Barlow Planetarium

Barlow Planetarium
Sign on Wisconsin Highway 441

The Barlow Planetarium is a planetarium located at the University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley in Menasha, Wisconsin. It is named after late businessman and mineral collector F. John Barlow.

History

Barlow Planetarium takes its name from F. John Barlow, a late businessman who was the largest private donor to the building of the planetarium. The Barlow Planetarium opened in March 1998. Its premiere show was "Through the Eyes of Hubble," a program detailing the Hubble Space Telescope's servicing mission and first few years of operation.

Facilities

The planetarium has a 102-person seating capacity (98 regular chairs, 4 wheelchair positions).[1] Each seat is equipped with an interactive control panel on its armrest that allows the audience to vote during programs. The Barlow has panorama slide projectors and an all-sky system (an all-sky image is a series of six pie-shaped images that are aligned to make a picture fill the dome). Video images can be projected onto the dome from DVD, laser disk, computer, or SVHS tapes. The planetarium is powered by a Digistar II star projector.[1] In 2004 the Barlow acquired a laser projection system that uses a three-color argon laser to draw images set to music on the dome. The planetarium also has a 10,000-watt sound system.[2]

Community involvement

The planetarium offers programs for the general public and for local schools. It has worked with local Boy Scout and Girl Scout units, offering programs to help them earn merit badges. Several couples have chosen the Barlow as a place for their weddings. Bands and musicians, including noted space music musician Jonn Serrie, have performed in the Barlow's dome. The planetarium also works with the local astronomy club NEWSTAR (North East Wisconsin Stargazers) to host a spring event commemorating International Astronomy Day.

References

  1. 1 2 Barlow Planetarium at the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, Retrieved January 14, 2007.
  2. ↑ Danielle Buechel; February 22, 2006; "Stars rock the superstars of rock"; Advance-Titan; Retrieved January 14, 2007

External links

Coordinates: 44°13′47″N 88°24′55″W / 44.229778°N 88.415225°W / 44.229778; -88.415225

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