A Half-Century of Star Gazing

It’s an occasion deserving of a special Hallmark greeting card. The Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport is celebrating its 50th anniversary Friday, May 14.
.
I doubt any store has an appropriate card and verse that conveys the pride the Museum feels about the Planetarium, and besides that, to whom would one send that congratulatory card?  Like most Mystic Seaport attractions, there are many hands involved in making the Planetarium the fascinating place it is. Stargazing is just a fraction of what goes on there, but the daily Planetarium show is definitely a great place to start.

Don Treworgy and students learning about celestial navigation, 1968.

Don Treworgy instructing students on how to use a sextant, 1982.

The Planetarium made its debut at Mystic Seaport in1960, thanks in no small part to planetarium designer, Armand Spitz, whose A2 projector was especially suited  to Mystic Seaport ‘s smaller size requirements. In 2009, that original model was replaced with a magnificent new Spitz A3P projector, which continues to thrill Planetarium visitors with its sharp visuals of the star galaxy. 

For 48 of its 50 years of existence, Don Treworgy served as Director of the Museum’s Planetarium, and upon his retirement in June 2009, it was renamed the Don Treworgy Planetarium in his honor. Sadly, Don passed away in September of 2009, but Mystic Seaport is proudly carrying on his legacy. The Planetarium is in good and capable hands. 

Cheers, Don. Cheers, R.M. “Max” and company. A toast to another 50 years of wowing visitors and sharing with them that there is more than meets the eye in our galaxy. 

Thank you, Planetarium crew, for 50 fabulous years!

Explore all the opportunities the Treworgy Planetarium provides for making your own star connection by logging on to:   www.mysticseaport.org/planetarium. 

Blog written by Trudi Busey. 

(Shown from left to right in the bottom photo): “Max” Maxwell, staff; Bill Michael, volunteer; Lynn Anderson, Don Treworgy’s wife; Don Treworgy, director; Kyra Elliott, former staff; Bill Gaynor, volunteer; and Jake Wise, volunteer. Hidden behind Lynn is Ted Rice, former staff; and Bruce Levine, staff, is seen between Don and Kyra.)

Are We Stardust?

It’s kind of an ‘outside the box’ concept, but fun to contemplate.

Geoffrey Burbridge, an English physicist who became a luminary in astronomy circles in the 20^th century, believed that people and everything else are made of stardust!  Simply put, he theorized that every one of our body’s chemical elements was once inside a star.

The universe is mysteriously beautiful and holds secrets that scientists are still unraveling. But if you’re like me, stargazing and identifying certain constellations is about the extent of my astronomy knowledge. The same goes for sailing. I married an “old salt” and he patiently, and sometimes impatiently taught me the basics, but I could never pretend to be a sailor! There is always so much more to learn – which leads me to recommend some great courses being offered at the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport. Try these on for interest:

• Celestial Navigation; 19^th Century Methods – 3/27-28
• Introduction to Coastal Navigation – 4/10, 4/24, 5/8 (3-day workshop)
• Easy Introductory Celestial Navigation By the Noon Day Sun – 4/17-4/18
• Marine Weather, Level II – 5/14-5/16

Classes will be held in the Howell Classroom at the Planetarium. For more detailed information and course fees, visit www.mysticseaport.org/planetarium.

And next time you look up at the stars, just think – there was once a part of you up there, according to Geoffrey Burbridge.  (The physicist passed away 1/26/10 at the age of 84.)

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

You’ll Be Seeing Stars!

Did you know there’s an ice cream cone in the sky?  Did you know there’s a grouping of six stars that was adopted as the trademark for Subaru vehicles? When you hear the name Polaris, do you first think of the NASA flight mission capsule or the North Star up in the sky? Did you know there’s a hole in the Big Dipper that empties out on Leo’s back?

 

If you are a bit astronomy challenged; if outer space intrigues you; or if the stars have ever served as your compass  – then you MUST take in  a program at the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport.

 

The magnificent new Spitz A3P Star Projector takes center stage in the auditorium. It is an imposing sight in and of itself.  In addition to the stars shining more brightly, the southern sky can now also be projected for visitors, a new perk.
.

 

So take a seat and watch the horizon slowly disappear. Light gives way to darkness. Overhead an awesome sight meets the eye as stars come out of daylight hiding. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a return visitor, it is breathtaking.

 

A journey amongst the galaxies with R.M. Maxwell leading the way is a special treat. Max takes our miraculous overhead universe and brings it down to planet earth for his audience’s entertainment and knowledge. You will definitely come away knowing much more than when you went in.

 

One thing is absolutely certain – after experiencing the Planetarium show, you will no longer only think candy bar when you hear the words Milky Way!.

 

The Planetarium show is a minimal add-on to Museum admission ($2.50), but well worth it for visitors of all ages. The  lobby exhibits are always free of charge. Visitors can opt to chart a course using a sextant (a historic navigation tool) and also look at and learn from the interesting visuals showcasing the role of astronomy throughout history.  

 

So next time you’re at Mystic Seaport, make sure to stop by the Planetarium and take a seat. We promise, you’ll soon be seeing stars.

 

For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/planetarium.

Flash Card Quiz

All right all you educators out there. Now it’s your turn to take a quiz (with a little blogger help!).

