Cabrillo
Planetarium
The Cabrillo Astronomy Department has a small planetarium
below room 706 in the Natural and Applied Sciences 700 building. It is used
to demonstrate the motions of the earth and sky for astronomy students, and
also for planetarium shows for community groups. The projector is an old Spitz
A3P, upgraded in 1990 with a zenon light source. The original hard wooden chairs
were taken out and replaced by the volunteer efforts of the Cabrillo Astronomy
Club, especially Tom Trumbull, with padded chairs salvaged from a remodelled
court room in San Jose in 1991.
Planetarium Shows
I
offer 1-hour planetarium shows on the solar system for community groups. Because
of my schedule, these shows are only available to be scheduled on Monday afternoons
after 1:20pm, during the regular semester. However, during the summer, it might be possible to schedule a show on other afternoons. The show is given live, and includes PowerPoint slides on the solar system including
the sun, planets, moons, comets, meteors, and a few special effects. These shows
are available to schedule by emailing me at rinolthe at cabrillo.edu.
Please leave your name, email address, and desired start
time and date. I'll then post your reservation on the schedule shown below.
There are 47 seats and no more than 47 people may be in the planetarium at one
time. There is a $50 charge payable on arrival for all groups,
regardless of size. (Note that I have kept this fee unchanged for my 30+ years
at Cabrillo) I can give you a receipt on Cabrillo letterhead at the time of
the show, if you would like. The shows are suitable for all ages. Groups from
pre-school on up to high school have all enjoyed these presentations.
Location,
Parking.
The planetarium is
in the 700 Building, on the upper campus. It's labelled "planetarium"
on the outside door - 706 - which is also my office door. Click here
for a map. You may park in most of the parking lots on campus. Day permits can be bought at the yellow automated parking permit dispensers in the
parking lots. There is a bus stop on Soquel right below the bookstore, and also
at the top of the upper campus next to the 700 building parking lot.
The
Show
The show starts with
the sun setting in the west. As the lights dim, Brian Eno's "On Land"
accompanies the first stars of the evening sky. I point out some constellations
and show how the sky moves as the earth rotates. Then we begin our slide show
of the solar system, with pictures presented on the domed ceiling. Starting
with the sun and Mercury on through all the planets as seen by the
spacecraft which have travelled the solar system. We let the kids add their own spin
to the wierd moons of the outer solar system, trying to guess what they looked
like to the astronomers who first saw these pictures. In between we talk a bit
about "mayhem from asteroids".The slides conclude with pictures of some of the brightest comets of the 20th
century, and asteroid impacts of the past. I then show the stars spinning through
the night, pointing out upcoming constellations, and finally ending with dawn
and sunrise. If there's time, I will take a few concluding questions. I can fine-tune my talking points to suit you!
Science Projects Opportunities
I've been a judge at many science fairs, from K-6, on up to the Intel International. I love helping young people get excited about science. We have a well-equipped observatory on campus, in the last wilderness area on College property at the Aptos Campus. It's dark, without any interfering lights. We have a 12" telescope which has a great digital camera which takes color pictures. It's currently not operational, but I hope to have it working again at some point "soon". Students can control the telescope and camera while sipping hot chocolate in the "warm room" in the captain's chair. Astronomy in general and Santa Cruz County astronomy (UCSC, Cabrillo) in particular has a dedicated commitment to increase the number of women in science and in astronomy. If you have a bright young student who wants to do a science project in astronomy, please contact me and I'd be happy to help him or her with their project.
My Contact info
Spring '24 Schedule Your 1 hr show may start any time from 1:30-4:30pm on the Mondays below...
Feb 12 - Jaquieline's 1st Graders from Gault (see email of Aug 27, '23)
Feb 26 - open
Mar 4 - open
Mar 11 - 1:30 pm show
Mar 18 - open
Apr 1 - open
Apr 8 - open
Apr 15 - open
Apr 22 - open
Apr 29 - open
May 6 - open
May 13 - open
May 20 - open
back to Rick's Home Page
For Planetarium Director notes only.
(StarBall 2016 diagnosis)
(2022 diagnosis and repairs)
I
offer 1-hour planetarium shows on the solar system for community groups. Because
of my schedule, these shows are only available to be scheduled on Monday afternoons
after 1:20pm, during the regular semester. However, during the summer, it might be possible to schedule a show on other afternoons. The show is given live, and includes PowerPoint slides on the solar system including
the sun, planets, moons, comets, meteors, and a few special effects. These shows
are available to schedule by emailing me at rinolthe at cabrillo.edu.
Please leave your name, email address, and desired start
time and date. I'll then post your reservation on the schedule shown below.
There are 47 seats and no more than 47 people may be in the planetarium at one
time. There is a $50 charge payable on arrival for all groups,
regardless of size. (Note that I have kept this fee unchanged for my 30+ years
at Cabrillo) I can give you a receipt on Cabrillo letterhead at the time of
the show, if you would like. The shows are suitable for all ages. Groups from
pre-school on up to high school have all enjoyed these presentations.