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About Us |
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Press RoomMedia Contact: David Perry, (415) 864-6397 Chabot Space & Science Center Calendar of Events Ask Jeeves Planetarium | Observatory | Tien MegaDome Theater | Weekend Spotlight | Lectures & Events | Exhibits This document and all Chabot Space & Science Center news releases may be found online at www.chabotspace.org under Press Room. Calendar editors — Our hours have changed! See below... Following is a sample calendar listing for Chabot Space & Science Center — under "Science & Technology," "Nature," "Things To Do," or "Attractions." Please also consider listing Chabot events under "Kids," "Films" and "Lectures."
Chabot's Ask Jeeves Planetarium brings the night sky to life! More than 9,000 stars are projected overhead by our fiber-optic Zeiss Universarium Mark VIII star-ball, one of the most advanced star projectors in the world. Additional special effects simulate eclipses, supernovae, black holes, and other celestial events, and a laser system brings constellations and other objects to life, augmented by a 15,000-watt, 6-channel surround-sound system. The Ask Jeeves Planetarium seats 240 people under a 70-foot diameter dome, and features live and pre-recorded shows. Led by professional astronomers and accompanied by music, planetarium shows at Chabot Space & Science Center are both entertaining and educational. June - August 2001 Planetarium shows: The Sky Tonight: A guided tour of the current stars, constellations, and planets presented live by Chabot's Director of Astronomy Jose Olivarez. Following the program, audience members can search the night sky through the historic telescopes in the Chabot Observatories. (40 min.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm) Wonders of the Milky Way: A tour of the Milky Way galaxy that begins with its formation billions of years ago, includes a magnificent view of its contents as seen from the vantage point of our Solar System as well as the wonders that have been discovered by modern astronomy. The show’s scenes and special effects are all set to beautiful music. (40 min.) Mars Quest: (through August 3) Delve into our history and fascination with the Red Planet, from Martian superstition to plans for manned Mars missions. Narrated by Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame. (40 min.) Cosmic Catastrophes: (begins August 6) Mass extinctions have occurred throughout Earth’s history. Through the eyes of a hypothetical alien race, Cosmic Catastrophes examines the probable causes of these events, as well as the possibility of similar events occurring in modern times. (40 min.) June 1 – June 18, 2001 Planetarium schedule
June 19 – August 3, 2001 Planetarium schedule
August 4 – August 31, 2001 Planetarium schedule
Discover stars, planets, and colorful nebulae clearly visible in the night sky with Chabot's powerful refractor telescopes. The impressive 20" telescope, named Rachel, is the largest refractor in the western U.S. regularly open to the public. The 8" Alvan Clark refractor, named Leah, is the original 1883 instrument donated by founder Anthony Chabot. Telescopes are open for free public viewing Friday and Saturday, 7pm-10pm Sky Calendar for the Coming Months: Sunspots: 2001 is the peak of the eleven-year sunspot cycle. When solar flares occur, there is a possibility one might see the aurora borealis from a dark location. A telescope specifically designed for safe solar viewing will often show sunspots—cooler stormy areas that look dark by comparison. Mars: This is the year for Mars, with the best viewing since 1988. It will appear largest in June when it will rise at sunset and appear orange-gold in the summer evening sky. By mid-month, look to the east minutes after sunset. On June 16 look for the Moon rising not far to the left of Mars. It will continue to glow brightly throughout July in the southeast at sunset. On July 19 you will see it near Anatres, a star with its own reddish color. It will continue to dominate the evening sky through August where it will appear in the south embedded in the Milky Way. On August 26 a first quarter Moon will pass above and to the Southwest of the Red Planet 45 minutes after sunset. Chabot will have one telescope aimed at Mars whenever it is high enough above the horizon. Venus: Venus will be visible in the morning sky. Around June 8 it appears half-illuminated when viewed through a small telescope. On the morning of July 15 it will be near Saturn and on July 17 the Moon will pass in front of it. As seen from Oakland, this will last from approximately 10:11 am to 11:51 am. The beginning and end of this event should be visible in a small telescope. A celestial dance with the most spectacular of ballets will occur before dawn on July 17. The sparkling Pleiades will rise first, followed by a close cluster consisting of red Alderban, a thin crescent Moon, Saturn and, brightest of all, Venus. Trace eastward and find Jupiter and the fainter Mercury clearing the horizon just before the dawn glow. The planets Uranus and Neptune may both be seen as small disks through a telescope for much of the summer. June 21 is the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. A few hours later there is a total solar eclipse visible across southern portions of Africa. (Not visible in California.) The annual Perseid meteor shower peaking the morning of August 12 and 13 will be hindered somewhat by a last-quarter Moon, but may still be worth watching