SkyXplore Begins SpaceDome Mobile Digital Planetarium Project in the Philippines

The Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City in the Philippines has launched its SkyXplore project with the SpaceDome Mobile Digital Planetarium as the main attraction. The astronomy education program is headed by former Philippine Senator Nikki Coseteng and aims to bring astronomy closer to the Filipino student through the inflatable planetarium, creating new windows for education and opening doors to new careers in science and technology. As of this writing, only the Rizal Technological University offers degree courses in astronomy.

The planetarium will be taken to schools nationwide to promote astronomy and to educate students in the science. She will be aided by astronomy consultants like Frederick Gabriana and wife Rochelle (2nd picture from the top). Lecturers include Ramon Acevedo, resident astronomer of the Seven Suites Observatory Hotel in Antipolo City. The planetarium currently shows the sky as seen by different cultures (like the Inuit and Lakota) with the Western view taking precedence.

Astronomer Gabriana will soon by integrating Philippine constellations in the open source program used with the planetarium computer and projector. He will be using the research of Historian Dr. Dante Ambrosio of the University of the Philippines. It will be the first time that the sky as seen by indigenous peoples of the Philippines will be featured in a planetarium program. Aside from stars, planets, and constellations, the planetarium is also capable of taking the viewer on a travel through time and space. It's also for showing movies. Shown at left is Coseteng presenting the meteorite collection of the Gabrianas which was originally part of the Allen Yu space rock collection.

Nikki Coseteng launches SkyXplore -Scienceray

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Illinois - Adler Planetarium - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

by Robert W. Benjamin

Do you like looking at the stars? If so, and you plan on passing through Illinois, you must stop at the Adler Planetarium. This Planetarium is amazing and it really does have something for everyone. One of the greatest parts about it is there are free daily activities that everyone can enjoy.

There are many different activities that may take place and they do change from time to time. Some of them include hands on science challenges, while others include tours of new exhibits. There are also computer activities, interactive demonstrations, astronomy crafts, and telescope viewing. There are some great activities for kids as young as three, all the way up to adulthood.

Check out how craters are formed and how space rocks impact the earth. Or, check out how gravity works and then move on to the create a comet demonstration. Some people like the cosmic ray detectives class while others enjoy learning more about auroras.

The planetarium is open from Sunday through Saturday from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. The first Friday of every month has later hours until 10 pm. The holiday schedule changes so it is important to check out the times to know when to visit. The planetarium is always closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. During the summer months, there are extended hours as well.

The Adler Planetarium sells tickets only from the box office on a first come first serve basis. For adults the general admission is $10 for exhibits only, $19 for admission and a show, and $23 for admission and two shows. Prices for Chicago residents are two dollars less per package. Kids pay $6 for general admission, $15 for admission and a show, and $19 for two shows in addition to admission. Learn more about space and have fun as an entire family by visiting the Adler Planetarium. It is affordable and has great hours, so make a plan to check it out when you are visiting Illinois.

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By Robert W. Benjamin

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

About the Author

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the Internet for over 8 years, and has been producing low-cost software for numerous years. He first released public domain products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970s-80s.

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