Many people are both fascinated and curious about planetariums. Below is a collection that represents questions I am most often asked along with a “typical” answer. I hope this helps you understand more about what goes on and how your needs can be met. If you still have a question, please feel free to ask! Remember: “There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers.”
A planetarium is a classroom, laboratory, and theater – all in one! Traditionally, “planetarium” has referred to a device used to display the apparent motions of celestial objects – the stars, Sun, Moon, planets, etc. The concept of constructing machines to simulate the celestial sphere goes back several centuries, but these devices were inaccurate, clumsy, and available to only a select few individuals. It was not until the 1920s that optical machines were developed to recreate the heavens and made available to the general public. Today, the planetarium device itself is commonly called a “star projector” and is located within a domed enclosure, often with theater seating. However, the word “planetarium” is now commonly used to describe the star projector, domed theater screen, any peripheral projection systems, and the building that houses it. Most planetaria are located in or associated with educational institutions, such as museums, universities, schools, or parks, so the primary focus of modern planetaria is education, with public programs an extension of those offerings.
Planetaria can range from simple educational toys costing around $20 to huge multi-million dollar facilities. All planetaria are designed to project images of stars, while some of the more advanced facilities can also project the planets, Milky Way, and other celestial objects and events. Most star-projection systems have a light source encased inside a sphere. The projection mechanism may be as simple as pinholes in the sphere to actual star plates on individual lens systems. Alternatively, the Evans & Sutherland Digistar Planetarium is a computer-graphics system using a cathode-ray tube capped with a fisheye lens.
Projecting the images onto a hemispherical surface is essential for creating a realistic night sky. Many of these domes, or theater screens as they might also be referred, are constructed from perforated aluminum panels (although plastic or plaster can also be used) and are permanently mounted about 10 feet above the seats.
The Heritage Planetarium utilizes a Minolta MediaGlobe Projection System centered beneath a 30-foot hemispherical dome. This sophisticated system allows the sky to be projected as seen from any location on Earth and at any time in history, as well as taking trips through the Solar System and beyond. The motions of the planets are also depicted, as are variable stars, the Milky Way, Moon, Sun, and other phenomena. This system is complemented by many multi-media elements: a bank of slide projectors, more than 40 peripheral projectors, special effects, and video/data projection. The entire enterprise is controlled by a computer automation system designed by East Coast Controls that allows all the planetarium’s equipment to work in concert, providing advanced and smooth programming and operation.
The Heritage Planetarium prides itself on serving the diverse needs of the teachers and communities it serves. The entire library of programs is available at all times (with the exception of the Christmas programs). Therefore, a kindergarten group may visit in the morning, and college students in the afternoon. Detailed descriptions of the programs are available, including the grade range and a list of educational objectives. Since all these programs are different, every visit to the Heritage Planetarium will be different!
However, a general outline is followed with all presentations, which is summarized below. Any deviation or alternative to this outline will be mentioned in the program’s description.
1. The presentation of the actual planetarium program(automated);
2. A survey of the current night sky;
3. You may also elect to watch a laser-light show.
In addition, visitors will be provided with star maps of the current night sky and project packets with additional information are available.
Planetarium shows are not movies. They are multimedia presentations including star projectors, slide projectors, video, special effects, lasers, and other devices used to display many images in many ways on the domed theater screen above.
The majority of programs at the Heritage Planetarium are done for field trips and other private groups (scouts, clubs, church groups, etc). To schedule a time for your class or group, call (865) 984-8548 or visit www.heritageplanetarium.org.
Public programs are also available. Contact the Heritage Planetarium to learn the programs and showtimes (changed monthly).
Planetaria are often confused with other facilities. Although the words sound familiar, 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 that simulate the night sky (and even the daytime sky!) and can be used 24 hours a day! The dome doesn’t open; it is merely a projection screen.
The Heritage Planetarium has programs for children as young as kindergarten age! These programs have simple music and narration, and the theater is never completely dark. These programs are also much shorter than the more advanced presentations.
To recreate the environment at night, the planetarium theater has to be dark. Most programs, particularly the advanced programs, have dramatic (and loud) music and special effects. All of this can be scary to young children, no matter how much they are reassured. “Scary” usually results in screaming or crying – very disruptive to the presentation and the audience. Worse, leaving a planetarium with a frightened youngster is difficult, as the environment is dark and moving around can be dangerous. Of course, children are very different, but as a general rule, planetarium shows, even the kindergarten-level productions, are not recommended for children under 4 years of age.