after midnight. Meteor showers are best observed well away from city lights. Moon phases: Watch the Moon from when it appears as a thin crescent in the early evening a couple of days after “new”, and until it is lost in the morning glare a couple of days before “new.” Maximum detail is seen when there are shadows. It looks very flat around “full.” At Chabot, we usually have one telescope showing the Moon for a week or so around first quarter. Check out Chabot's Virtual Observatory at www.chabotspace.org Films in the Tien MegaDome Theater Four large-screen films are showing June - August 2001: Mysteries of Egypt: Experience the magic and majesty of Egypt as never before. Soar over the great pyramids of Giza, cross the deathly quiet Valley of the Kings, and descend into the shadowy chambers of the sacred tomb of King Tutankhamun. (38 min.) Solarmax: The story of humankind's struggle to understand the Sun. Travel around the world to historical sites of sun worship, learn from scientists studying the Sun, and view a total solar eclipse. West Coast Premiere. (40 min.) To Be An Astronaut: Follow the rigors of astronaut training, the frantic countdown of missions, and the heart-stopping launch into space. Shot entirely on location at NASA.(23 min.) Antarctica: The film transports viewers to the mysterious icy expanse of the highest, driest and coldest continent, home of penguins, seals and other exotic life forms. (38 min.) June 1 – 18, 2001 Tien MegaDome Theater screenings:
June 19 – July 5, 2001 Tien MegaDome Theater screenings:
July 6 – August 3, 2001 Tien MegaDome Theater screenings:
August 4 – August 31, 2001 Tien MegaDome Theater screenings:
Astronaut Training Camp Learn more about the strange effects that humans experience in orbit and beyond by participating in our activities. You can see what it feels like to wear a space suit, or simulate the disorientation of not knowing which way is up. Other weekend days will focus on eating in space, or -- everyone's favorite -- using the bathroom in space. It will be out of this world! The following activities are offered on a drop-in basis (participants may wander in and out any time): Equilibrium Training, Space Environment Training, Space Suit Training, Space Station Training, Planetary Training, and Weightlessness Training.
Rockets Investigate rockets and how they work. You will make and launch simple rockets to introduce you to the science of rocketry. A sample of the drop-in workshops offered:
For more information call (510) 336-7300 or visit www.chabotspace.org African Eclipse Experience at Chabot Space & Science Center
Meet Dr. Mae C. Jemison
Challenger Learning Center Community Missions Wander through a kaleidoscope of whirling galaxies and stars to the outer reaches of the universe. Explore natural processes and patterns like craters, volcanoes, and atmospheric turbulence with hands-on exhibits. All in the Galleries at Chabot Space & Science Center. Opening Soon Shadow Dance — Partner up to create different types of solar and lunar eclipses. Activate sensors on the exhibit floor, discover the science behind an eclipse, and learn about eclipse myths, rituals and celebration found in many world cultures. This multimedia experience changes each time you visit. (New permanent exhibit opening in May.) Project Mercury — May 1 – September 30 — View a replica of the first spacecraft to launch the first Americans into space and learn about the history and mission of this important space pioneer. On loan from the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe — June 2 – August 12 — Tour the universe through the eye of the Hubble Space Telescope and experience other planets, exploding stars, ancient galaxies and black holes. Learn about the telescope, its history and purpose, its anatomy and operation and how astronauts fix it and keep it maintained. A traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Touch the Sun — Coming this summer — View live images of the sun projected by the Solar Telescope onto a surrounding wall, watch solar movies, explore the nature of light, learn about sun mythology of ancient cultures , and find out about real-time solar energy usage from the Science Center’s solar panels. Ongoing Exhibits Your Place in the Universe — This feast for the senses uses 3-D technologies to give visitors a walking tour of the universe. The exhibit includes the fascinating Hologlobe, a dynamic holographic projection of the Earth's changing atmosphere, oceans, and continents, on permanent loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Planetary Landscapes: Sculpting the Solar System — Fourteen interactive sculptures, created by renowned artist Ned Kahn, suggest the natural processes that form the landscapes of our Solar System. Wander through a room of swirling atmospheres, bubbling calderas, and a sea of clouds. Astronomy In California 1850 – 1950: Telescope Makers, Telescopes, and Artifacts — Explore California's rich astronomical history and Chabot Observatory's own 117-year history through a display of telescopes, artifacts, and the histories of their makers, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. The Origin and Meaning of Meteorites — This stunning mural by artists Joy Day and B. E. Johnson is accompanied by a case of meteorite samples, where visitors can view these ancient remnants of the birth of the solar system. [ Hours & Ticket information ] [ Directions ] ### | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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