WELCOME TO THE STARRY NIGHT PLANETARIUM
SCHOOLS PAGE
The Starry Night Mobile Planetarium
can visit your school for a fun and educational experience.
This page should answer all questions you may have on the STARRY NIGHT
PLANETARIUM . Check our feedback Here
How about Planetarium shows AND a night sky tour at your school or
at your school camp ?
Click on the FAQ below to find an answer.If you need further information
call us on 02 6680 2448 mobile 0413 779223 or Email click HERE
Check our Calendar for availability HERE
1. What is a Planetarium?
2. What is the Starlab?
3. How many Children can fit into the Planetarium?
4. How long is each show?
5. How is the dome inflated?
6. How long does it take to setup?
7. How much will it cost?
8. What grades can attend?
9. How big is it?
10. What is different about the Starry Night Planetarium?
11. Does the Starry Night Planetarium cater for Special
needs children?
12. How can I organize the shows to fit my timetable?
13. Who are the Cosmic Couple?
14. Which schools has the Starry Night Planetarium already been to?
15. What is the sun song?
16. Can the dome be setup outside?
17. What happens if there is a power failure?
18. What can be shown in the Mobile Planetarium?
19. What about Public Liability?
20. Any other requirements?
21. How can I book?
22. Are there any shows during the school holidays
1 A planetarium is a domed building with a special projector which can show the stars of the night sky.
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Inside a commercial Planetarium |
The Starlab Mobile Planetarium |
2. "STARLAB" is the name for the Mobile Planetarium product. It is manufactured in the USA by Learning Technologies Inc and has been a proven media for Astronomy education for many years. Contact http://www.starlab.com/ for more information. Our show has been viewed by a panel of children, parents and teachers and has been fully accredited to visit NSW public schools. Feedback to DET from our shows is encouraged.The Cosmic Couple in "STARLAB" news. - Read all about it
3. Up to 30 children can fit into the dome. A teacher must always be present.
4. Shows last about 40mins.. A ten minute transition between shows is required for school groups.
5. The dome is inflated by a fan at the rear. This keeps the
dome up and circulates fresh air at all times.Watch
the dome go up!
6. It takes about 40mins for set up. This means
that the space should ideally be cleared and ready a minimum of 40 minutes
before the first show.
7. The Cost is $150 per session with a maximum of 30 students in the dome at one time Classes may need to be amalgamated to make up sufficient numbers for a session. . For a full session this is still only $5 per child. For schools with less than 50 children please talk to us!
8. We have presentations for all Primary and Secondary classes,
ie for stages 1 to 6.While the core of our shows is consistent (the night
sky and its apparent changes), our method of delivery varies in accordance
with the audience, as does any extra material delivered; eg we have sing-along
cosmic songs for young ones and specific data on stellar evolution and magnitude
for HSC physics students (The Cosmic Engine). For more info : Click
here to view programme content.
Sample of the Sun Song click
here . Movie of the Earth Spinning from Ocean Shores click
here (this will take you to Astroshorts click back to return here)
9. The dome requires a minimum floor area
of 8 metres x 6 metres and a ceiling height of 3.2 metres (free
of obstructions, such as fans or beams etc). Large classrooms, a hall or a
gym are suitable.Is there a Public Hall close by? They generally have
high ceilings.If necessary, we bring our own carpet to provide a comfortable
area for the children to sit on where the Planetarium is located on a hard
floor. 
10. The Starry Night Planetarium , brought to you by the "COSMIC COUPLE" Marie and Philip, has a unique presentation for school children incorporating the star projector, sound, video and other special effects. The visit will be both educational and fun! 'Special space days' can also be arranged on request for an extended astronomy study, where we would combine lectures/presentations,Telescope viewing, rocket demonstrations and activities relevant to your space theme - the sky's the limit! Even special teacher training days can be arranged for those who would like a little more grounding in astronomy basics - just let us know your needs. We can also attend your open day or fund raising events.
11 .. Yes!. We do cater for children with special needs.
12. Once you have decided how many shows are required, the organising teacher would then determine the sequence of classes attending our planetarium show. All we need to know then, is the starting time and your timetable of classes - don't forget to allow for a 10 minute transition between classes! After booking we provide comprehensive resource material for both teachers and students to prepare you for our visit.We also supply a poster for the school promoting the event and some information for parents.
13. Marie Whealing:
Marie has over 25 years teaching experience in Science, Maths and computers.
Astronomy became a particular interest after the 1987 Supernovae! (so this
supernova has a lot to answer for - creating more than the usual cosmic ripples!)
Marie's fun and friendly approach will captivate the children.
Philip Hood: Philip has over 30 years experience in the computer industry
and uses his skills for much of the planetarium presentations. Philip looks
after all the equipment and is always discovering new ways to enhance the
Planetarium experience. Marie and Philip are both members of the Astronomical
Society of NSW.
14. Before moving to the far north coast, Marie and Philip
presented planetarium shows at various schools, community groups and tourist
venues. Some are listed below: St Joseph's Primary School, Narrabeen St Marthas's
Primary School, Strathfield ,Elanora Heights P.S., and Stella Maris Girls
High School Manly. They have also presented special family shows at the Crystal
Castle Mullumbimby during the spring school holidays 2003 and 2004 and Holiday
parks during 2005/2006. CLICK HERE for the
Schools we have visited in 2005. For 2006 we have been to St Finbar's Byron
Bay, Rous P.S, St Johns College Woodlawn, Murwillumbah East P.S, St Andrews
College Gold coast , Macksville P.S, Teven Tintenbar P.S, Wollongbar P.S,
Uki P.S, Coorabell P.S, Ocean Shores P.S, Upper Cooper's Creek P.S, Brunswick
Heads P.S, Murwillumbah H.S, St Hild's Prep School Southport, Murwillumbah
P.S, South Lismore PS and Corndale PS.
CHECK OUR FEEDBACK At the 1st qtr
Moon they set up their large Telescope for FREE Moon and planetary
observing.
15. We have incorporated a short video with a song about the sun the children can sing along with. The words are shown with the movie. .click here for the sun song words
16. The Starlab portable Planetarium is designed to be set up inside.It cannot be exposed to wind or rain.However if your school has a large, well protected covered area OUTSIDE this may be suitable.We can visit your school to verify the set-up location.see example . Do you have a local village hall the children can walk to?
17. We have emergency procedures for exiting the dome as a result of any power failure. Torches are kept with the presenter and the teacher.
18. Stars and how they appear to move across the night sky. The signs of the Zodiac and what they mean. Where and when to look to find the planets and the moon.Seasons, day and night, the rotation of the earth. Eclipses of the moon and the Sun Terms such as ecliptic, constellations, celestial equator, south celestial pole, star clusters, asterisms, stars, binary stars, red giants, pulsars, black holes, galaxies, nuclear fusion. Anything else you want us to cover!
19. We have $10m Public Liability Insurance . Review our certificate HERE
20. Two power points for the fan and projector console and assistance
with a parking spot for unloading the equipment would be appreciated. 
21. Once your school has decided that they would like The Starry Night Planetarium to visit , please check our CALENDAR page for availability then contact us to confirm , No deposit is required but payment on the day is appreciated after you have told us the total number of students who will be attending and we have raised an Invoice. Our ABN is 90 582 045 191. As we are NOT registered for GST, so GST is not required to be added to the invoice.
22. We like to put on special family shows during the school holidays.. If you are visiting the Byron Bay area, please check on our Events page. Please introduce yourself at our public shows if you are a local teacher.
