astronomy 5-year report
CRANBROOK INSTITUTEOFSCIENCE O B SERVATORY ACH E SON PLANETAR I U M
THE ACHESON PLANETARIUM, CRANBROOK OBSERVATORY, AND ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM AT CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
“The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us— there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, or falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.”
- Carl Sagan
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WHY astronomy?
For nearly two decades, Mike and Adele Acheson have partnered with Cranbrook Institute of Science to provide state-of-the-art Astronomy-related experiences. These initiatives have provided exciting opportunities for STEAM learning for hundreds of thousands of visitors and have helped shape the future generation of STEAM leaders
Astronomy is often viewed as a gateway to other sciences as it serves as a popular and accessible platform for linking to other areas of STEAM. With the Institute’s mission to foster in its audiences a passion for understanding the world around them and a lifelong love of learning, our Astronomy experiences provide that natural first step into other STEAM fields for our visitors.
Experiences such as the Acheson Planetarium, Cranbrook Observatory, and Acheson Mobile Planetarium help create enthusiasm for learning and can spark an increased passion for STEAM and future STEAM-related
career opportunities for our guests.
In late 2011, the newly christened Acheson Planetarium, named in honor of Michael and Adele Acheson and their family, underwent a major technological overhaul. The upgrades offered visitors a 360-degree experience with a 5.1 surround sound system that delivered images that were three times brighter, crisper, and more color-saturated than before. In addition, a new “green” LED lighting system allowed the projection of any color in the spectrum and greater visual effects capabilities.
Over the past five years, nearly 150,000 guests have watched a show in the Acheson Planetarium.
Acheson Planetarium at Cranbrook Institute of Science is the most significantly advanced technological showpiece at the Institute, giving our audiences access to a state-of-the-art Digistar star projector.
Cranbrook Observatory
Mobile Planetarium
5-year report astronomy Acheson Planetarium
Acheson
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Acheson Planetarium has hosted and astronomy staff have helped curate and develop three CAA senior projects.
connecting CRANBROOK
2,169 Cranbrook Schools students have viewed a show in the Acheson Planetarium over the past five years
(40% of all requests!)
The Institute of Science has always served as a central point of connection for multiple program areas across campus, and its Astronomy programs are no exception. From Cranbrook students taking field trips to the Observatory and Planetarium, HUB students taking elective credits in Astronomy, and Art Academy students presenting art projects in the Acheson Planetarium, the Institute is a proud partner for collaborative STEAM programming at Cranbrook.
THE ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM
Since 2018, the Acheson Mobile Planetarium has allowed the Institute to bring its signature Astronomy programming to nearly 6,000 individuals across the State of Michigan. A portion of these experiences have been paid for by school districts, scout groups, community centers, and more, but the Acheson Mobile Planetarium has also been utilized in multiple outreach programs at no cost to communities and schools in need.
For example:
• A group of 100 students experiencing pediatric cancer enjoyed the Mobile Planetarium during a visit to the Stahl Automotive Museum.
• 150 students in Hamtramck could view a planetarium show at their school.
• 100 students from Flint enjoyed the “Dinosaurs at Dusk” planetarium show.
• 200 students from Pontiac enjoyed the “Night Sky Objects and Beyond” and “From Dream to Discovery: Inside NASA Engineering” shows.
THE CRANBROOK OBSERVATORY
The Cranbrook Observatory is one of the landmark structures at Cranbrook and is the only structure remaining from the campus’ preSaarinen years. It has introduced hundreds of thousands of Cranbrook visitors to the wonders of the night sky, including nearly 40,000 visitors in just the past five years.
The most popular Acheson Mobile Planetarium show is “Night Sky Objects and Beyond.”4
5-year report astronomy
CRANBROOK
Academy of Art · Art Museum · Center for Collections & Research House & Gardens · Institute of Science · Schools
In 2012, the Cranbrook Observatory received its own upgrade that made it digitally compatible with the Acheson Planetarium and allowed for live images to be projected on the planetarium dome. This upgrade replaced the observatory’s aging infrastructure as well as replaced the existing telescope with research-grade equipment. Specifically, these tools have allowed observers to experience extremely clear, highly magnified views of planets and their atmospheric and surface details; to see faint, nebulous deep-sky objects such as galaxies and globular clusters not visible with the current instrument; and to use scientific tools actively employed by today’s research astronomers. The Cranbrook Observatory, along with the Acheson Planetarium, continues to serve as a primary driver for visitor attendance at the Institute of Science. Events focused on Astronomy, such as recent Lunar and Solar Eclipse events have surpassed attendance expectations and showcase that the night sky continues to be at the heart of the Institute.
The Observatory recently upgraded its camera! This photo represents the camera’s “first light” image of the Rosette Nebula. The new camera allows the Institute to image deep sky objects that normally would be partially or entirely obscured by the light pollution in our area.
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Telephone: 00 123 456 789 Fax: 00 123 456 789 E-mail: office@example.com science.cranbrook.edu CRANBROOK INSTITUTEOFSCIENCE O B SERVATORY ACH E SON PLANETAR I U M