About Us

Press Room

Media Contact: David Perry, (415) 864-6397
news@davidperry.com

Chabot Space & Science Center
"Your Place in the Universe"

Calendar of Events (Issued Nov. 1, 2001)

December 2001 - March 2002

Ask Jeeves Planetarium | Observatory | Tien MegaDome Theater | Weekend Spotlight | Lectures & Events | Education | Exhibits

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 SPACE & SCIENCE CENTER — Indoor stargazing in Planetarium, outdoor viewing through telescopes, daily screenings in Tien MegaDome Theater, interactive exhibits and learning center. Ongoing exhibits: Planetary Landscapes: Sculpting the Solar System; Your Place in the Universe; Astronomy in California 1850-1950; Solar-B; Shadow Dance. Open Tues. - Sun. 10am-5pm. Ask Jeeves Planetarium and Tien MegaDome Theater, daytime screenings weekdays; evening screenings Fri. - Sat. 7pm-9pm. Observatory hours Fri. - Sat. 7pm-10pm. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (501) 336-7300. www.chabotspace.org

Ask Jeeves Planetarium

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.

December 2001 – March 2002 Planetarium shows:

The Christmas Sky -- (December 1 – 31) -- After viewing the stars and constellations visible during December, planetarium audiences will explore astronomical phenomena that could have been interpreted as the "Star of Bethlehem." (40 min.)

Legends of the Night Sky -- (through December 30) -- Join Aesop, the 3000-year-old owl, as he tells the story of Perseus and Andromeda. These two famous constellations are part of a thrilling tale of a brave hero, a beautiful maiden, and mystical creatures. This cartoon-like planetarium show tells the mythology of the star patterns we find above our heads. (35 min)

Other Worlds! Other Beings? -- (through December 30) -- If aliens really are out there, what would they be like? Join a team of scientists in their search for other worlds and their thinking inhabitants.Written and developed by the SETI Institute. 

Destiny of the Stars -- (opens January 5) -- The lives of the stars unfold before us in the winter sky, from star birth to star death, including a final look at the fate of our own sun.. (40 min.)

Follow the Drinking Gourd -- (February 1 –28) -- In honor of Black History Month, this video projection on the Planetarium dome traces how stars were used to guide the Underground Railroad, a secret network of people and places that hid escaping slaves on their dangerous journey to freedom. Among the Railroad conductors was a sailor named Peg Leg Joe, who taught the slaves a seemingly harmless folk song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd." Hidden in the lyrics were directions for following the Underground Railroad. The Drinking Gourd refers to the Big Dipper, which points to the North Star--and the road to freedom. (In February, Tuesday - Friday at 1pm)

The Sky Tonight -- (Ongoing) -- Take a live tour of the starry sky visible above your head on the night of your visit. The Show includes a look at constellations, planets, and special celestial objects. Telescope viewing is included with the program. Bring binoculars to observe the stars in the planetarium and in the sky outdoors. (40 min.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm)

Starbound: A Sky for All Seasons -- (through June) -- A journey through the jewels of the night – the stars – as we follow the earth's motion around the Sun. Featured in the show are prominent constellations of the four seasons and the cosmic treasures they contain. (40 min.)

Wonders of the Milky Way -- (through June) -- This tour of the Milky Way galaxy, beginning with its formation billions of years ago, includes a magnificent view of our galaxy's contents as seen from the vantage point of our Solar System, as well as wonders discovered by modern astronomy. The show's scenes and special effects are all set to beautiful music. (40 min.)

Observatory

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

Telescope Makers' Workshop
Fridays, 7 pm - 10 pm (major holidays excluded)
Founded in 1967, the Telescope Makers' Workshop is an all-volunteer group committed to helping people build their own telescopes. Bring your interest and curiosity -- they provide the knowledge, enthusiasm and advice to help you complete your telescope-making projects. No experience necessary. For information call 510-336-7368 or visit www.chabotspace.org/visit/telescopeworkshop.asp.

Sky Calendar for the Coming Months:

December 2001

• Dec. 14 will show us a partial Solar Eclipse as the Moon's shadow causes an annular eclipse in parts of the Pacific. The Bay Area will see a partial eclipse.
• There will be a partial lunar eclipse during the morning of Dec. 30, in the hours just before dawn.
• The brightest Saturn in almost three decades will dominate the evening sky until Jupiter rises a few hours later. The ringed planet is coming up to its maximum tilt to Earth's view and its rings are shown to us at their best view.
• The occultation of Saturn will occur on Dec. 28 as the ringed planet slides behind the dark limb of the almost full Moon. 

January 2002

• Saturn and Jupiter continue to shine as a bright pair in the evening sky. Due to Earth's orbit we are now viewing Saturn's rings fully open, making the planet its brightest in thirteen years.
• Both Saturn and Jupiter will skim by the brightening Moon towards the end of the month, Saturn just 0.2 degrees south on the 24th and Jupiter 0.9 degrees south of the a nearly Full Moon on the 26th.

