June Programming
This is the FINAL Friends Weekend for the 2012-2013 academic year, so what better way to close the season than with a “Best Of” retrospective of our most popular shows, and interactive contributions from our Board of Directors? We will also feature our much-demanded STAR TALKS. We are sure to offer something for everyone.
The Friends of the Planetarium organizes and hosts public programs for one weekend each month. The Friends of the Planetarium will use donations from the community to purchase digital full-dome programming to complement the library being developed by Arlington Public Schools.
Friday, June 14, 2013
FREE SHOW: The CubeSat Mission: Hands On Presentation, followed by Interactive Star Talk
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Montana State University
From classroom to orbit: Come see Arlington elementary school students that are building and launching a real satellite! St. Thomas More Cathedral School has been working on a one-of-a-kind program to launch a student-built satellite into orbit as part of their school's Science Technology Engineering and Math focus (STEM). With the assistance of NASA Mission Manager, Mr. Joe Pellegrino; STM Systems Manager, Mr. Steve Rozzi; and the school's computer teacher, Mrs. Melissa Pore, these students have started building a CubeSat satellite. They are including an asteroid tracker and orbital debris locator as part of their design plan. They also plan to create a world-wide operations center by including a component that allows ham radio operators to access our satellite's data and email it directly to us. Teachers will use the data that the satellite collects for school research in math and science. After the satellite passes the testing phase, it will be assigned to a launch and will become part of the CubeSat program, which includes the participation of more than 60 universities and high schools.
Then… stay and see the nighttime Arlington sky on the dome of the Planetarium, guided by Dr. Andrew Clegg. Dr. Clegg has over20 years of professional astronomy experience. He is formally trained as a radio astronomer and electrical engineer, with PhD and Masters degrees from Cornell University, and a BA degree from the University of Virginia. Dr. Clegg is also member of the Friends of the Planetarium Board of Directors, and would love to answer your questions about the universe.
Doors Open: 5:15p.m. Presentation Begins: 5:30p.m.
Screening of the digital program Magic Tree House® Space Mission
Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “-M.” The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. Magic Tree House® Space Mission is best suited for ages 5 to 12 and their families. Older children familiar with the book series may also enjoy the show.
Running Time: 35 minutes
Doors Open: 6:15p.m. Show Begins: 6:30p.m.
Screening of the digital program Oasis in Space
One of Spitz’s most popular full-dome shows, Oasis in Space transports the audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy, and solar system in search of liquid water, a key ingredient for life on Earth. With a proven, audience-tested story, a 95% viewer approval rating, and an original surround format musical score, Oasis in Space will delight viewers of all ages. Spitz Creative Media.
Running Time: 24 minutes
Doors Open: 7:15p.m. Show Begins: 7:30p.m.
Saturday June 15, 2013
Screening of the first digital program purchased by the Friends of the Planetarium:
Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe
“Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. Suitable for audiences of all ages, this dramatic program features the voice talent of Mark Hamill and stunning 3D animation.” – SpitzInc.com
Running Time: 24 minutes
Doors Open: 6:15p.m. Show Begins: 6:30p.m.
Screening of the digital program Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity, followed by Interactive Star Talk
Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity is one of the most successful full-dome shows ever produced. Narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen. Audiences will be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity is best suited for ages 9 and older and their families. (http://www.spitzinc.com)
The show will be followed by an interactive star talk by Dr. Alice Monet, President of the Friends of the Planetarium. Dr. Monet spent most of her professional career with the US Naval Observatory, measuring the spin and wobble of the Earth, distances of nearby stars, and trajectories of asteroids and comets that might someday impact our planet. Since retiring in 2010, she has focused on making the David M. Brown Planetarium one of the most exciting places to learn about science in Arlington County.
Running Time: 24 minutes (Interactive Star Talk to follow)
Doors Open: 7:15p.m. Show Begins: 7:30p.m.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Screening of the digital program Magic Tree House® Space Mission
Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “-M.” The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. Magic Tree House® Space Mission is best suited for ages 5 to 12 and their families. Older children familiar with the book series may also enjoy the show.
Running Time: 35 minutes
Doors Open: 1:15 p.m. Show Begins: 1:30 p.m.
Living History Presentation
Project Enlightenment is a unique interdisciplinary living history program founded by Mr. Dean Howarth. Dean is a member of the Friends of the Planetarium Board of Directors. For 20 years, students at McLean High School have been bringing history to life by conducting historical interpretations at local museums, schools, and historic sites.
Running Time: 35 minutes
Doors Open: 2:15 p.m. Presentation Begins: 2:30 p.m.
Screening of the digital program Dynamic Earth
This program was made possible through a generous donation from Ric and Jean Edelman.
Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth's climate system. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. Dynamic Earth explores the relationship between Earth and the Sun, the carbon cycle, plate tectonics, and presents a broader perspective on climate change. (SpitzInc.com)
Dynamic Earth is targeted for the middle grades, although kids in the lower elementary grades may pick up some basic concepts.
Running Time: 24 minutes
Doors Open: 3:15 p.m. Show Begins: 3:30 p.m.
Ticketing Policies
Admission for all programs is $3 for Children (up to age 12), Friends Members, and Seniors (60+) and $5 for teens and adults.
Ticketing will be managed online at www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org and powered by eventbrite.com. Online ticketing will end two hours prior to each show, and any unreserved seats will be made available on a first come, first served basis 15 minutes prior to the doors opening. Refunds for tickets purchased for Friends-sponsored events may be requested, and will be granted up to the time an event begins. Once the event has begun, or the entry time has passed, no refunds for unused tickets will be made.
About Friends of the Planetarium
Founded in 2010 to save the Planetarium from being closed, Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that continues to raise funds to make the Planetarium even better, and to support Arlington Public Schools in providing enhanced science education in Arlington County. The Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium has an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Council.