Bourbonnais. 815-939-5395
http://strickler.olivet.edu
Strickler Planetarium is a digital planetarium which recently acquired a new Evans and Sutherland Digistar 3 SP2 HD digital projector. Audiences can experience a three-dimensional visualization of the night sky, the solar system and the galaxy. Strickler Planetarium is one of only three planetaria in Illinois with digital projection capabilities.
Tickets are $3.
Upcoming shows:
“STARS”: Narrated by Mark Hamill (“Star Wars”) with a soundtrack performed by the Nashville Orchestra, “STARS” explores the life and death of stars. Each show will be followed by a guided star-tour of the autumn sky and a sneak peak at an upcoming show. It is showing at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and 20.
“Strickler Holiday Special: The Stars of Christmas”: This show explores the holiday sky and speculates on the nature and origin of the Christmas star. It is showing at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. 708-583-3100
www.triton.edu/cgi-bin/r.cgi/
The Cernan Center is a public planetarium on the campus of Triton College in River Grove.
Open all year, the Cernan Center houses a 100-seat dome theater that features star-filled planetarium shows, wraparound films, children’s shows and laser light shows, along with a Space Hall and Star Store gift shop.
The Cernan Center also hosts events, lectures and workshops that complement programs presented in the dome theater. Programs are offered for the general public in the dome on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Shows include “Dinosaurs in Space,” “Once in a Blue Moon,” “Stellar XStremes” and “Xtra Terrestial Files.” Laser shows include “Zeppelin Unbound” with a “Beatles 2” mini show.
Visit the web site for a complete list of shows, times and admission prices.
Waubonsie Planetarium
Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora. 630-375-3300
http://planetarium.ipsd.org/
In 1975, the Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium opened with the high school. It offers several programs and is open to the public. The WVHS Planetarium hosts a monthly Family Night with a new theme presented each month. It also hosts many Scout troops.
Family nights (which are not limited exclusively to families) are held the first Friday of the month, except holiday weekends, from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost is $2 per seat (small children on laps are free.)
The planetarium also hosts laser light shows for $4. Check the web site for a schedule of shows.
Dearborn Observatory
Northwestern University, 2131 Tech Drive, Evanston. 847-491-7650
http://ciera.northwestern.edu/observatory.php
The Dearborn Observatory is open for public observing with the historic 18.5-inch refracting telescope every Friday night from 8 to 10 p.m. Guests receive a tour of the observatory and can view through the telescope, weather permitting.
Article Extras
Updated: April 19, 2011 5:06AM
There’s nothing like gazing into infinite space and feeling a part of something much bigger than yourself.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of planetariums in the area for budding astronomers, star-gazing enthusiasts and night sky newbies.
Art Maurer is the director of the Herbert Trackman Planetarium at Joliet Junior College in Joliet.
JJC’s planetarium offers several programs for school groups during the day, and programs for the general public during the day as well as on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Some of the shows include: “Wonders of the Night,” “Our Solar System,” “Are There Aliens,” “What’s in the Sky,” “and “The Fermi Paradox.”
“JJC prides itself on being a part of the community and I’m glad they feel that way,” he said. “We do not charge for shows. We do it as a community service.”
The most common statement he hears is people telling him they didn’t know JJC had a planetarium.
“I’m trying to make it more visible,” he said. “We don’t get as many people as we used to (during the week) because the children’s shows start at 6:30 (p.m.) and people aren’t home yet. To counter that, during the winter I do several Sunday afternoon shows and they are very popular. Adults ask as many questions as the kids do.”
The majority of the shows he conducts are for school and Scout groups. Maurer writes and produces all the shows himself, after realizing the shows they had were quite outdated.
“You do not try and tell a third grader something that’s 10 years old because they know so much now,” he said. “The teachers prefer the new shows. I update them every week. On top of which, they can ask questions throughout the show. I love it. It’s really great when they start asking questions.”
After evening shows, he takes the audiences outside (weather permitting) to star-gaze.
“I show them the real thing,” he said. “If time permits, I’ll bring a telescope and we’ll look at planets. Astronomy is a great hobby to get into. It’s a living science.”
He tailors the talks to the audience. If it’s a class of young children, he will talk about how astronauts use the restroom on the space shuttle. If it’s a class of teenagers, he’ll tell them about Galileo’s middle finger (Google it.)
“You are here to have fun. This is not a class. I don’t give lectures,” he said. “We talk about what it’s like to go to Mars. Kids love aliens, they all have ideas on aliens. We laugh a lot, we clown around, but they learn a lot.”
He offers a few very relevant shows in the coming weeks, including: “The Skies of Winter,” “How to Buy a Telescope” (for those future astronomers getting a telescope for Christmas); and “The Christmas Star.”
