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Astonishing New Perspective of the Universe

 

 

Nate Razafindrabe, Student Journalist

Barton Community College

Great Bend, Kan.

 

First Published 16 April 2014

 

Does it sound like the title of the next Star Trek movie, “Where no man has gone before?” The planetarium is indeed a very astonishing facility that Barton Community College has the pleasure to offer an exciting look at the heavens.

 

The planetarium first opened its doors approximately 30 years ago, magically displaying the untouchable universe . It is quite unusual and rather special to have a planetarium within a college, but it is the case at Barton Community College. According to Dr. Tim Folkerts, having a planetarium at the college carries several advantages, especially for the astronomy class. Students in astronomy can actually bypass numerous weather and scale problems. If in real time cloudy weather, lack of time and night hours create problems, with the planetarium all those issues are erased. The planetarium is used by younger students for field trips as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tim Folkerts with the original planetarium equipment.

 

The planetarium has benefited from some changes that is making it more awesome. The initial installation was quite limited on different perspectives, contrary to the new digital projection that allows for a full view of the sky from different hemispheres and even from different planets. Actually visualizing the sky form a Martian view is possible. It covers several Galaxies as well and has a better zoom function.

 

And that's not all: the new projector has a 360 degree view that is similar to an IMAX Theater. The planetarium can actually display a movie in 360 degrees on the dome. The change at the planetarium “offers much more possibilities” says Dr. Folkerts. Isn’t that just astonishing!  A grand re-opening with the new equipment will take place later this week.

 

  • THURSDAY MORNING, April 24: Opening events from 9:30 AM - noon. Movies and Star Tours every ½ hour. And refreshments!

  • FRIDAY EVENING, April 25: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Movies and Star Tours every ½ hour

  • SUNDAY AFTERNOON, April 27: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. More Movies and Star Tours.

 

The Planetarium in located in Science & Math Building Room 101.

 

CORRECTED 17 April 2014 - Dates and times for grand re-opening corrected.

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