Planetarium shines again: Friday shows return to Physics Hall

People across campus and in Ames can thank their lucky stars -- the public planetarium shows in the basement of Physics Hall are back.

The popular family-friendly events are resuming on the final Friday of each month, beginning Feb. 27. The shows were discontinued during the pandemic. After joining the faculty this fall, assistant teaching professor of physics and astronomy Michaela Leung took the lead on reviving the shows.

"I teach the introductory astronomy courses, and the department was looking to bring some new energy to the outreach efforts around the planetarium and the K-12 group," she said. "Having this opportunity to encourage young students to consider math, science and STEM is great."

There will be three 25-minute shows -- 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. -- in the 27-seat room. Free tickets are available online. The February and March shows will focus on the inner solar system and the outer solar system, respectively. April will shine a light on the possibilities for people wanting to have their own backyard astronomy show. Leung said turnout will dictate whether shows continue over the summer.

In addition to the shows, student volunteers will organize activities for children in the space just outside the planetarium.

"The activities are designed for families with school-age children," Leung said. "For example, one will have them throw a ball into a big tub of flour so they can see how craters are formed."

Making the show go

Leung, graduate students Irina Plaks and Ian Clark, and senior Luke Champion will serve as presenters this spring. She said presenters learn how to deliver an engaging show and gain skills that will serve them, regardless of where their career path takes them. 

Leung started a training program for interested physics and astronomy undergraduates to learn the ropes, and she hopes to expand it to majors across campus next fall. The students will attend a few shows, learn to use the equipment and get comfortable with public speaking.

"Whether it is performing arts, history or something else, I think there are a lot of aspects that intersect with the planetarium," Leung said. "Thankfully, the system is not too complicated because you just run it off an iPad. 

Outreach efforts

Feb. 27 is the return of the public shows in the planetarium, but the facility has not gone unused over the years. Several Honors seminars have taken place there, the physics and astronomy department holds classes in it and earlier this month a group of fifth- and sixth-graders from the United Community School District enjoyed a planetary show.

"We really want to grow that outreach aspect since it is one of the best ways we can do that in the department," Leung said. "The kids had a lot of energy and questions, and it really helped us prepare for the public shows."

School groups and others interested in experiencing a planetarium show can email planetarium@iastate.edu.

Leung said as the weather warms and if there is interest, there will be opportunities to venture outdoors. However, the telescopes previously available on the observing deck of the Zaffarano Physics Addition no longer are an option because a tornado damaged the safety fence on the roof.