The Adler
Karen Carney is associate vice president for visitor experience and learning at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
The Adler Planetarium, America’s first planetarium, opened in 1930. It boasts three full-size theaters, extensive space science exhibitions, and an extensive collection of antique astronomical instruments on display. There are also daily activities, shows, lectures and programs aimed at people of all ages.
Planetariums are important for communities, Carney said, because they give people opportunities to experience something new and different.
“Planetariums do a whole lot of different things. They give people a chance to experience the night sky in a way they might not be able to,” she said. “Most city dwellers see five or six stars. You learn how amazing it is up there.”
She said that when city-dwelling schoolchildren see the night sky for the first time without the impediment of street lights, there are always gasps.
On the night of Dec. 20 into the wee hours of Dec. 21, the public is invited to the Adler to witness a full lunar eclipse.
“We’ll have some coffee and hot chocolate, and astronomers on hand to answer questions,” she said. “We have volunteers come and bring their telescopes. We’ll have areas for people to warm up. It’s the longest night of the year that night – the exact beginning of winter. There’s an awful lot going on that night in terms of the sun and the moon and the earth’s relationship. There will be people on hand to talk about what going on that night.”
Herbert Trackman Planetarium
Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet. Call 815-280-6682
www.jjc.edu/info/planetarium
Tuesday evening shows: suitable for all ages and begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening shows are directed toward children and begin at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday shows begin at 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
6:30 p.m. Nov. 18: The Seasonal Sky: Skies of Winter
7:30 p.m. Nov. 23: How to Buy a Telescope
2:30 p.m. Nov. 29: Winter Skies for Kids
6:30 p.m. Dec. 2: The Christmas Show
7:30 p.m. Dec. 7: The Solar System
2:30 p.m. Dec. 13: The Christmas Show
2:30 p.m. Dec. 20: The Christmas Show
7:30 p.m. Dec. 21: The Christmas Show
2:30 p.m. Dec. 30: Our Solar System
Adler Planetarium
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. 312-922-7827
www.adlerplanetarium.org
The museum is home to three full-size theaters, including the all-digital projection Definiti Space Theater and the 3D Universe Theater. Shows include “Great Observations in 3-D,” “Journey to the Stars” narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Big Adventure,” “Night Sky Live,” and “3D Vision: Imagining the Universe.”
Visit the web site for more information on shows, exhibits, workshops and lectures.
Strickler Planetarium
Olivet Nazarene University, One University Ave., Bourbonnais. 815-939-5395
http://strickler.olivet.edu
Strickler Planetarium is a digital planetarium which recently acquired a new Evans and Sutherland Digistar 3 SP2 HD digital projector. Audiences can experience a three-dimensional visualization of the night sky, the solar system and the galaxy. Strickler Planetarium is one of only three planetaria in Illinois with digital projection capabilities.
Tickets are $3.
Upcoming shows:
“STARS”: Narrated by Mark Hamill (“Star Wars”) with a soundtrack performed by the Nashville Orchestra, “STARS” explores the life and death of stars. Each show will be followed by a guided star-tour of the autumn sky and a sneak peak at an upcoming show. It is showing at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and 20.
“Strickler Holiday Special: The Stars of Christmas”: This show explores the holiday sky and speculates on the nature and origin of the Christmas star. It is showing at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. 708-583-3100
www.triton.edu/cgi-bin/r.cgi/
The Cernan Center is a public planetarium on the campus of Triton College in River Grove.
Open all year, the Cernan Center houses a 100-seat dome theater that features star-filled planetarium shows, wraparound films, children’s shows and laser light shows, along with a Space Hall and Star Store gift shop.
The Cernan Center also hosts events, lectures and workshops that complement programs presented in the dome theater. Programs are offered for the general public in the dome on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Shows include “Dinosaurs in Space,” “Once in a Blue Moon,” “Stellar XStremes” and “Xtra Terrestial Files.” Laser shows include “Zeppelin Unbound” with a “Beatles 2” mini show.
Visit the web site for a complete list of shows, times and admission prices.
Waubonsie Planetarium
Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora. 630-375-3300
http://planetarium.ipsd.org/
In 1975, the Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium opened with the high school. It offers several programs and is open to the public. The WVHS Planetarium hosts a monthly Family Night with a new theme presented each month. It also hosts many Scout troops.
Family nights (which are not limited exclusively to families) are held the first Friday of the month, except holiday weekends, from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost is $2 per seat (small children on laps are free.)
The planetarium also hosts laser light shows for $4. Check the web site for a schedule of shows.
Dearborn Observatory
Northwestern University, 2131 Tech Drive, Evanston. 847-491-7650
http://ciera.northwestern.edu/observatory.php
The Dearborn Observatory is open for public observing with the historic 18.5-inch refracting telescope every Friday night from 8 to 10 p.m. Guests receive a tour of the observatory and can view through the telescope, weather permitting.
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