Thursday, July 13     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Oral - Duluth
4.01-1 Back	Imagination Works Don Graham (Digital Printing & Imaging Association) Imagination Works is a fast moving program using a live presenter with computer graphics. The program explains the variety of digital graphics that can be used to enhance the exteriors of your buildings and attract more visitors. We will show how digital graphics allow for an unprecedented level of customization to match your special needs. The images on digital graphics are an excellent way to educate planetarium visitors even before they enter the theater itself. The audience will experience many examples of how building interiors can be enhanced with digital graphics. Also shown will be the use of digital graphics for cost effective high quality graphic signage. We will also discuss using digital graphics as a product for sale in a planetarium gift shop. The program encourages attendee interaction with the presenter and part of the program is designed for discussions.
4.01-2 Back	The Universe in Three Dimensions Anthony Fairall (South African Museum) & Joanne Young (Audio Visual Imagineering) The public's perception, of the universe about us, is confused by the naked eye's inability to gauge the distances of celestial objects. Even in a planetarium, the sky is projected onto a two-dimensional surface. However, chromostereoscopy offers the possibility of showing three-dimensional views, without the need of double projectors, when the audience is fitted out with ChromoDepth™ spectacles. The use of a standard six-projector all-sky system then produces three-dimension images that surround the viewers. In this presentation, we will show sample visuals and all sky panels. They include a three-dimensional starfield (based on the Hipparcos Satellite data), the Milky Way Galaxy and extragalactic large-scale structures.
4.01-3 Back	The Successor to the L-H-S Level Specification Mark C. Petersen (Loch Ness Productions) It has been 10 years since "The L-H-S Level Specification of Planetarium Capabilities" was introduced at the Sweden IPS conference. How has this method of classifying planetaria by their projection and production capabilities fared in its "version 1.0" form? Is there a "version 2.0" for the future? What does it all mean for the planetarium community? The answers to all these questions may be found in this presentation.
4.01-4 Back	A Visit to Russian Planetariums Shawn Laatsch (Arthur Storer Planetarium) In December of 1999 I was contacted by the Moscow Astronomy School to give a talk in Moscow, Russia to astronomy students in the 14-18 age group. Included in the trip are visits to the Moscow Planetarium, St. Petersburg Planetarium, and Star City Planetarium. I will be meeting with the directors to find out the general state of Russian planetaria and astronomy education in the nation. Also included will be a tour of the Cosmonaut and Russian Space Center. The paper will present a clear view of what is happening with Russian Planetariums and astronomy education in Russia. It will look at ways to increase western knowledge of the Russian Space Program and Russian Astronomy.
4.01-5 Back	The Dance of the Co-Creative Universe Ervin Bartha (NADA) In the twenty-first century, humanity will begin the process of colonizing other worlds in our solar system. It has been a long and precarious voyage for our species, and the final outcome for both the colonization effort and the continuation of human life on Earth is far from assured. Can the human race possibly continue to survive until the year 7000 A.C.E., or will our failure to live in more holistic, conscious ways result in ultimate demise? Our inevitable destiny need not be technological annihilation, if we adopt a more advanced view of evolution that includes giving back to the universe more than we take from it. What skills, talents and insights will future generations look for in selecting colonizers for new worlds? What qualities of humanity will be carried to the rest of the universe? The answers to these questions can be found in each of us as we awaken to the universe within ourselves.
Thursday, July 13     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Panel - Mackenzie
4.02 Back	Education vs. Entertainment in the Planetarium Chair: Dr. William Gutsch (Great Ideas); Panelists: Jeanne E. Bishop (Westlake Schools Planetarium), Jon Elvert (Lane ESD Planetarium), Johan Gijsenbergs (Artis Planetarium, Amsterdam / Sky-Skan, Inc.) & Sheldon Schafer (Lakeview Museum Planetarium) From journal articles to web sites and conference paper sessions to after hours hospitality suites, the seemingly endless debate goes on. Today, we will come together to visit this profound, important, and emotional topic yet again and, hopefully offer some new insights into how best to use our wonderful facilities and serve our audiences.
Thursday, July 13     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Workshop - Marquette
4.03 Back	Space Songs Jon U. Bell (Hallstrom Planetarium) Songs are an effective, entertaining way to convey ideas and information. While there are a few well-known, useful ditties such as Twinkle, Twinkle, there aren't nearly enough songs about outer space that lend themselves to actually teaching astronomy concepts. A lot of songs you might think talk about astronomy really only use astronomical objects and concepts to talk about other things, usually love. While it's nice to know that people regard the stuff of your profession as romantic, the songs don't really teach astronomy. In this workshop, Jon U. Bell of Hallstrom Planetarium will introduce participants to some newly coined "space songs," which use familiar, not-too-difficult-to-sing tunes with new, astronomy-appropriate lyrics. Those who attend the workshop will not only have the opportunity to learn these songs, but will also be provided with a complimentary songbook to take back and use in their own programs, workshops, or classes.
