Michelle Nichols
Thu, 24 May 2001 07:55:41 -0700
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 24, 2001
CONTACT:
Dawn Kappel
Director of External Communications
312-322-0524
Diana L. Holic
Public Relations Assistant
312-322-0548
Celebrate the Sun and Summer with a
Total Solar Eclipse in Africa
The First Eclipse of the Millennium not Visible Here, but Viewable at The
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
Celebrate the joys of summer and a total solar eclipse in Africa! The
eclipse, taking place the same day as the summer solstice, is not visible
anywhere in the United States, but will be shown live via satellite at the
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum!
Adding to this very special, one-day event the Adler will present live
commentary from planetarium staff on a ship off the coast of Africa for
observations of the eclipse, along with live Sky Theater shows and
informative talks, in both English and Spanish, by Adler astronomers at
the Museum. African animals, including reptiles and insects, will be
visiting the Adler from the Lincoln Park Zoo. Interactive Sun-related
activities will also take place throughout the planetarium for this summer
celebration
On June 21st, 2001 a video signal will be beamed live from the deck of the
cruise ship Royal Star to the Adler for guests to view in the
planetarium’s main theaters. The exclusively chartered ship will be
cruising the Mozambique Channel, just west of the Island of Madagascar, as
the shadow of the Moon crosses the continent of Africa and engulfs the
ship. The Adler will open at 7:30 a.m. on June 21st allowing visitors to
prepare for the viewing in the planetarium’s theaters. The eclipse will
take place at approximately 8:15 a.m. Chicago time.
A special admission price of $10 per adult and $7 per child includes
access to the building, unlimited sky shows until noon, plus the live
eclipse lectures by Adler astronomers and a host of fun activities for the
family. Also included will be presentations and entertainment themed to
the cultures of Africa, in recognition of the eclipse’s path spanning the
African Continent.
Joining the Adler’s staff to provide entertainment and activities at the
Adler on June 21st will be: animal handlers from Lincoln Park Zoo with a
selection of distinctive creatures native to the African continent;
S.P.I.R.I.T.S. Masquerade and Drum Society, a Chicago based research and
arts organization, who will entertain and inform with a unique blend of
ethnic drum playing, stilt-walking and masquerade presentation; and "Mama
Edie" McLoud Armstrong, percussionist and storyteller, who will regale
audiences with her “Tales and Songs of African Diaspora.”
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum was the first planetarium in the
Western Hemisphere. It has presented astronomical discoveries to over 40
million people during the past 71 years. The contemporary new Sky Pavilion
and the recently restored historic landmark building now house eight
state-of-the-art exhibition galleries featuring modern space exploration
along with the history of astronomy. The world’s first StarRider Theater
- the most technologically advanced, audience-interactive planetarium -
fuels the imagination of visitors during virtual flights through the
cosmos. Adler scientists and historians, who hold joint appointments at
the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and Notre Dame, are
working at the forefront of research in astronomy and its intriguing
history. With a staff of over 200 and the largest collection of historic
scientific instruments and rare books in the Americas, the Adler pursues
its mission to present the human quest to better understand the universe.
Today, the Adler is the premiere astronomy museum in our solar system and
is leading the way into the new “Space Millennium”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (312) 922-STAR
TTY: (312) 322-0995
www.adlerplanetarium.org.
--
This is the ISTA-talk mailing list.
To unsubscribe:
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
For more information:
<http://www.ista-il.org/ista-talk.asp>
To search the archives:
<http://www.mail-archive.com/ista-talk@lists.csi.cps.k12.il.us/>