Planetarium

The Herbert F. Trackman
Planetarium
2014-2015 Program
Show and
Group Information
Beginning with the 2014-2015 season, all public
planetarium shows will begin at 7 p.m. These shows
are suitable for all ages and last approximately
one hour which includes a trip through the current
evening sky using the new OmniStar projector and a question-and-answer period.
All planetarium shows are free and do not require
a ticket. All public shows are first come, first
seated. Grade school and high school groups are
encouraged to schedule special programs that
may be presented during the school day. These
free programs are tailored to the grade level of
students attending the program.
Social and civic organizations also are invited
to schedule programs for their members. These
programs are available during the day on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Tuesday
or Thursday evenings. Reservations are required
for all special programs. To make your reservations,
see the contact section of this brochure or visit the
website at www.jjc.edu.
Astronomy Courses
Contact Information
For those interested in learning more about the
universe, JJC offers two astronomy courses.
Both courses are designed for non-science
majors, and no prior science courses are
required in order to enroll.
For more information about the planetarium
and featured shows, contact:
Descriptive Astronomy (ASTR 101) – This course covers the concepts, principles
and methods that lead to our present
understanding of the solar system, stars,
galaxies and the universe. It includes a
historical perspective of how understanding
of the universe has progressed over the years.
This course is offered during the fall, spring
and summer semesters.
Life in the Universe (PHSCI 125) – This course covers the possibility of finding life
beyond Earth, how we search for life outside of
earth, and the feasibility of humans traveling
in and colonizing space. Associate Professor
Noella D’Cruz teachers this course in the fall
and spring semesters.
Art Maurer, Trackman Planetarium Director
amaurer@jjc.edu • (815) 280-2601
www.jjc.edu/info/planetarium
Arrangements for special programs and field
trips may be made by contacting the field
trip coordinator in the Office of Resource
Development at (815) 280-2917 or by email at
fieldtripcoordinator@jjc.edu.
For more information about classes, contact the
Department of Natural Sciences and Physical
Education at (815) 280-6682 (NOVA).
“Our Changing Universe”
The JJC Foundation is launching a campaign,
“Our Changing Universe”, to raise funds for the
operations of the new OmniStar digital projection
system for the Trackman Planetarium. The college
is asking the community for financial support
for the new system. If you are interested in more
information on this campaign, visit www.jjc.edu
and search Trackman Planetarium.
Information subject to change.
0814-DP
About the Planetarium
Show Descriptions
At JJC’s Herbert F. Trackman Planetarium, visitors can discover the wonders of space up close and personal thanks to the generosity of
alumnus, Herbert F. Trackman. The planetarium was built in 1972 and in January, 2014, the JJC Foundation generously provided the funds
necessary to install the new OmniStar Digital Projection System. This new projection system offers an up-to-date and modernized way of
learning about the stars, planets, and the universe. The new digital projection system will display an accurate arrangement of the stars and
planets on the planetarium’s dome and will give you the ability to see professionally produced shows on a variety of subjects. All shows are
continuously updated to reflect the latest information from NASA. Nearly 10,000 people visit each year to enjoy the educational shows that
are offered free of charge. The planetarium is under the leadership of Art Maurer, Trackman Planetarium Director.
Asteroids and Comets: Learn about the giant rocks that
share the solar system with the planets. This show includes
a history of terrestrial hits that have occurred since the
beginning of the solar system plus the possibilities of
collisions in the future.
2014-2015 Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: All public shows have a new start time and will start at 7 p.m. Summer shows also have been added. Shows marked with an asterisk are designed for the very young astronomer.