Thursday, July 13     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Oral - Duluth
4.04-1 Back	Effective Uses of Earth Image Bases in Planetarium Shows Patricia Reiff (Rice University) & Carolyn Sumners (Burke Baker Planetarium) Large, high-resolution image bases are now available for the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. In this presentation the authors describe the range of available image bases and describe how they can be integrated into planetarium programs on topics ranging from seasonal changes and weather systems to plate tectonics over millions of years. Techniques for presentation media ranging from slides to full dome graphics are discussed. All participants receive an Earth Update CD with samples of image bases and software for a free-standing kiosk featuring the latest imagery from the planet.
4.04-2 Back	Live and Enhanced: Improving Live Shows with the Internet and Immersive Video Laurel Ladwig (Burke Baker Planetarium) & Carolyn Sumners (Burke Baker Planetarium) Live shows given by a planetarium astronomer can be enhanced with modern technology without losing the value of having a live presenter. Although it has a full-dome video projection system, the Burke Baker Planetarium is still committed to live programs for school groups and stargazer's guides. This presentation focuses on the appeal of live performances from star shows to Carmen Sandiego™ and a variety of methods for enhancing these presentations. Special software will be demonstrated that allows a live operator to access the latest images off the Internet without the delays associated with being on the net or the distraction of having controls visible to the audience. A sample CD that can be updated to show today's image of the sun in different wavelengths will be provided for all participants. This presentation also describes the extensive programming of button boxes to make pre-taped large format video segments available and easily integrated into live presentations.
4.04-3 Back	Using a LCD Video Projector with Home Built Iris Shutter to Control Fade to Black Mickey Schmidt (USAF Academy Planetarium) If you cannot use a "three-gun" video projector because is too expensive for your facility and you have avoided the "one-gun" LCD Video Projectors because they do not fade to black, fear not. The staff of the USAF Academy Planetarium has designed and built a simple IRIS Shutter which can provide a fade to complete blackness and a degree of masking. A powerpoint discussion of manufacturing guidelines, installation and operation by our automation system is included. Construction drawings can be made available. Made from inexpensive materials, access to a lathe or machinist is necessary. The most expensive part is an "RC" selenoid.
4.04-4 Back	Gizzies, Ghosts, Goblins and Rain Gary Tomlinson (Chaffee Planetarium) This paper will detail three different unusual special effects for the planetarium: 1. Gizzies are attachments to slide projectors that transform these projectors into a kinetic marvel; 2. Using a power antenna, retractable 3-D effects can appear from "nowhere"; 3. Using agricultural fruit sprayers plus a submersible pump produces a special effect that delivers rain into you theater.
4.04-5 Back	Expanding the Planetarium Palette to Full-Dome Ryan Wyatt (LodeStar Astronomy Center) The immersive quality of the planetarium has finally expanded beyond the starfield, beyond still all-sky images, beyond Digistar points and wireframes - into the realm of film-like resolution and VR-like worlds. This development represents a paradigm shift in how we think about the dome: more and more, we must consider the environment as a unified whole, rather than as discrete elements, and we must pay serious attention to our colleagues in the large-format film industry who have already learned similar lessons. For those of us creating high-definition playback sequences for full-dome video, the richness of the new medium comes at a great cost (namely, weeks of CPU time for minutes of show material); however, the tools for creating visual have also become increasingly affordable and accessible. We must challenge ourselves to use the tools to their full potential.
4.04-6 Back	Digital Methods to Produce Seamless Allskies and Videos for Dome Environment Timo Rahunen (Planetarium, Tampereen Sarkanniemi Oy) In Tampere Planetarium we have developped digital methods for mixing allsky images and videos seamlessly together. Our new 2Pi-allsky projector uses special fisheye lenses for which certain corrections have to be made due to the lens geometry. This can be done by using 3D-software, e.g. 3D Studio MAX. We build a 3D virtual hemispheric dome and map still images on the virtual dome using standard mapping methods. Then we place virtual cameras in the positions corresponding to our projectors. The 2Pi-lens geometry can be corrected by choosing the camera position carefully. For allsky images we add appropriate masks in Photoshop when needed. 3D-animations produced in-house and any other digitized videos can be made to match allsky images using the same principles. For video sequences we can make masks in Photoshop and apply them in video post editing software, e.g. SpeedRazor.
