News Archives 2006

NEW!  DISCOVER WHAT’S “UP” AT FLEISCHMANN PLANETARIUM’S GRAND RE-OPENING, OCT. 7, 2006

The community is invited to join the festivities at the Grand Re-Opening of Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with food, fun and prizes. The event is free and open to the public.

Built in 1964, the historic Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno has recently undergone upgrades including the addition of a new state-of-the-art, high-resolution Spitz SciDome 3-D digital projector, new and improved museum exhibits, and new seating for its 30-foot dome theatre, which seats 60. Fundraising is also underway to help cover the purchase of the new projector.

In celebration of additions, improvements and continuing growth, the community is invited to take part in a festive afternoon of kid-friendly food and fun featuring novelty giveaways and balloons, telescope viewing, science-related crafts and games, a grand-prize drawing, outdoor activities and more.

The planetarium’s daily schedule of full-dome digital star shows and large-format feature films will also be available in the Star Theatre. Showings are $5 general admission, $4 for children and seniors.

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is located north of Lawlor Events Center on Virginia and 16th streets, on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, 1.5 miles north of the downtown Reno arch. Free parking is available in the West Stadium Parking Complex, Level 3, just east of the planetarium.

The first planetarium in history to project full-dome movies, Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is now one of the first of a handful of planetariums around the world to utilize the Spitz SciDome digital projector. “It’s a high-resolution, state-of-the-art immersive visualization tool that produces extraordinarily bright and colorful 3-D images,” said Dan Ruby, associate director of the Fleischmann Planetarium. “We’re really excited about the new projector because it’s also adaptable to a number of disciplines and uses, supporting collaborations among the planetarium, other University departments and programs, and community organizations.”

One of the first examples of such a collaboration, The 1st Reno Interdisciplinary Festival of New Media takes place on the University of Nevada, Reno campus in November, sponsored by the University’s Department of Art and Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery. Artists participating in the event will present short-form multimedia video works at Fleischmann Planetarium on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2007, at 7:30 and 9 p.m. For more information about The 1st Reno Interdisciplinary Festival of New Media, visit http://www.unr.edu/art/RIFNM.html or call (775) 784-4ART.

“This collaboration is such an exciting event for us because relatively little has been done in the art world yet with tools like the ones we have available here now. The planetarium’s six-channel surround-sound and 180-degree video open so many opportunities for the artists. We’re excited to be able to collaborate with the Department of Art by lending our technology to what is sure to be a precedent-setting event. The possibilities here are phenomenal,” Ruby said.

An important part of what differentiates the emerging video standard of the planetarium’s new digital projector from many other “full-dome” experiences is that the image comes from just one projector. According to Ruby, in the past several projectors had to run simultaneously to project images around a planetarium dome. Available since 2004, the new projection technology provides a seamless image and is more adaptable, lending itself to many uses.

The new projector also can be used for visualization in science-related subjects including chemistry, physics, atmospheric sciences, biology, geology and astronomy, as well as for other disciplines that lend themselves to 3-D immersive visualization, such as engineering, architecture and art. New applications for the projector may require the development of new intermediate software.

“This projector has amazing capabilities in terms of helping people grasp difficult concepts,” Ruby said. “Spatial concepts that used to be nearly impossible for some to understand can come to light almost instantly through the use of this technology — especially when compared with 2-D images, or a simple lecture.”

Ruby says the planetarium is also working on a project that would make the technologically advanced projector available to children who complete a six-week program designed to help them create their own star shows, culminating in public presentations of their creations in the planetarium theater.

Other planetarium improvements in development include additional hands-on exhibits, a new website, a drivable Mars Rover and a Martian habitat, computer kiosk and cosmetic improvements to the building’s interior. “Our highest priority, now that many improvements have been made, is to raise funds to finish paying for the new projector,” Ruby said. “Building a new observatory and making much-needed large-scale building renovations are also in the works.”

According to Ruby, the planetarium’s projector and 60-seat theater are also available for community and University use by special arrangement.

For more information about the planetarium’s grand re-opening, large-format films and star shows, community outreach programs, birthday parties, museum exhibits, astronomical events, telescope viewing and more, call (775) 784-4812.

Daily through January 7

TRAVEL TO THE DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE IN “BLACK HOLES” AND EXPLORE THE MYSTERIES OF LIFE IN “THE HUMAN BODY” AT FLEISCHMANN PLANETARIUM'S NEW SHOWS AND EXHIBIT

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno presents two new immersive theater experiences featuring the SkyDome 8/70 large-format feature film, “The Human Body,” and the full-dome digital star show, “Black Holes,” playing daily through Jan. 7, 2007.

The speeding impulse of a brain cell racing at 250 miles per hour... the 100-mile trek of a red blood cell through a vast, tangled network of veins and arteries... the miraculous fusion of parental DNA that signals the beginning of life. All these extraordinary everyday events are revealed in stunning detail as you’re taken on a journey through one of the most intriguing frontiers in the universe in Fleischmann Planetarium’s showings of the new SkyDome 8/70 feature film, “The Human Body.”

Also available through Jan. 7, an interactive hands-on exhibit exploring human physiology is offered in conjunction with “The Human Body” large-format feature film. The interactive exhibition invites visitors to examine how the body functions, with nine hands-on stations and a close-up look at technologies used to navigate internal frontiers.

View x-rays of bone structures, test your reaction to stimuli, take a virtual 3-D “fly-through” of the body, use thermology to map heat generation, compare animal and human hearing and more in this interactive exhibit. The exhibit is free and open daily during planetarium hours.

“Black Holes” takes you on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe. What is a black hole? Where do they come from? Where do they go? How do we find them? Is there one on Earth’s horizon? Explore the latest discoveries in show utilizing the latest in full-dome 3-D animation technology. Narrated by John de Lancie (“Q” from various “Star Trek” series).

Also showing through Jan. 7, 2007, at Fleischmann Planetarium:

“Dark Side of the Moon,” Pink Floyd’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece, is re-created in full-color animation for an unforgettable high-definition, full-dome video experience -- a new digital revolution in sight and sound.

In “The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” audiences climb aboard a magical cardboard rocket with two young adventurers to experience a breathtaking, up-close look at each of our solar system’s planets. Discover the secret to making this seemingly impossible trip to the edges of the universe and back, and gain a new sense of wonder about space along the way.

“DarkStar Adventure” follows the adventures of Subrah and her robot helper, Sweeps, on an unforgettable voyage of discovery as they unravel a cosmic riddle, witness the awesome power of a supernova, explore the heart of a gaseous nebula, visit exotic pulsars and learn to keep a safe distance from a black hole. With a cast of animated characters and thrilling special effects, this exciting combination of science and imagination is fun for the whole family.

Click here for more show information.

• NEW! Summer 2006 Science Mornings  pdf >>

• NEW! Summer 2006 Toddler Mornings  pdf >>

 Copyright © 2009.  UCCSN University of Nevada, Reno.  All rights reserved.  Updated: November 11, 2009.  Maintained by: planetarium@unr.edu.