 |
StarDome Mobile Planetarium |
|
StarDome Mobile Planetarium |
 |
Frank Gear's GLOSSARY of ASTRONOMICAL TERMS - Click here to view (Please be patient - it will take a little while to load) |
StarDome is an inflatable star laboratory that can be brought to your location. It is capable of seating up to 30 children sitting on the floor, or a smaller number of adults. The star lab provides an experience only matched by visiting a permanent planetarium, such as the London Planetarium.
The StarDome star lab planetarium enables the experienced astronomy tutor that operates the star lab to project the night sky for any hour of any day of the year at any latitude from just below the equator to how the skies can be seen if the observer were standing at the North pole.
In addition, astronomical slides and music enhance the presentation. The whole presentation creates the illusion of being outside on a clear moonless night when the observer can see something like 2,000 naked eye stars in the sky.
Teachers & Pupils comments following a StarDome Presentation
Hardwick County Primary School, Banbury
Thank you for coming to Hardwick school. The StarDome was like real life and the slide show was brilliant! The stars made us feel like we were in space.
We enjoyed talking to you about stars and the universe. Thank you for spending extra time to teach us about space and answering all our questions so that we could understand.
Finally we appreciate your effort in putting the programme together. We have learned a lot about astronomy and maybe one day we will also be astronomers.
Yours sincerely
Years 5 and 6.
There are three basic programmes for schools.
Lower Primary Programme. Intended for children between 6 years and 11 year old. (Nominally Y2, 3 or 4).
Upper Primary Programme. More emphasis on gaining knowledge and interest in astronomy and space.
Lower Secondary Programme. Intended for children between 11 and 13 years old. This programme builds on the KS3 programme of study, and includes:
All of the above programmes allow time for question and answer sessions.
Other special programmes can be provided by prior arrangements.
You will need a large room, probably a hall, and at least 7m X 7m floor area with a height of 4m clear of overhead lights or obstructions. The StarDome star lab is not sound proof so the room cannot be used simultaneously for teaching, waiting or other activities.
At least one 13 Amp power point is needed to operate the star lab.
StarDome star lab takes approximately one hour to set up and vehicular access is required close to the venue.
Allow a period of one and a half hours for the StarDome to be packed up. Help of an adult is required to pack up and load up the equipment at the end of the show.
Contact Frank Gear for information about the presentation, details of costs and to make your booking.
Phone/Fax 01604 714712
E-mail: frankgear@planetarium-man.demon.co.uk
Post: Mr Frank Gear, 251 Abington Ave, Northampton, NN3 2BU
or
enter your details below and click "Submit" below:
Frank Gear is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is also a member of the British Astronomical Association.
An observer of many years experience he has had his own observatory for over thirty years. Light pollution has now made the observatory redundant but the 10 inch (25.4 cm) Newtonian reflecting telescope that once lived in the observatory has been made into a portable unit so that it can be transported to dark observing sites.
For many years Frank Gear has lectured to many types of clubs and associations not just astronomy clubs. More recently Frank has run Adult education classes in astronomy for South Northamptonshire Adult Education and is a listed lecturer for The Workers Education Association.
| YOU ARE VISITOR NUMBER | SINCE 16 FEB 1999 |
Web counter by
Sign
Our Guestbook
View
Our Guestbook
British Astronomical Association
Astronomy Section Northamptonshire Natural History Society
Last updated Sunday 26th November 2006