February 2002

• Chinese New Year coincides with the New Moon on the 12th.
• Once again Saturn and Jupiter will dance with the Moon, this time during First Quarter Phase, Saturn only 0.2 degrees south on the 21st, and Jupiter 0.9 degrees south on the 23rd.

March 2002

• Mars says goodbye to us after a brilliant show over the past year, fading now into the sunset soon after the setting Sun. Its next opposition won't be until 2003 as it stays in the Sun's glare for most of 2002.
• Vernal Equinox, marking the first day of Spring, is on the 20th.

Films in the Tien MegaDome Theater

The Living Sea -- Take an action-packed journey to the depths of the oceans. Swim with jellyfish and whales, and meet strange creatures living on the bottom of the sea. The underwater wonders of our planet are explored in this film produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films, in association with Nauticus - The National Maritime Center, the Ocean Film Network, White Oak Associates, Inc., and Dr. Robert Ballard.

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, featuring live images of the Sun and footage from around the world of solar observatories past, present and future. 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.  (approx. 40 min.) 

Weekend Spotlight

Star Wars: Art of the Starfighter 
thru December 30, 2001

Floor activities in Star Wars: Art of the Starfighter exhibition (continuous while exhibit open)

• Bubble Domes & Bottom's Up -- Make your own version of the Naboo underwater settlements.

Hands-On Activities, Teacher Resource Center, 12:30 – 2 pm; 2:30 – 4 pm

Weekend drop-in workshops are designed to complement the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, Star Wars: Art of the Starfighter. Explore aspects of the Star Wars movies in weekend workshops that offer activities related to the Naboo Starfighter featured in the exhibition, involving both science and imagination. The activities, which alternate from weekend to weekend, include: 

• Imagination Factory -- Create starships, robots, or a planet landscape from ordinary junk
• Planet Books -- Create a planet and design your own book about it!
• Flip Books and Magnets -- Make a refrigerator magnet or a flip book based on Star Wars
• Make-and-take Star Wars -- A variety of Star Wars objects and characters to make and take home

Demonstrations, Physics/Chemistry classroom; 15-minute demonstrations at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30

• The Magic of Lasers -- See the inside of our see-through laser and learn more about how lasers work and what they do 
• Earth to Moon Scale -- Scale models like the ones in Star Wars: The Art of the Starfighter are helpful for talking about our Earth-Moon system 

Constellations
January 5 thru March 2002
Weekends: 12:30 pm – 2 pm, 2:30 pm – 4 pm

Come explore our featured constellation each weekend! Construct a three-dimensional model of the constellation to show the distances to stars, or make up your own picture and story for how the group of stars came to be in the sky. You can also make a star wheel to take home, and learn how to find the constellation of the day (and others!) in the sky. 

 

January 5-6	Andromeda
January 12-13	Perseus
January 19-20	Taurus
January 26-27	Cassiopeia
February 2-3	Andromeda
February 9-10	Perseus
February 16-17	Orion
February 23-24	Cassiopeia
March 2-3	Perseus
March 9-10	Taurus
March 16-17	Orion
March 23-24	Cassiopeia
March 30-31	Leo

Lectures

2001-2002 Distinguished Lecturer Series
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Tien MegaDome Theater 
Tickets: $5.00

Each lecture is preceded with an overture of classical music chosen by the evening's lecturer. A reception with refreshments follows the lecture.

December 13, 2001
Dr. Jeff Bennett, University of Colorado, Boulder
"On The Cosmic Horizon"
Dr. Bennett will speak on the ten outstanding unsolved problems in astronomy, from the Universe's missing mass to gamma ray bursters. The lecture takes place in the Tien MegaDome Theater, and is followed by a reception.

January 17, 2002
Dr. Nancy Clandon, International Dark Sky Association
This lecture is sponsored by the Golden Gate Chapter of the Illuminating Engineers of America

February 21, 2002 -- Speaker TBA

March 21, 2002
Dr. Gibor Basri, University of California, Berkeley
"What is a Planet?"

April 18, 2002
Dr. George Smoot, Physics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab 
"Harmonics of the Universe: the Latest Findings of the BOOMERANG & MAXIMA Experiments"

2002 Lecture Series in Education

Connections and Collaborations: Classroom Practices and Research Innovations 
Tuesday, March 19, 2002, 6:00 pm, free

A talk by Dr. Paul Doherty of the Exploratorium. Dr. Doherty is Director of the Teacher Institute and author of The Exploratorium Snackbook and will present a hands-on exploration of magnetism in the Solar System. 
Refreshments from 5 - 5:30, with the presentation to follow. Open to educators and the public. 
RSVP to (510) 336-7395. 

Music

Pacific Boys Choir
December 15, 2001 — Ask Jeeves Planetarium
Concerts at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm (free with Planetarium admission) 

One night only, on the evening of December 15, the Pacific Boys Choir performs two concerts in the Planetarium prior to the Planetarium's special holiday program "The Christmas Sky." 

Music Under the Stars with Dmitri Matheny and Friends 
Friday, March 29, 2002 — Ask Jeeves Planetarium
Reception at 7 pm; Concert at 8 pm 
(There will be no regular planetarium shows that evening.)

