STARLAB

The STARLAB Planetarium is an inflatable mylar dome containing a projector that is used with a variety of cylinders. A description of each of the cylinders can be found below as well as which system contains each set of cylinders. The setup area for each requires a space at least 10 feet high and 12-14 feet across. Beginning the fall of 2007, an all-day inservice on STARLAB use is required before checkout. For reservations, call the Media/Tech Center. Questions about use of the STARLAB, inservice needs or repair questions, call or e-mail Bruce Frana:

STARLAB #1 – The following cylinders are included in this system:

Starfield
The traditional Starfield Cylinder accurately simulates the northern hemisphere night sky. The digitally-produced starfield simulates the night sky at any time, season or location on earth. Over 3,000 stars are projected. Star locations are accurate to within 1 minute of right ascension and 6 minutes of declination. Betelgeuse, Rigel, Antares, Spica, Arcturus, Capella and Pollux appear in full color. Twelve apertures show the position of the sun throughout the year.

Constellations
Using the well-known constellation identification system of H. A. Rey, this cylinder features the 48 major constellations, the ecliptic and celestial equator, colorfully displayed for the ultimate in visual retention. Applications: Star identification, planetary positions and the path of the sun and moon. Useful at all grade levels to facilitate rapid orientation for outdoor observations.

Celestial Coordinates
A full projection of 3000 stars are displayed here against a background of the celestial coordinates, the ecliptic and the galactic equator. Right ascension is marked in 1 hour intervals, declination at 10° intervals, with precessional axis plus or minus 13,000 year increments. This cylinder is extremely useful for angular measurement, location of faint celestial objects and spherical geometry. Applications: Physics, telescope use, positional astronomy, celestial navigation and precession at the middle school/junior high through college level.

Earth
This cylinder is a projection of the entire terrestrial globe including all of the earth's land and ocean masses. Longitude is displayed at intervals of 15º, latitude is displayed every 10º, with a scale of projection of 1 inch = 40 miles. It is superior to flat maps in its total elimination of distortion, and is useful for studying weather patterns, ocean currents, time zones, social studies and current events. This cylinder connects to the study of geography, earth science, geology and navigation.

STARLAB #2 – The following cylinders are included in this system:

Starfield
The traditional Starfield Cylinder accurately simulates the night sky. The digitally-produced starfield simulates the night sky at any time, season or location on earth. Over 3,000 stars are projected. Star locations are accurate to within 1 minute of right ascension and 6 minutes of declination. Betelgeuse, Rigel, Antares, Spica, Arcturus, Capella and Pollux appear in full color. Twelve apertures show the position of the sun throughout the year.

Constellations
Using the well-known constellation identification system of H. A. Rey, this cylinder features the 48 major constellations, the ecliptic and celestial equator, colorfully displayed for the ultimate in visual retention. Applications: Star identification, planetary positions and the path of the sun and moon. Useful at all grade levels to facilitate rapid orientation for outdoor observations.

Earth
This cylinder is a projection of the entire terrestrial globe including all of the earth's land and ocean masses. Longitude is displayed at intervals of 15º, latitude is displayed every 10º, with a scale of projection of 1 inch = 40 miles. It is superior to flat maps in its total elimination of distortion, and is useful for studying weather patterns, ocean currents, time zones, social studies and current events. This cylinder connects to the study of geography, earth science, geology and navigation.

Plate Tectonics
This global projection is based on the work of Dr. Paul D. Lowman on the Continental Drift Theory at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This map shows active ridges, faults, spreading centers and volcanic activity over the past 1 million years. Identification keys are clearly visible, making earth science instruction at middle school/junior high through college levels easy to illustrate. This cylinder fits well with earth science and geology.

Weather
The Weather cylinder depicts the earth's atmospheric circulation patterns including location of the wind systems and jet streams, as well as high and low air pressure masses. This colorful cylinder, in conjunction with A Current Affair, a 20-page curriculum booklet by Gary D. Kratzer, enables students to interactively explore pressure systems, storm systems, longitude and latitude coordinate plotting and other global weather phenomena. Students can even investigate the significance of the wind systems on the routes of early explorers and learn how the jet streams influenced military decisions during World War II. This cylinder adds a new dimension to teaching earth science, weather patterns, the age of exploration, navigation and history.

Biological Cell
This one million-time magnification of a composite cell demonstrates the workings of a one-celled organism. The processes of cellular digestion and reproduction are illustrated in vivid color. Endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, the Golgi complex, secretion vesicle, lysosomes, pinocytotic vesicles, microvilli, cilia, chromosomes and nucleolus are clearly displayed. An identification key is conveniently located on the cylinder. This cylinder would provide an introduction to cellular biology.

The following are web sites of possible interest in the area of astronomy:

Que Tal? in the Current Skies (an Earth in Space Online Monthly Newsletter) is a great resource of astronomical information, star maps, activities, etc. This site is operated by longtime planetarium and astronomy educator, Bob Riddle.

Earth and Sky Homepage with teacher resources, student activities, "tonight's sky" conditions and other information.

Stars and Hubble are the key features for this website which includes information on constellations, stars, the Hubble telescope as well as other detailed information.

The Abrams Planetarium, located at Michigan State University, has the Skywatchers page along with many good links.

Astro Web: Astronomy/Astrophysics on the Internet is a comprehensive compendium of resources and web sites for astronomy.

NASA Homepage is a great entry into spectacular pictures as well as information about space, earth and sky.

Astronomy Links through the Iowa Science Teachers Section of the Iowa Academy of Science. This link provides access to a wide variety of Astronomy topics:  magazines, NASA projects, telescopes, planets, space flight, etc.

The Mid-continent Regional Laboratory (McREL) has links to Astronomy.