LodeStar Astronomy Center will debut an entirely new line-up of digital dome theater (aka – planetarium) shows Nov. 4. At the center of this schedule, like in the Milky Way Galaxy’s core, lurks a super black hole – a show, that is. Surrounding the new feature show, 'Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity,' will be a new live Enchanted Skies: The Digital Universe show using new state-of-the-art 3D immersive reality tools and astronomical data that’ll fly audiences through our solar system and beyond.
Completing the new cosmic line-up is the return of Wonders of the Universe, the popular feature show co-produced by LodeStar in 2001. All the shows are presented in large-format, immersive, ultra-high digital video on the 55-foot diameter dome screen.
“This new line-up offers the best cinematic and live performance experiences that digital dome theaters/planetariums can offer and we’re excited to present it to New Mexico,” said LodeStar director David Beining.
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity, provides a groundbreaking, scientifically accurate perspective on black holes and the latest compelling evidence that these cosmic curiosities are real. To do so, the show brings audiences on a thrilling ride to the inside of a supermassive black hole and uses real astronomical data to create the stunning visuals.
Liam Neeson narrates the 25-minute show, Donna Cox of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications produced the science visualizations, and longtime documentary filmmaker Thomas Lucas directed the collaborative production. “This show takes something as fascinating and mysterious as black holes, and makes them even more fascinating but entirely understandable, all the while audiences are having a good time,” Beining added.
“Wonders is a stunning show that’s powered by beautiful depictions of the cosmos and a grand and inspiring musical score. We kept the words and concepts clear to allow visitors of all levels to learn something while enjoying truly beautiful pictures and sounds. For us, it’s a masterpiece production and we’re thrilled to bring it back for our visitors,” Beining said.
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. The facility is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information or group reservations call, (505) 841-5955 or visit www.lodestar.unm.edu.
New show schedule effective Nov. 4: Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity & Wonders of the Universe – showings at 12, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Enchanted Skies: The Digital Universe – 10 and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Admission to each show is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 3-12. On opening weekend Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-5, buy one planetarium show, get your second show free. One discount per person.
Beginning Nov. 18, 2006, admission will be $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for children ages 3 to 12. For more information call, 841-5955 or visit: www.lodestar.unm.edu
Notes…
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity was produced through a collaboration of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Spitz, Inc. and the Swift and GLAST Education and Public Outreach Programs at Sonoma State University. The National Science Foundation and NASA provided funding.
Evans & Sutherland produced Wonders of the Universe. LodeStar and Michael Stearns produced the LodeStar soundtrack.
Enchanted Skies shows are produced by LodeStar with support from Sky-Skan, Inc and The Boeing Foundation.
The introduction of DigitalSky2 software marks a radical new way of presenting live planetarium shows and LodeStar visitors can experience tours of night sky like never before in a new version of Enchanted Skies: The Digital Universe starting Nov. 4.
DigitalSky2 is a real-time immersive virtual reality simulator that allows photorealistic flights within our solar system and all the way to the edges of the visible universe. Think of it as a giant flight simulator that includes about two million parts of the known universe, all based on scientific data.
Enchanted Skies: The Digital Universe will show visitors which celestial objects are in tonight’s sky above New Mexico, but then take audiences to visit these worlds close-up by flying through incredibly 3D detailed models of the solar system, star clusters, galaxies beyond our own, and more.
“Planetariums have changed dramatically and LodeStar’s at the cutting-edge of what’s possible. Instead of being limited to what the cosmos look like from here on Earth, now we can take audiences to visit planets, moons, galaxies, and more to see them close up. In the case of the solar system, we can see it in action as moons orbit planets, planets orbit our Sun, etc. I guarantee that 99 percent of our visitors have never been to a planetarium show like these before,” Beining stated.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu