400 Years of the Telescope | Planetarium Program | A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought

NEWSLETTER IYA CALENDAR RESOURCES GLOSSARY CONTACT US	SEARCH >>>

ENGLISH ESPAÑOL

TWO SMALL PIECES OF GLASS

TEACHER'S GUIDE AND GLOSSARY

PRODUCERS

OUTREACH

Sample Imagery

	Candle Light PLAY VIDEO
	Copernican View of the Solar System PLAY VIDEO
	Galaxy Collision PLAY VIDEO
	Herschel's Map of the Milky Way PLAY VIDEO
	Students Arriving at the Star Party PLAY VIDEO

Digital Full Dome Request Form

Two Small Pieces of Glass

The Amazing Telescope

While attending a local star party, two teenage students learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Their conversation with a local female astronomer enlightens them on the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. The students see how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe.

While looking through the astronomer's telescope, the students, along with the planetarium audience, explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral structure of galaxies. During their conversation with the astronomer, they also learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble and many others.

Visuals will include actors green screened into a computer graphic star party environment with a variety of telescopes used by amateur astronomers. As the program progresses the show uses video and full dome imagery to present the story of the telescope and the astronomers who used them to make their dramatic discoveries. All skies and full dome video will transport the planetarium audiences to some of the largest observatories in the world, as well as places of historical significance. The soundtrack was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

The planetarium show will be produced in 2 formats:

Traditional Planetarium Show
This version of the program will be distributed on DVD's featuring stills, video clips, audio, all skies, script, and other resources for non-digital planetariums. It will be distributed FREE to all planetariums — regardless of affiliation — including International Planetarium Society members in mid-January of 2009. To become an IPS member, please visit our website.

Digital Full Dome Show
This version will be distributed as dome-masters with audio in several languages. Dome-masters will be made available in 1K, 2K, and 4K sizes. Audio will be available in WAV and AC3 file formats. The digital full dome version will be made available at a small cost to cover hard drives, re-mastery, and shipping expenses. The program will be available in mid-January of 2009. Planetariums interested in acquiring the digital full dome version should complete the request form.

From Galileo to a child's spyglass

"The planetarium experience is a full immersion into what astronomers saw when they looked in their telescopes… it gives a better understanding of the process of astronomical discovery," said Interstellar Studios' producer/writer Kris Koenig.

"More than 750 planetariums around the world will be presenting the program celebrating the International Year of Astronomy," said Imiloa Planetarium Manager and International Planetarium Society Officer Shawn Laatsch.

Produced to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, Two Small Pieces of Glass traces the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass—using two small pieces of glass—to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. It explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers through out the last 400 years.

Interstellar Studios envisions planetariums and educational TV stations like PBS will work together to coordinate entertainment and educational activities to celebrate the 400-year anniversary of Galileo's first telescopic observances. Ideally, educational TV stations will tie in broadcasts of the documentary 400 Years of the Telescope to their own station fundraising efforts and to local planetarium events, including star parties, web casts featuring lectures and interviews by preeminent astronomers, and the planetarium program Two Small Pieces of Glass.

In addition, Interstellar Studios will sponsor educational astronomical events every day during the school year, geared to kids ages 5-12, featuring web-based lectures from noted astronomers and cosmologists.