The Planetarium is a sky theater where it is possible to simulate the night sky at any place on Earth at any time of the year.  Programs presented during the year explore topics such as constellations, planets, galaxies and black holes. Various audiovisual special effects enhance the presentations. In the planetarium concepts can be demonstrated in ways that are impossible in a classroom. This is especially true of three-dimensional concepts like seasons. For teachers this translates into enhanced learning for their students and a more efficient use of conventional classroom time.

The planetarium can seat 70 persons.  There is no admission charge.  The planetarium operates from September through the end of April, except during university vacations and examination periods.  Program times are Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The planetarium is closed during the summer months.

Planetarium Programs

Teachers can select from several program options. These are arranged by grade level. The grade levels assigned are based on experience and the Indiana Academic Standards. These grade assignments should be viewed only as a guide. The classroom teacher is best suited to make the proper program choice for his/her students.

For all ages:

• Live Sky-Show Presentation:  (This is the only option for classes larger than 40 that also wish to tour the observatory.) This includes concepts such as constellations, the daily motion of the sky, and the planets currently visible.  The subject level and topics covered are adjusted to the background of the class and the requests of the teacher.

The following programs are designed to specifically address Indiana Academic Standards:

For Grades 2 & 3:

• The Sky:  An introduction to the planetarium and topics including seasonal patterns, the day/night cycle, apparent motions of the Moon and Sun, lunar phases and the stars at night. This program is specifically designed to address IndianaStateEducation Science Standards (2.3.1), (3.3.1), (3.3.2), (3.3.3) and (3.3.4).

For Grade 4:

• Images of the Infinite:  Since its deployment in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided us with spectacular awe-inspiring images and enriched our understanding of the Universe. These images help scientists to document the lifecycle of stars. The Hubble Deep Field image has provided scientists with one of the deepest core samples ever taken of the Universe. This program highlights the history and top science findings of the telescope, as well as taking you on a tour through the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy and to the limits of the visible universe using spectacular Hubble images. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Social Science Standards: (4.1.5), (4.4.7), (5.1.4), (5.3.1), (6.1.2), (6.3.1), (6.3.2), (6.3.3), (7.3.1), (7.3.2), (7.3.19), (8.1.1), (ES.1.2), (ES1.4), (ES.1.6), (ES.1.8).

• The Earth in Space:  The program covers the same topics as The Sky program (for grades 2 &3) but in greater depth and uses computer graphics to move to an outer space perspective to explain the motions and cycles in sky in terms of the space motions of the Earth. The students are shown that the Moon is visible both at night and during the day. This program is specifically designed to address IndianaStateEducation Science Standards (4.3.1) and (4.3.8).

For Grades 5 and 6:

• Gravity and Orbits:  This program tells of gravity and how it gives planets their shape. Gravity holds us all to the Earth and it causes all objects to attract pull on each other without touching. Gravity also causes the planets to orbit the Sun and the Moon to orbit the Earth. For this reason the planets and Moon appear to move in the night sky.   This program is specifically designed to address IndianaStateEducation Science Standards (5.3.6), (5.3.7), (5.3.13), (6.3.2) and (6.3.3).
   

For Grade 6:

• The Reason for the Seasons:  There are many misconceptions about the causes to the seasons. This is also an especially difficult concept to teach in a conventional classroom. The multimedia planetarium is the ideal place for your students to learn about seasons. This program is specifically designed to address IndianaStateEducation Science Standard (6.3.5).

The following programs are designed for general audiences but address or relate to the Indiana Academic Standards:

For K –Grade 2:

(Note: The planetarium can be a scary room for small children. In this program the room only briefly gets fully dark.)

• Larry Cat in Space*†:  This is the story of a cat that is a stowaway on a trip to the Moon. Concepts taught are gravity, weightlessness, and the Moon. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (K.1.1), (K.1.2) and (1.1.4).

For Grades 3 - 6:

• Honey I Shrunk the Solar System*:  Abby decides to enter her school's science fair competition. Since she loves the stars and planets she decides to build a model solar system. She quickly learns that even a shrunken solar system will not fit in the school gymnasium. In fact it is still so large that Abby's dad must explore it by bicycle! This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards  (3.6.3), (5.3.3), (6.3.1), (6.3.3) and (6.3.4).            

                     
For Grades 4 and up:

• Daughter of the Stars*:  The earliest inhabitants of North America had legends about the sky quite different from their Mediterranean and Asian counterparts. This program showcases a number of these legends from tribes across the entire continent. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Social Science Standard (3.1.1).

• Comets are Coming! †:  This program deals with the nature of comets, famous comets in history, and the extinction of dinosaurs by a comet impact with the earth. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (4.1.4), (4.1.5), (5.1.3), (5.3.11), (6.3.3), (6.4.10), (7.3.3), (8 .3.1), (8.3.17), (ES.1.1) and (ES.1.7).

• In Search of New Worlds†:  For the first time in human history we know with certainty that other stars have planets. This program deals with how these new worlds were discovered and what they may be like. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (4.1.2), (4.1.4), (4.1.5), (5.1.1), (5.1.4), (5.3.11), (6.1.2), (6.3.4), (6.4.10), (8.3.16) and (ES.1.1).

• Ring World†:  On July 1, 2004 the Cassini Space Probe slipped into orbit about the planet kto Earth. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (4.1.4), (4.1.5), (4.4.7)(5.1.4), (5.3.11), (6.1.2), (6.1.6), (6.1.7), (6.3.1), (8.1.1, (ES.1.6), (ES.1.7) and (ES.1.8).

