Fall 2010 Volume 1, Issue 3 Casper Planetarium (307) 577-0310 In This Issue: Eyes to the Sky! (1) International Observe the Moon Night (1) Eyes to the Sky! R. Kennedy September marks the official beginning of Autumn. It occurs on or about the 22nd of the month and is referred to as the fall or Autumnal Equinox. The word equinox means equal night and is one of only two days in the year when the day and night are of equal length. If we were to observe the sunrise and sunset positions of the sun on this date, we would find that it rises due East and sets due West. From the Equinox on, the days get progressively shorter and the sun rises and sets further south. The changing altitude of the sun is due to the Earth s tilt relative to its rotational axis. Earth s rotational axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from vertical. This tilt keeps the Earth s axis pointed toward the star Polaris. Yet as the Earth revolves around the sun, the sun appears to change its altitude in the sky. Contrary to popular myth, the Equinoxes are not the only days you can balance an egg on its end. The delicate task of balancing an egg has to to with slight variations and imperfections of the surface of an egg s shell instead of the position of the Earth. An egg will stand on its end just as easily (or not so easily) on the first day of summer as it will the first day of fall. Fall is also a great time to get out and stargaze. The nights are generally clear, steady and warm enough to enjoy being outside. Puny Polaris? (2) Planetarium Personalities (2) Fall Schedule (3) Holiday Programs (3) Build Your 30-Minute Rocket! (4) Important Educator Information (5) International Observe the Moon Night H. Malody International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) takes place on Saturday, September 18, 2010. The Casper Planetarium is excited to be hosting one of the many events that will be taking place around the world on that night. Our event will be held from 7:00pm until 9:00pm and will include many activities involving the moon. Come to learn about the phases of the moon, see a short program in the dome about the moon, and discover how craters and lunar footprints are created. We will also have telescopes set up for moon viewing and star-finders to help you find your way around the sky that night. This event is free and open to the public. There will be myriad opportunities for fun and learning suitable for the whole family. We hope you will take the time to stop by the Casper Planetarium at any point during the two-hour event to take part in InOMN. Check out the ad on page four for more information, or give us a call here at the Planetarium!
Page 2 of 5 Miss Conception If you have an astronomy question for Miss Conception, please send it to: CasperPlanetarium@ gmail.com Puny Polaris? Dear Miss Conception, I know Polaris is the North Star, and it is probably the most famous star besides the Sun. I went outside last night, found the brightest star in the sky, and guess what? It was not north of me! What is the big idea? ~ Dazzle Diminished Dear Dazzle, You are not alone in feeling that a star as important as Polaris should be very bright in the night sky. It is something of human nature automatically to connect grandness with importance. However, the North Star is famous for its location, not its brightness! Polaris is in line with the Earth s axis of rotation, which gives the appearance that the rest of the stars rotate around Polaris. Even though it is not a remarkably bright star, you can find it quite easily by using the Big Dipper. Interestingly, Polaris has not always been the Pole Star (or North Star). Other stars have had that honor in the distant past, and in the distant future, Polaris will no longer be in the same position in our sky and will lose the title again. So, what did you see? Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky, but we can only see it in the winter months. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major. Vega is another bright star, but it is visible in the summer months. It is part of the Summer Triangle. I spent three weeks, as a child, learning many new things each day. It was invigorating. ~Michele Wistisen Planetarium Personalities H. Malody Michele Wistisen is the supervisor at the Casper Planetarium. She is an astronomy enthusiast, and works tirelessly to bring space science to the students of the Natrona County School District. In the spring of 2010, Michele had the opportunity to take her knowledge abroad with a sort of teacher exchange program. Below is a brief description of her journey and what the experience meant to her. This last April I was chosen to be the representative for the Week in Italy for an American Planetarium Operator. Frances Willard in How I Learned to Ride a Bicycle, truly summed the experience for me when he said, No matter how one may think himself accomplished, when he sets out to learn a new language, science, or the bicycle, he has entered a new realm as truly as if he were a child newly born into the world. I spent three weeks, as a child, learning many new things each day. It was invigorating. The chance to teach in Italy gave me many new opportunities. I had to develop lessons for students whose first language is not English. The teachers in Italy requested that I tell at least 20 minutes of Native American stories. After reading many books about Native American cosmology, I have a greater appreciation for the diverse perspective of our universe that originate in our own country. From my earliest recollection, Italy was only a land of ancient cities written about in my history books. I was familiar with the names of places such as Rome, Venice, and Florence but I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to visit any of these places. Now that I have, the long forgotten meaningless lessons from my childhood are replaced with experiences of real people and places.