Join Dmitri Matheny and Friends at this first in a series of quarterly Music Under The Stars concerts at Chabot for the 2002 season. For information call (510) 336-7385.

Education

Adult Astronomy Class
Tuesdays, February 5 – March 12, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, $55 members, $65 nonmembers

A six-week astronomy course designed especially for adults who are curious about the universe surrounding them & want to learn more! This non-mathematical class will cover constellations, the Solar System, Stars, Galaxies & the Universe. Historical conceptions & modern research will also be discussed. The course will utilize the Ask Jeeves Planetarium & Observatories. To register, call 510-336-7368.

Training Sessions in Starry Night Pro Astronomy Software
Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00–12:30 pm; 1:00–1:30 pm; 2:00–2:30 pm
Computer Lab, Ages 8 & Up
(free with General Admission) 

Do you want to explore the variety of objects in the night sky? Starry Night Pro software training will get you started as a desktop astronomer. Chabot Space & Science Center is pleased to offer 30-minute introductory workshops in our Computer Lab every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 pm. Completion of the training entitles you to a substantial discount on Starry Night software in our gift shop. Sign up for your training session at least one hour in advance in the Computer Lab. 

Discovery Club
every other Wednesday, 3:30 to 4:45pm, free, pre-registration necessary

December 5 and 19
January 9 and 23
February 6 and 20
March 6 and 20
April 3 and 17
May 1 and 15

The Discovery Club is an after school workshop where children ages 5–7 can meet new friends, brainstorm, problem-solve, design, create and explore scientific processes. Activities focus on astronomy and the theme "Our Place in the Universe." Workshops include: Living Together Here On Our Planet Earth; The Sun: Our Closest Star; The Milky Way and Beyond; Cosmic Debris; Wonders of Water, and other themes. Children will take part in activities like Mountain Building, Musical Toys, Designing Homes on Other Planets, Cooking and Gardening. At the end of the academic year, the children will celebrate with a party where they will receive a certificate for participating in one or more Club meetings. To register, call 510-336-7362.

Educational Travel
March 12 – 17, 2002 — Capture the Aurora! 
A travel adventure to Alaska dedicated to observing and photographing the aurora borealis. Space is limited. For more information, call 510-336-7345.

Challenger Learning Center

Community Missions
Available to the public on the second Saturday of each month, 11 am -12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3 pm. Missions are open to adults and youth ages 11 and up. Space is limited. Cost is $15 per person ($12 members). Call 510-336-7355 for reservations and information, or email clc@chabotspace.org.

Rendezvous with Comet Halley 
Saturday, December 8, 11 am -12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Saturday, January 12, 11 am -12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Saturday, February 9, 11 am -12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Saturday, March 9, 11 am -12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3 pm

Experience real-time simulated space missions as sophisticated technology puts you in Mission Control or on an orbiting space station. The scenario: Participate as a mission specialist and a mission controller in a "Rendezvous with Comet Halley" mission. Your mission is to:

1. Locate Comet Halley
2. Build and launch a probe into the tail of the comet
3. Continue research studies on board the space station 

PACCT Discovery Missions
For teams of adults and children ages 11 and older. Cost is $45 per adult/child team.

Saturday, December 1, 10 am -2:30 pm
Saturday, January 9, 10am – 2:30 pm
Saturday. March 2, 10am – 2:30 pm

The scenario: You will work together as a team to design, build, and present a proposal to NASA for a STARDUST spacecraft. Before flying your "Comet" mission, your team will conduct flight readiness test and participate in a remote navigation simulation to see if your design is ready for launch. Then you are off to rendezvous with a comet!

Exhibits 

Traveling Exhibits

Star Wars: Art of the Starfighter -- through January 6, 2002. West Coast Premiere of new Smithsonian traveling exhibit. The centerpiece is a full scale, 35-foot Naboo Starfighter used in the making of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The exhibit also features interactive games, a documentary on the use of models in filmmaking, educational activities from Lucas Learning, and the popular new Sony PlayStation 2 game "Star Wars Starfighter," from LucasArts Entertainment Company. Star Wars: Art of the Starfighter was organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES) and the Smithsonian Affiliations in conjunction with Lucasfilm Ltd.

Spaceflight Gallery -- (opening in January). Visitors will discover the connections between human exploration, scientific endeavor, and the historical accomplishments of space flight, by experiencing both simulated and real features. Come experience how human exploration and scientific endeavor has brought us to a dynamic point in space flight history.

Zeiss exhibit — (opening in December). A display by the noted German manufacturer of telescopes, and other stargazing equipment, including Chabot's Zeiss Universarium Starball in the Planetarium.

Ongoing Exhibits

Planet Trek -- You're at the controls as you blast off for a multimedia tour of our Solar System. Choose your destination, view planetary landscapes and learn about asteroids, moons and planets as you journey through space.

Our 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 touch these ancient remnants of the birth of the solar system.

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. 

Touch the Sun -- (Opening winter 2002) 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. Chabot's new solar research telescope formerly served on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.

[ Hours & Ticket information ]

[ Directions ]

###