Thursday, July 13     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Panel - Mackenzie
4.05 Back	Planetariums: The Keys to Success Chair: John Dickenson (H.R. MacMillan Space Centre); Panelists: Bill Chomik (Chomik Architectural Group), Thomas Clarke (Royal Ontario Museum), David Leverton (Northern Lights Space & Science Centre), Ian McLennan () & Gary Sampson (Wauwatosa West H.S. Planetarium) Six panelists with diverse backgrounds will explore together the key factors which make the difference between flourishing success and the struggles of closure. Their range of interests and experience will provide a session with valuable insights for all planetarians. The presentations will focus on three areas: 1.The Challenges -- what are the major threats and challenges in keeping the dome open? 2.Strategies for Success -- what have we learnt from our experiences and those of others? 3.Future Trends -- what factors must we take into account in planning for new or re-furbished facilities? Panelists include: Bill Chomik, an architect who specializes in performance theatres including planetariums; Gary Sampson, operates a school based planetarium; Ian McLennan, an international planetarium consultant; Tom Clarke, the ex-Director of a large planetarium which permanently closed; David Leverton, directs a high-tech planetarium in a small northern community; John Dickenson, directs a facility which has recently undergone a major expansion. This is not a session about technology. It is a session about client appeal, program flexibility, community support, operational models, sponsorship and funding, collaboration, governance, survival and more.
Thursday, July 13     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Workshop - Matapédia
4.06 Back	Theater Automation Workshop Joyce Towne Huggins & Garland Stern (Spitz Inc.) Introduction to the principles of theater automation and advanced show programming techniques. Participants will utilize Spitz' ATM-4 to program their own show, incorporating a digital video server, intelligent cove light system, slide projectors and more. Limit: 12 participants
Thursday, July 13     12:30 p.m.--1:15 p.m. Invited Lecture - Grand Salon
4.07 Back	STS-96 Mission to the International Space Station: Building the Future Ms. Julie Payette, astronaut, Canadian Space Agency
Thursday, July 13     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Oral - Duluth
4.08-1 Back	The Role of Evaluation in The Explorers Project Ken Miller (GOTO USA) Bishop Museum, in Honolulu, Hawai'i has teamed up with NASA to provide a prototype for the next generation of informal educational programming in astronomy and space sciences. Called the "Explorers Project", this effort taps expertise, resources and ideas from across the nation to develop materials exploiting the full potential of the planetarium environment from portable Starlab™ planetaria to large multi-media theaters. Evaluation provides a critical link throughout the production cycle of our shows, educational materials and web site. Front end evaluation looks at each show's "big idea" giving the production team a solid basis from which to proceed in developing show treatments and storyboards. Formative evaluation uses surveys and questionnaires designed to test storyboards and draft scripts. Each show is subjected to rigorous beta testing which includes audience as well as planetarium staff inputs covering all deliverables. Summative evaluation covers case studies and learning outcomes.
4.08-2 Back	Sri Lankan Skies and Sir Arthur T.C. Samaranayaka (Sri Lanka Planetarium) Our vision of the universe has developed over the ages and with the dawn of the new millennium, mankind must understand the true nature of our place in the universe. This could be achieved only by educating the young generation about the astronomical phenomena. The new millennium demands and approach to astronomical education and the proposed conference will discuss this issue in depth and make recommendations for the future, specially taking into consideration the conditions in the developing world. Conference will consist of presentation of papers, discussions, field visits as well as astronomical observations in historic cities with the participation of school children. This will be a unique experience and will be a milestone in the field of astronomical edcation.
4.08-3 Back	"Boldly Go!" - A Producer's Perspective Jon U. Bell (Hallstrom Planetarium) Space is the final frontier. This past winter, IRCC's Hallstrom Planetarium presented "Boldly Go," which explored that topic, taking audiences on a whirlwind tour of the future, as envisioned in the science fiction series, "Star Trek." This sky show was co-written by Hallstrom Planetarium Director Jon U. Bell and Aldrin Planetarium Director Erich Landstrom, and the program was produced by Bell and Hallstrom Planetarium Assistant Kelly Quinn. Show topics included matter teleportation, faster-than-light travel, wormholes, the structure and contents of the Milky Way Galaxy, the possibility of life on other worlds, and how familiar star patterns like Orion the Hunter and the Big Dipper might appear as seen from other vantage points far removed from our home planet. In this paper, Jon Bell discusses some of the technical aspects of producing "Boldly Go!", using video clips from the show.
