2008 Woodie Awards
Media event opens Scobee Planetarium
By Sharon Hensley
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Premiere
Originally published: 11/20/08 at 5:48 PM CSTLast update: 12/9/08 at 5:44 PM CST
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Although the planetarium resumed normal operations Oct. 3, the grand launching party was intended as the formal introduction of its new system.
The Digistar 3 is a state-of-the-art digital video system costing nearly $181,000.
Dr. Robert Zeigler, president of this college, said the new system added a completely new dimension to the planetarium.
Zeigler said the planetarium is a community asset and "we see it as part of our mission as a community college to reach out into the community."
Zeigler said an extension to the planetarium was in the planning stages, but he could not say if it would happen.
The extension would be used as a welcome center for planetarium guests and would allow the "First Men on the Moon" painting to be displayed there.
The Cheever family donated the painting to the planetarium but it was hung in Chance Academic Center because of its large size.
Chris Cheever attended the event and said, "This was one of the more memorable field trips when I was a kid."
Planetarium Coordinator Bryan Snow spoke about children on field trips.
Snow said, "The planetarium might have been their first experience with higher education. We hope the experience continues with them as they move through life."
District 2 trustee Denver McClendon, who serves as board chairman, said he tried on three occasions to see a planetarium show and each time could not get in because it was at capacity.
"I look forward to this show particularly and I look forward to the planetarium's continued use in the community," McClendon said.
Guests at the event saw the planetarium's public show for November, "The Ultimate Universe."
"Mystery of the Christmas Star" will begin in December, and "Black Holes" will run in January. These public shows are Fridays at 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The children's show, "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket," will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 12. No shows will be offered Thanksgiving weekend.
Students, staff and faculty of the district are admitted free with current ID.
Admission for children age 4-17 is $2; adults age 18-54 pay $5; and seniors 55 and older pay $3.
Seating begins 20 minutes prior to the start of a show. There is no late admittance allowed, and age restrictions are enforced.
For more information, call 733-2910 or visit www.accd.edu/sac/ce/scobee.
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