Page 3 of 5 What s Happening this Spring at the Planetarium? Public Programs The Night Sky: Enjoy a 5-10 minute tour of the prominent constellations, stars, and planets led by a Planetarium staff member before each show. Spirits from the Sky, Thunder on the Land Saturday Evenings at 7:00pm Aug. 21st Nov. 13th, Jan. 8th Feb. 26th Recommended for ages 6+ To the Pawnee, the connection between the sky and the Earth remind them of their place in time and space and their relation to all that they see. Dawn of the Space Age: Saturday Evenings at 8:00pm Aug. 21st Nov. 13th, Jan. 8th Feb. 26th Recommended for ages 8+ From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik, to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights, be immersed and overwhelmed with this accurate historic reconstruction of Man s first steps into space. Winter Break and Holiday Shows George and Oatmeal Save Santa Saturday Evenings at 7:00pm Nov. 20th Dec. 18th Recommended for ages 3+ Santa is lost! Join George and Oatmeal as they search for Santa and help him use the stars to navigate his way back to the North Pole! Secret of the Cardboard Rocket Daily at 2:00pm Dec. 27th-30th and Jan. 3rd-7th Recommended for ages 5+ Climb aboard the magical cardboard rocket and experience a close-up look at each of our Solar System s planets. Season of Light Saturday Evenings at 8:00pm Nov. 20th Dec. 18th Recommended for ages 6+ This presentation traces the history and development of many of the world s most endearing holiday customs.
Page 4 of 5 The Casper Planetarium has a large selection of astronomy books for sale in our gift shop. From children s books to in-depth astronomy guides, there is something for everyone! Phone: (307) 577-0310 Build Your 30-minute Rocket! http://space.about.com/od/activities/ss/bottlerocket.htm What you need: * plastic soda pop bottle * one thin drinking straw * one thick drinking straw * tape * clay/play dough * scissors * copy or computer paper Here's What You Do: 1. Cut out one strip of paper 10 1/2cm x 1 1/2cm and one 5 1/4cm x 1 1/2cm. 2. Make sure there are no cracks in the bottle. 3. Take the label off of the bottle. 4. Wrap clay around the bottom of the small straw. Do not poke the straw through the clay! 5. Use the ball of clay to close the top of the bottle. 6. Let some of the straw stick through the clay so that you can see the straw inside the bottle. 7. Test for air leaks. Put your finger over the other end of the small straw. Squeeze the bottle. The bottle should feel hard when there are no leaks. 8. Bend one paper strip to make a loop and tape the ends to close the loop. 9. Do the same with the other paper strip. 10. Tape a paper strip onto each end of the large straw making sure the little loop is on top. The straw will be inside the loop. 11. Put a small ball of clay into the end of the large straw like a cork. 12. Put the large straw over the small one. 13. Give the bottle a quick squeeze and watch it fly! E-Mail: CasperPlanetarium@gmail.com We re on the Web! See us at: www.natronaschools.org under the schools tab or www.casperplanetarium.com CASPER PLANETARIUM 904 N Poplar Street Casper, WY 82601
Page 5 of 5 Important Schoolyear Information for Teachers Class Visits Please look at the calendar below and make a note of approximately when your grade level will be attending. Please take a moment to consider any possible conflicts and alert us as soon as possible. We will continue to prepare the bus schedules and send them to you two weeks prior to your visit. 2010-2011 Tentative dates for 2 nd, 4 th, 5 th, and 7 th grades 1 st Quarter Earth, Moon, and Sun 4 th grade 2 nd Quarter Journey to the Stars 5 th grade 3 rd Quarter Astro Otters 2 nd grade 4 th Quarter Heart of the Sun 7 th grade All other grades can schedule a visit to the planetarium by calling 577-0310. We have several grade appropriate programs. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS We also have programs about: telescopes, African and Egyptian cosmology, space exploration, black holes, and the life cycle of stars. Class visits to the planetarium may be scheduled by calling 577-0310. In Your Classroom Phases of the Moon Students observe, classify, and predict future phases of the Moon. This intensive presentation involves multiple visits to the classroom and is recommended for fourth grade student. Evening Programs Additional evening programs complete with telescope observing sessions can be scheduled for your class and their families (A nominal cost of only $1 per person will be charged to cover the cost of bringing in additional part-time staff members). Natrona County District and Regional Science Fair February 12, 2011 Science fairs give students the opportunity to model the work of professional research scientists. Students who develop science projects learn or improve their: Scientific method and experimentation skills Logical thinking and problem-solving skills Writing and public speaking abilities Advanced library research skills Understanding and appreciation of the discipline of science and careers in science Winning is not the main goal of a science fair project. Success should be measured by the following criteria: The student worked hard, increased in knowledge, improved their organizational skills, enhanced their thinking skills and had fun along the way. If you know of a student who may be interested in doing a science fair project but your school does not participate in science fair, have them call 577-0310 and we will help them with their project.