Portable planetarium, lecture series, star gazing part of Bradbury Science Museum's fourth Astronomy Days

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206 (00-080)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., June 13, 2000 -- Bradbury Science Museum of the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory is sponsoring several activities in June as part of its fourth Astronomy Days program.

The museum, part of Los Alamos’ Community Relations Office, is hosting six free talks with area scientists and researchers beginning Monday, June 19. There also is a show at Santa Fe Community College’s planetarium, StarLab, an inflatable planetarium operated by the Laboratory’s Science and Technology Base Program Office, and a chance to win tickets to the LodeStar Astronomy Center of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque, said Pat Berger of the museum.

This year, students from the Earthwatch Student Challenge Awards Program are participating in Astronomy Days. Earthwatch is a program that introduces students to the field of astrophysics. All from different backgrounds, the students work with Laboratory staff members in a variety of activities at the Laboratory and Los Alamos’ Fenton Hill Observatory.

The first of the scheduled talks in the museum’s auditorium is given by Ed Fenimore of Los Alamos’ Space and Remote Sensing Sciences Group, who will speak "On the Nature of the Scientific Method." The following evening, June 20, Fenimore will speak on "Gamma-Ray Bursts."

On June 22, Robert Reedy of the Space and Remote Sensing Sciences Group will speak about "Exploration of Mars," while on June 26, Geoff Reeves, will discuss "Northern Lights, Solar Winds, and Magnetic Storms." Reeves is also in the Space and Remote Sensing Sciences Group.

On June 27, University of New Mexico professor Neb Duric will talk about the LodeStar Astronomy Center in Albuquerque. The final talk is on June 29 by Bruce Masse of Los Alamos’ Ecology Group, who will talk on "The Living Sky."

All talks are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m., concluding by 8:30 p.m. or earlier.

Other activities include a show, "Search for Life," at the Santa Fe Community College Planetarium. Planetarium director, Suzanne Chippendale, will show how stars are identified as possible hosts for life on other planets and galaxies. This special show is free and open to the public; and is suited for middle school age through adult. It begins at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, at the college’s Planetarium. Santa Fe Community College is located at 6401 Richards Ave., off Rodeo Road in Santa Fe.

At the conclusion of the museum talk about LodeStar, on June 27, a drawing for free tickets to the Planetarium and Virtual Voyages at LodeStar will be held. Those interested must be present at the drawing to win.

StarLab, an inflatable planetarium, will be set up at the Bradbury Science Museum for shows at different times during this two week period. Call the Museum at 665-0896 to register, or write to pberger@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

"Elementary age through middle school students particularly enjoy this opportunity to crawl into a dark tunnel, sit down and imagine they are outside looking at the heavens," said Berger.

Each show is approximately 25 minutes long and is free. Up to 20 children can be seated at one time, said Berger.

The Bradbury Science Museum is located at 15th Street and Central Avenue in Los Alamos. Museum hours, apart from the special events listed above are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

For more information, contact Berger at 665-0896.