Yes, but you can’t get back in! People are not prepared for the darkness of a planetarium when coming from a lighted area, causing them to trip, bump into things, or even get disoriented if the sky is moving. This can be dangerous both for the person and the people seated in the planetarium. To avoid injury and to protect the equipment, no one is admitted after a program has begun.
The back row. (Actually, my seat from the control center is the best seat in the house, but, come on, we can’t all fit back there!)
Yes, the facility is capable of accommodating special needs, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen tanks. If you have special concerns, contact the planetarium before visiting.
Special note: If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may want to consult with me before attending. Planetariums can trigger seizures in certain individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. In addition, some programs utilize strobe effects – another known trigger for epileptic seizures. Consult with your physician if you have doubt before visiting any planetarium or Imax theater.
The facility is designed to take up to 67 individuals.
The Heritage Planetarium is an educational facility, concentrating its resources on increasing awareness, interest, and knowledge in the fields of physics and astronomy, space and Earth science, technology, history, and mythology. The facility in no way is motivated by revenue, politics, tourism, or other similar considerations.
However, a planetarium is a multi-million dollar facility that needs to be operated, serviced, and kept current. As a result, small admission fees are charged to certain groups who visit the facility. Schools within the Blount County School System visiting on school-sponsored field trips are exempt from admission fees to experience a planetarium program, although a small fee is charged for a laser-light show.
Does this mean that the Heritage Planetarium feels students in other school systems or organizations are not as deserving? Absolutely not! We simply ask that these groups help with the cost of operating such a sophisticated facility. Admission fees into the Heritage Planetarium are considerably less than those of similar facilities. It should also be noted that the revenue generated by admission is only about 10% of the total operating cost of the planetarium, not including major upgrade and renovation projects.
As of February 2005, admission into the Heritage Planetarium is*:
Blount County Schools visiting on a field trip for a planetarium/starshow -- Free
Blount County Schools visiting on a field trip for a planetarium/starshow and a laser show -- $2.00 per person
Blount County School visiting on a field trip for a laser show only -- $2.00 per person
Other school systems visiting on a field trip for a planetarium/starshow -- $1.00 per person
Other school systems visiting on a field trip for a planetarium/starshow and a laser show -- $2.00 per person
All other groups:
Group admission for a private planetarium/starshow -- $1.00 per person, $35.00 minimum
Group admission for a private laser show -- $2.00 per person, $100.00 minimum
Group reduced combo rate for a planetarium/starshow and a laser show -- $2.00 per person, $75.00 minimum
Public Shows:
Planetarium/Starshows -- $1.00 per person
Laser Shows -- $5.00 per person
*Including chaperones. Please note that students on the free lunch program or with other special considerations are not required to pay admission.
Simply put, you can send your money to these organizations that claim to provide this service, but it will not be recognized. In other words, don’t waste your money!
These money-making businesses are very deceptive in allowing individuals to think they can buy the right to name a star, or buy real estate on the Moon or other bodies in the Solar System, but they are fraudulent. The International Astronomical Union is the only internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and surface features on them. Names are not sold, but assigned according to a very specific set of international rules and guidelines.
Still want to buy a star, and found an organization that will take your money? All you will get (in most cases) is an expensive piece of paper, a temporary feeling of happiness, and the option (conveniently enough) to buy the book that lists the star names they have sold, including yours. You will never find the name you picked on any star map (except the false ones the companies will send you) nor in any journal or textbook. No country, organization, program, nor science institute in the world will recognize “your” name. Not only is the name you picked ignored, but it may be sold again to another individual.
Some people think that because they have paid money, the courts would insist that their name(s) be honored. Again not true. Also, do not be fooled by claims of authenticity that their star registry list is preserved in the National Library. Giving the book a “number” doesn’t mean the library approves or reviews the content. Remember, "The Cat in the Hat" has a library number as well!
So why don’t universities, planetaria, observatories, and the IAU do something about these fraudulent companies? Simple – we are not a police organization! Charlatanry has been around for centuries and worn many disguises and we are not equipped to try and eradicate it. What the scientific community can do is exactly what I’m doing here – educating the public and warning them not to waste their money.
Still want to do it, even just for entertainment purposes? The Heritage Planetarium is a scientific and educational organization, not a branch of the entertainment industry, and as such will not distribute the names or addresses of enterprises selling fictitious goods. Please don’t ask.
There are simply more productive ways you could invest your money or honor a loved one.