 

Q.   What special event is happening at Mystic Seaport this weekend (April 4 and 5)?

A.   Educators’ Weekend. This year’s event will celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.

.

Q.   Who is invited?

A.   Teachers, school administrators, support staff and their families (but of course, the general public, too!).

 

Q.   How much will it cost Educators?

A.   Show your school or union ID card or a copy of school letterhead at the Museum gate and your admission is FREE! (Up to four people total.)

 

Q.   What does the weekend offer educators?

A.   Planned activities will acquaint you with all the Museum has to offer in helping you reach your classroom goals in a fun, outside-the-textbook manner.

 

Q.   Some examples?

A.   Attend the amazing Treworgy Planetarium program, “Finding Your Way through the Stars.” Learn more about celestial navigation in the Planetarium lobby’s exhibit.  Go on a special compass-guided scavenger hunt in the Museum’s Nautical Instruments Shop.  Take a 30-minute sampler tour of the Museum’s science-based guided tours, specially designed for school groups.  Try out different shipbuilding tools and do some hands-on rope making. All this an much more… you get the idea!

 

Bull’s Eye — you passed the quiz!

 

A $5,000 grant from Target has enabled Mystic Seaport to host Educators’ Weekend for a seventh year.  Your assignment is to take advantage of this very special opportunity. For more information and a detailed list of scheduled activities, visit www.mysticseaport.org/ews.  

Fly to the Moon

“Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars; Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars…..”

When you visit Mystic Seaport’s Planetarium, you can at least imagine that you’re flying to the moon and playing among the stars. And you just might find out what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars after learning more about the night sky changes that accompany the seasons.   

Mystic Seaport Planetarium

While you sit back in your comfy seats in the Planetarium theater, consider how important the stars were to sailors in the 1800s.  The GPS system so many of us depend on today to navigate our journeys by land and by sea wasn’t even at crystal ball stage back then. The compass, sextant and chronometer were the main instruments sailors relied upon, but at nightfall, the stars were a crucial guide in maintaining the ship’s course. A sea captain’s grasp of celestial navigation was paramount to a safe voyage for his ship, its crew and its cargo.

 

During the Planetarium’s daily theater program, one feels almost within reach of stars and planets, the sun and the moon as they are projected overhead. Make sure to check out the Planetarium’s special program, “Winter Stars of a Voyage to Freedom,” daily at 2 p.m. during February Vacation Week (Feb. 14-22). You will have the opportunity to observe the same winter sky and stars that guided Amistad’s crew to freedom in the 19^th century.

 

The Planetarium lobby’s six-stage celestial navigation exhibit demonstrates that mathematical skills and ingenuity were as much a necessity for men at sea as was the skill of sailing itself. Given the lack of modern day equipment, it’s kind of mind-boggling, yet impressive, that ships stayed the course on their voyages, and in addition, that sailors were able to determine their ship’s speed and distance traveled.
.

While at the Planetarium, make sure to try your hand at using the sextant displayed in the exhibit. It may be a somewhat humbling experience. Discover an Orrery – a mechanical scale model of the solar system (if you already knew this, you deserve a gold star!). Suspended from the lobby ceiling are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Pretty awesome!

 

The Planetarium is one of the Museum’s shining stars, appealing to both children and adults. Come and enjoy all it has to offer.

 

Please Note: The Planetarium Theater will be closed and shows cancelled from February 24 – March 9 during upgrades to the projector. The lobby exhibit will remain open.

 

* Above lyrics from the pop standard song “Fly Me to the Moon” penned by lyricist Bart Howard.

  

Check out our website: www.mysticseaport.org  for a listing of daily events. 

Fall into Fun at Mystic Seaport

Many people travel north to Vermont and New Hampshire to enjoy the vibrant colors of a New England autumn. With recent fuel prices and economic troubles weighing on the shoulders of leaf peepers everywhere, a trip north may not be feasible. Mystic Seaport offers the perfect solution. The Museum boasts 19 acres of beautiful grounds brimming with autumnal glory. Wander in and out of incredible exhibits and enjoy a true New England fall day in our re-created seafaring community.

The area of Mystic, CT, has a 300-year maritime history and fortunately for you, Mystic Seaport is striving to preserve that history. Many of the vessels you can see along our waterfront were built locally, or have roots in the New England maritime community. Your appreciation for 19^th-century craftsmanship is sure to be heightened by the framing of nature’s beauty.

The picture above was taken facing the Mystic River from the Planetarium located on the north end of the grounds.

The fall air a little too crisp for you? Step inside the Shipsmith shop and warm up while watching our craftsmen hard at work. Or, venture over to the Buckingham-Hall House and see what’s cooking over the flames.

 

If you’re looking for a spook or two, join us for the Nautical Nightmares. Tickets are on sale now. Find out more at www.mysticseaport.org.

 

Kids can’t seem to resist the sound of crunching leaves. They’re sure to also love our kid-friendly area near the Planetarium which features a Children’s Museum, The Art Spot and our very own fleet of wooden boats where kids can pretend to be captains and pirates in a sea of leaves.

 

And what’s the best part about autumn at Mystic Seaport? Children who visit us on October 24-25 and November 1-2 will get into the Museum for half price! Pretty good bargain if you ask us.

 

Make sure you Fall into Fun this autumn at Mystic Seaport! We’ll hold onto the majestic autumn leaves as long as we can.