Mobile Planetarium Coming to the Copper River Basin

What fits in a school gymnasium, contains the entire universe, and is coming to the Copper River Basin this fall?  The University of Alaska Geophysical Institute Portable Planetarium!

WISE has been working with  Copper River School District, UAF Geophysical Institute, and the HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) facility in Gakona to bring a portable planetarium to the area.  As well as every student in the district having a chance to experience a planetarium program, the public is invited to a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Open House where they can attend a planetarium program, and also participate in other activities provided by local agencies and organizations.

The UAF portable planetarium is a freestanding inflatable structure, about 12 feet tall and 24 feet in diameter.  Set up in a school gymnasium, it can hold up to 30 people at a time, including accommodating those with disabilities.  Shows are projected onto the inside of the dome, and include constellations, our solar system, the aurora, space exploration, and indigenous knowledge. An educator and a graduate student from the Geophysical Institute will travel with the planetarium to set up the structure and give the presentations.

This event is the result of WISE's long-term collaboration with HAARP, and the staff at UAF Geophysical Institute who manage the facility.  We've had many conversations over the years about the mobile planetarium.  Last spring Copper River School District staff member Gretchen Nelson agreed to be the liaison for the school district, dates lined up for the planetarium team, and funding was found to help support the travel and logistics for the equipment and staff.

The community STEM night will be Thursday, September 24, from 4-7pm at Glennallen School.  All community members are welcome to come and sign up for a 20 minute scheduled planetarium program.   While you wait your turn, we have a unique lineup of STEM activities to pass the time.  National Park Service and Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission will have activities to learn about our solar system and the constellations, and  Alaska Department of Fish and Game is bringing a moose skeleton for everyone to help re-assemble.

WISE (Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment) is a locally based nonprofit organization which provides science and environmental education, supports scientific research, and shares the natural wonders of the Copper River Basin.  Since it's founding in 2000, we have organized hundreds of events to help residents and visitors learn about this amazing place we call home.