Tuesday Shows
9/16/14
Seasonal Skies
9/30/14
Larry Cat in Space*
10/14/14 How to Watch the Partial Solar Eclipse
10/28/14 The Solar System
11/11/14 Veteran’s Day (No Show)
11/25/14 The X-Planets - Discovering Other Earths
12/9/14 Story of the Christmas Star
1/6/15
Seasonal Skies
1/20/15
The Solar System
2/3/15
Asteroids and Comets
2/17/15
The Search for Intelligent Life in Space
3/3/15
Larry Cat in Space*
3/17/15
Seasonal Skies
3/31/15Mars
4/14/15
Telescope Basics
4/28/15
Asteroids and Comets
5/12/15
The X-Planets - Discovering Other Earths
5/26/15
Seasonal Skies
6/9/15
The Solar System
7/7/15
Seasonal Skies
8/4/15 Asteroids and Comets
Thursday Shows
9/25/14
Seasonal Skies
10/9/14
How to Watch the Partial Solar Eclipse
10/23/14 The Solar System
11/06/14 Back to the Moon for Good
11/20/14 Telescope Basics
12/04/14 The X-Planets - Discovering other Earths
12/18/14 Story of the Christmas Star
1/15/15
Seasonal Skies
1/29/15
The X-Planets - Discovering Other Earths
2/12/15
Humans and Robots in Space
2/26/15
Solar System
3/12/15
We Go to the Moon*
3/26/15
Seasonal Skies
4/9/15Mars
4/23/15
Larry Cat in Space*
5/7/15
Black Holes
5/21/15
Search for Intelligent Life in Space
6/4/15
Seasonal Skies
6/18/15
The Solar System
7/9/15
The X-Planets - Discovering Other Earths
8/6/15
The Solar System
Sunday Holiday Show
12/14/14 2 p.m. Story of the Christmas Star
Back to the Moon for Good: This show discusses
commercial ventures to return to the moon and establish
permanent bases on the lunar surface.
Black Holes: What are black holes? Where do they come
from? What happens when something falls into a black
hole? Black holes are one of the most interesting things we
can’t see in space. This program tells you what and where
they are.
Story of the Christmas Star: This show covers the history
of the winter solstice celebration and why Christmas is
celebrated at this time of the year. It also addresses what
the Christmas star might have been, what year the birth
described in the Bible might have happened, and the story
of the three kings. Biblical, historical, and astronomical data
were used to prepare this show.
Telescope Basics: This show describes how telescopes work, the
different types of telescopes, and how to choose a telescope to
fit your budget. If you are planning to purchase a telescope and
cannot attend this show, contact the planetarium for information
on how to choose a telescope. (amaurer@jjc.edu)
The Search for Intelligent Life in Space: Are humans the
only intelligent life in the universe? Probably not. This program
discusses how NASA is searching for habitable planets and
NASA’s search for intelligent life on other planets.
How to Watch the Partial Solar Eclipse: There will be a
partial eclipse of the sun late in the afternoon of Oct. 23.
This program will describe the eclipse and demonstrates
how you can safely view it.
The Solar System: This show is about the sun, planets,
plutoids, dwarf planets and other objects that orbit our
sun. It is continually updated to remain current. The show
concludes with a look at the possibility of aliens.
Humans and Robots in Space: This informative program
discusses the use of robots versus humans in space
exploration.
The X-Planets - Discovering Other Earths: The search is on
for other planets that are in the habitable zone - the perfect
distance from their star where water and life could exist.
Larry Cat in Space*: The all-time children’s favorite, the
story of a cat who sneaks aboard a rocket for a trip to the
moon, is back.
We go to the Moon*: This show, for children four to seven
years old, depicts what it would be like to go to the moon,
also giving them a chance to discuss what they would need
for their lunar voyage.
Mars: Mars is a future destination for manned space trips.
Learn about the red planet and what will be needed to
survive a trip to this terrestrial planet.
Seasonal Skies: What is in the skies this month? What
constellations and planets are easy to find? Are there any
comets or meteor showers? Take a trip through the current
night sky during this seasonal show.
PLEASE NOTE: All public shows have a new start time and
will start at 7 p.m. Summer shows also have been added.
Shows marked with an asterisk are designed for the very
young astronomer.
Visitors should arrive early as seating is limited and once
the chamber is dark it is difficult to move around. Doors
are closed once the chamber is filled.