4.08-4 Back	"Boldly Go!" - A Presenter's Perspective Kelly Quinn (Hallstrom Planetarium) How do you introduce "Boldly Go! - The Science of Star Trek" to an audience expecting a traditional "Sky Tonight" style planetarium show? What is it like to be transformed into a Klingon, and does your personality ever revert completely back to Homo sapiens? Do young audiences who weren't raised on the science fiction stylings of Gene Roddenberry even get it? How do you translate complex concepts into compelling, easily understood visuals? What kinds of displays and exhibits can you create for a sci-fi presentation? How do you overcome the timing difficulties inherent in using live action video, an original soundtrack, and a variety of other sources in your presentation? These are only a few of the questions Hallstrom Planetarium Assistant Kelly Quinn will answer in this discussion of "Boldly Go!" from a presenter's perspective.
4.08-5 Back	Evolution of The Explorers Project Ken Miller (GOTO USA) The Explorers Project, an education partnership between Hawaii's Bishop Museum and NASA, continues to evolve to best serve the planetarium community. Since its beginnings in 1997, it has placed 170 copies of "The Explorers" show kit in US domes at no charge, and now has begun sales internationally. This July, 150 "Explorers of Mauna Kea" show kits will be distributed. Learn how we used input from NASA, astronomers, cultural experts, and planetarium colleagues to create these innovative, interactive shows. See a sneak preview of "Explorers of Mauna Kea" and the next two programs in our series. Then learn how to get one for use in your dome. Come explore with us!
4.08-6 Back	A Sequel to "Where in the Universe is Carmen Sandiego?"™ and a New Public Show with Exciting New Animation and Star Trek's® Jeri Ryan ("Seven of Nine") Dr. William Gutsch (Great Ideas) Using a highly successful model for family and school planetarium programming, a new feature is in production. Just when you thought the universe was safe, that infamous villain, Carmen Sandiego has escaped from prison on Jail House Rock, developed warp drive, and is going after even bigger game… the giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy!! Bill Gutsch and Mark Mercury team up with with some of the best animators around North America plus award TV, film, and recording winners Rita Moreno, Lynne Thigpen, and Rockapella to bring you "Where in the Universe is Carmen Sandiego? - II"™. It's all about stars, nebulae, supernovae, black holes, and more and features more clues, puzzles, songs, and original 3-D animation than the original. In addition, a new planetarium show designed for the general public is being developed in conjunction with the Coca Cola Space Science Center and Discovery Place, Inc. It will feature an original sound track, exciting new Maya animation, Omniscan/Digistar effects, and be narrated by Star Trek's® Jeri Ryan ("Seven of Nine"). A behind the scene look at production for both shows as well as on the conversion of the first Carmen show into Japanese will be given.
Thursday, July 13     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Panel - Marquette
4.09 Back	The Future of the Planetarium Chair: James Manning (Museum of the Rockies); Panelists: Larry Ciupik (Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum), Lee Ann A. Hennig (Jefferson Planetarium - Secretary IPS), Shoichi Itoh (Japan Planetarium Society) & Thomas Kraupe (Art of Sky) I've heard that Albert Einstein once said "I never think of the future. It comes soon enough." But few of us can afford the luxury if we want to be prepared for it. It's worthwhile, therefore, to ask the question: where do we go from here - from where we are right now? There are probably as many answers as there are planetariums, for we work in an extremely diverse profession. Illustrating this diversity is an international panel of our colleagues who will lead the discussion from a variety of viewpoints ranging from technology and programming philosophy to education and economics. Join the discussion, and add your voice to theirs.
Thursday, July 13     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Workshop 1 - Mackenzie
4.10 Back	Creating Panoramas and All-Skies Ervin Bartha (NADA) & Laura Misajet (LM Images) Part 1: Presented by Ervin Bartha of NADA Photographing on-location panoramas and all-skies as demonstrated by Ervin Bartha of NADA. Participants will be shown exactly how to photograph their own 12-part panoramas and 6-part all-skies. Part 2: Presented by Laura Misajet of LM IMAGES Generating seamless digital panoramas and all-skies as demonstrated by Laura Misajet of LM IMAGES using software such as Photoshop and Digidome. Participants will be shown methods of creating spectacular digital panoramas and all-skies. Topics will include, scanning, resolution, layers, rendering and service bureaus.
Thursday, July 13     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Workshop 2 - Matapédia
4.11 Back	Theater Automation Workshop Joyce Towne Huggins (Spitz Inc.) & Garland Stern (Spitz Inc.) Introduction to the principles of theater automation and advanced show programming techniques. Participants will utilize Spitz' ATM-4 to program their own show, incorporating a digital video server, intelligent cove light system, slide projectors and more. Limit: 12 participants
Thursday, July 13     3:30 p.m.--4:45 p.m. Closing Lecture - Duluth
4.12 Back	Astronomy at the Century and Millenium Dr. James B. Kaler