8A10.30 - Planispheric Planetarium

Code Number:
8A10.30
Demo Title:
Planispheric Planetarium
Condition:
Fair
Principle:
Stars of the Night Sky
Area of Study:
Astronomy
Equipment:
Small planetarium.
Procedure:

The planetarium works well if you understand its limitations.  Since it has a very low intensity light bulb the projected star patterns are very dim. Therefore this must be used in a very small room of approx. 9 ft diameter.  One of the plastic blow up bubbles in the sixth floor lab would work for this but since these have a small student capacity we don't deem this worthwhile to do in lecture.

References:
  • Peter Newbury, "Exploring the Solar System with a Human Orrery", TPT, Vol. 48, # 9, Dec. 2010, p. 573.
  • "Planetarium", Science Supplement (spring), Grolier Incorporated, 2003, p. 334. ISBN 0-7172-1575-X.
  • Janice VanCleave, "66. Box Planetarium", Astronomy for Every Kid: 1010 Easy Experiments that Really Work, p. 144.
  • Bobby Mercer, "Pringles Planetarium", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 112.
  • "Planetarium", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, 1984, p. 110.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.