The LodeStar Astronomy Center announces the premiere of a dazzling new planetarium feature, "Passport to the Universe." The cinematic, full-dome production was created by the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, in collaboration with NASA; written by Ann Druyan and Steven Soter, the co-authors of the classic PBS series Cosmos; scored by film composer Stephen Endelman; and narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks.
"Passport to the Universe" debuts in LodeStar's world-class digital theater on Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3. LodeStar's planetarium is equipped with a million-dollar projection system and, at 55 feet in diameter, the biggest screen in New Mexico.
On opening weekend, Passport will play on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Admission to opening weekend shows will be half-price: $3 adults, $2.50 seniors, and $1.50 children ages 3 to 12. Admission includes access to two floors of interactive astronomy exhibits, along with telescope viewing of sunspots on LodeStar's second-floor observing deck.
"Passport to the Universe" is a 20-minute grand tour of the observable universe. In three leaps of scale, the audience explores the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies. The familiarity of Earth's planetary neighbors gives way to a sense of discovery as viewers leave the solar system to float into the depths of the Orion Nebula's glowing gas clouds, passing scores of tadpole-shaped 'proplyds'--cocoons of gas that swaddle infant stars and perhaps even fledgling planets.
The journey continues on outside of the Milky Way, where the sprawling spiral structure of our home galaxy is revealed. Speeding through intergalactic space at millions of light years per second, the audience next sees that the Milky Way is but one galaxy in many in the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies. Finally, the journey ends at the edge of the known universe, and the audience learns that the Virgo Supercluster is but a small knot in a colossal web of galaxies.
"We're thrilled to bring Passport to New Mexico," said David Beining, LodeStar director. "It takes you on a journey that's scientifically and visually accurate, as well as intellectually and artistically unforgettable. You'll never forget when Passport flies you into the star-producing Orion Nebula to witness its beauty and power. The scene is a perfect balance of art and science, blending very sophisticated astronomy research and supercomputing visualizations with a symphonic musical score."
Each Passport show is preceded by a 20-minute live prologue that uses the concept of a 'cosmic address' to help audiences understand their place in the cosmos. The prologue closely examines some of the fascinating celestial objects found in the solar system, Milky Way, and Virgo Supercluster.
LodeStar's presentation of Passport to the Universe is made possible by generous support from Molina Healthcare and the Albuquerque Journal.
The LodeStar Astronomy Center is a University of New Mexico project in partnership with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. LodeStar is located at 1801 Mountain Road NW in Old Town Albuquerque, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information or group reservations, call (505) 841-5955 or visit LodeStar Astronomy Center.
Contacts:Karen Keese, 841-5972 or 261-0040; Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
Posted by scarr at March 31, 2005 12:57 PM