For Grades 5 and up:

• Orion Rendezvous: A Star Trek  Voyage of Discovery† :  LaVar Burton, who plays Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generationâ, takes the audience to fascinating locations in our galaxy including the Orion Nebula, the Castor star system, and the site of a dead star. While the means of "travel" is purely science fiction the information about the sites visited is scientifically accurate. This program addresses or relates to IndianaStateEducation Science Standards (5.3.3), (ES.1.1), (ES.1.2) and (ES.1.3).

• The Explorers of Mauna Kea:  Mauna Kea is the large volcanic mountain on the big island of Hawaii. The mountain has great historical significance to the Hawaiian people. It has now become the site of the worlds largest optical telescopes the are exploring the depth of space. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (5.1.3), (5.1.4), (5.3.1), (6.1.5), (6.1.7), (7.3.4), (8.3.2), (ES.1.1), (ES.1.2), (ES.1.3), (ES.1.4), (ES.1.6) and (ES.1.8)

For Grades 6 and up:

• NEW! The Planets: Come along on a trip through the solar system and see the Grand Canyon of Mars, the stunning rings of Saturn and visit Pluto where the Sun is just another bright star in the night sky. The Sun and its array of planets, moons and comets is just one example of countless such systems in our galaxy. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (6.3.1), (6.3.3), (6.3.4), (ES.1.1).

• The Explorers†:  Exploration is the hallmark of our species. Curiosity drives us to venture into the unknown. This program provides a unique look at human exploration of the Pacific Ocean by Polynesian people and the coming human exploration of Mars. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (6.1.1), (6.1.5), (7.1.5), and Social Studies (7.1.13), (7.1.21) and (7.5.3).  

For Grades 7 and up:

• Galaxies† :  This program was written and narrated by award-winning science writer Timothy Ferris. The viewer is taken on a journey through the Milky Way and the galaxies beyond to explore the Universe and our place in it. This program addresses or relates to Indiana State Education Science Standards (5.1.4), (7.3.1), (7.3.2), (ES.1.1), (ES.1.4) and (ES.1.5).

______________________________________________________________

*Sponsored by a grant from the Indiana Space Grant Consortium (NASA).

† Teacher's guide available.

Observatory Visits

The Ball State University Observatory contains telescopes of various sizes that can provide views of the moon, bright planets, nebulae and stars. School groups often schedule daytime visits, although the stars are not visible during the day. However, the students can see telescopes of different types and how they operate. This relates directly to Indiana State Education Science Standards (4.1.5), (5.1.4), (5.3.1), (6.1.5) and (6.1.7).

The observatory can hold only 40 people at a time and it is not accessible to people who can not climb stairs.  Please dress appropriately; the temperature of the observatory is the same as that outside.

A portable telescope can be used for demonstrations in the planetarium in those cases where an observatory visit is not practical. Please request this in advance.

How to register for a Planetarium/Observatory Visit:  The planetarium is available Monday through Friday at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm, September through April. Reservations can be made by calling:  765-285-8871 or on the web at:  www.bsu.edu/planetarium

A written confirmation will be sent by mail.

Cost:  The Ball State University Planetarium visit is free of charge. The only cost is the transportation.

Location:  The planetarium is located in the Cooper Science Building (24 on campus map) in room CP 90.  All visits begin there (even observatory tours).

Campus Parking:  Campus parking is rather limited so please read the following suggestions and consult the campus map.

• School busses may unload in front of the Cooper Science Building on Riverside Avenue. The bus can stay there until its passengers return, provided the driver remains with the bus. If the driver wishes to visit the planetarium the bus should be parked in the lot south of Christy Woods (labeled "evening parking" on the map).

• Cars and Vans may unload in front of the Cooper Science Building and then park. Possible parking places include city streets, such as along Riverside Avenue north of Christy Woods, and the metered parking lot on University Avenue (next to building 42 on campus map). If your group is coming in multiple vehicles, plan to call Sandy Pyle at Parking Services (765-285-1213) for assistance.

How Long are the Presentations?  The presentations are designed so the total time in the building is one hour or less.

Is There a Place for Children to Eat Lunch?  There are no eating areas in the Cooper Science Building. If the weather is nice, the large grassy area to the south of the Cooper Science Building is available. There is a large eating area and food court in the Student Center (63 on campus map) and the Atrium in the Art and Journalism Building (1 on campus map).

What if Your Class is Larger Than the Seating Capacity?  The seating capacity of the Planetarium is limited to about 70 adults. Larger groups can be accommodated by splitting them between the observatory and the planetarium. This will be arranged at the time of the visit request.

Possible Field Trip Combinations 

Many teachers combine a planetarium field trip with a visit to Christy Woods, a botanical garden that is a short walk from the planetarium. Call 765-285-8838 to arrange a tour of Christy Woods.  http://www.bsu.edu/web/fseec/environment/Properties/programs.htm

Ball State University Museum of Art is next door to the Planetarium. For tours contact Tania Said (765-285-3372) at least three weeks in advance.  http://www.bsu.edu/artmuseum/groupvisits/

Minnetrista Cultural Center is a 5-minute bus ride from the Ball State University campus and offers school programs throughout the year. Call 765-282-4848 to schedule a visit.  http://www.minnetrista.net/

Muncie Children's Museum offers hands-on exhibits and programs.
Call 765-286-1660 for information.  http://www.munciechildrensmuseum.com/

_______________________________________________________________________

Dr. Ronald Kaitchuck, Director
765-285-8871