The STARLAB Portable Sky Theater
Coming to Your Oregon/Washington Coast Neighborhood.
North
Coast Astronomy Tours brings the STARLAB Portable Planetarium and astronomy
education and entertainment to the North Oregon Coast, southern Washington
and any rural area within reach. Perfect for school groups, scouts, Elder
Hostle, birthday parties and community events. Why travel to a science
museum? We can bring the wonders of the night sky to you.
...a portable planetarium.
It is an inflatable dome capable of accommodating up to 30 students or
20 adults. Inside the dome, a cylinder projector displays the
night sky devoid of light pollution, clouds or rain. It can take us on
a journey to the Equator and on to 
the
North Pole. We can see the sky as it looks right now anywhere in the world,
or at any time. We can observe our whole galaxy and study the Solar System.
We can look deep beneath the earth's crust to see the tectonic plates
and study causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. We
can see the sky through the eyes of ancient cultures, and study the tales
of Native Americans.
STARLAB is composed of a projector, a fan, and a vast array of projection cylinders. STARLAB creates a unique learning environment for virtually every level of education. It fits in a 16' X 16' X 11' area. It can be set up in gymnasiums, conference rooms, anywhere that meets the space requirements. The fan inflates the dome and circulates fresh air to maintain a comfortable and safe enviornment. Students may enter through the tunnel, or through the handicap access.
Once inside, the lights are lowered, and the projector delivers a stunning display of the night sky, including the Milky Way, on the inside of the dome.
In
addition to the night sky, STARLAB can present the constellations, positions
of the moon and planets for any time, celestial coordinates, a map of
the world, and the sky as seen by Native Americans and cultures throughout
the world.
Key to the STARLAB experience is the state-of-the-art projector usiing
fiber optic technology to produce intense pinpoint star images never before
seen in small projectors. 
It
features bright, crisp projections of constellations, the earth and other
images with full-color saturation. The projector is paired with the Multilens
Starfeild Cylinder made exclusively for the STARLAB. Interchangeable projection
cylinders allow us to demonstrate the night sky including the constellations,
the solar system and the Milky Way
Cylinders in the North CAT inventory allow us to present the following programs:
Constellations - Using the well-known constellation identification system of H.A. Rey, this program features the 48 major constellations, the ecliptic, and celestial equator, colorfully displayed for the ultimate in visual retention. For Star identification, planetary positions, and the path of the sun and moon. Useful at all grade levels to facilitate rapid orientation for outdoor observations.
Solar System & Galaxy - The Solar System & Galaxy cylinder projects scaled representations of the sun and the principal bodies of the solar system in color with tables of basic statistics. The enormous distances between the planets are shown to scale. The Milky Way Galaxy can also be featured in full color, complete with spiral arms and a scaled distance line.
Native American Mythology - This program features colorful outlines of figurtes from Native American folklore such as Long Sash, the Great Bear, First Man and Woman, Spider God and many others, as well as legends drawn from the Navajo, Shoshoni, Blackfoot, Cherokee, Tewa, Hopi and Algonquin tribes. Excellent for use with K-6 students studying astronomy and anthropology.
Plate Tectonics - This program features a global tectonic projection based on the work of Dr. Paul D. Lowman, (the Continental Drift Theory), at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This map shows active ridges, faults, spreading centers, and volcanic activity over the past 1 million years.
Lewis & Clark Celestial Navigation - In celebration of the expedition of Lewis & Clark, this program shows the celestial equator, the lines of right ascension and declination, the ecliptic, the zodiacal constellation, the precession circle and constellations, and the north celestial pole. Twenty-six student activities demonstrate how Lewis and Clark used celestial navigation to determine their location in the uncharted territory of the mid and northwest U.S. This curriculum is an important aid for teaching middle school through adults about celestial coordinates, celestial navigation, astronomy, history and geography.
The minimum cost for set-up and two programs is $250, within a 50 mile radius of Astoria, Or. Add $50 for each additional program up to 5 in one day. $40 will be charged for each additional 50 driving miles from Astoria.
To schedule a program contact Bob or Janean Duke at Home Office - (360) 665-0772, Cell Phone - (503)440-7925 or send an e-mail now to duke@99west.com
I have been involved with astronomy education for the most part of
my life. My interest in astronomy began when I was 13. I frequently assisted
my dad, planetarium director at Sierra College in 
California,
with the development of planetarim curriculum in the 1960's for Spitz
Labs.
I graduated from Cal State in 1970 with a degree in Anthropology but my primary interest has been in astronomy and astronomy education.
I have hands-on planetarium experience under the guidance of Director Doug McCarty at the Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater in Gresham, Or.
I served on the board of directors for the Rose City Astronomers for four years in the early '90's and then started the Mt. Hood Observatory Association at Mt. Hood Community College, where I taught observational astronomy for a number of years, using the Planetarium Sky Theater to great effectiveness.
I built high quality astronomical instruments from 1990 to 2000.
After moving to The Dalles where I worked as tour guide on the Columbia River, I continued to teach observational astronomy at Columbia Gorge Community College, but greatly missed the versatility of the planetarium experience.
Now here in Astoria on the north Oregon coast, I am very pleased to bring the STARLAB portable planetarium to rural schools and communities along the coast. My vast experience with the public, schools, scouting, and astronomy assure your group of a memorable experience.
The Portable Sky Theater will be:
At the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center September 23
"There is very little doubt in the minds of anyone who steps into the STARLAB Dome, that it has a unique ability to draw everyone into a wonderful and magical world of astronomy - from novices to experts, from kindergartners to grandparents, from students to teachers. The sky we see each night reveals many mysteries of our existence. By looking and listening to those distant worlds, we know so much more today about the origins of the universe, the nature of our galaxy, the composition of our Solar System, and the condition of our home - Earth."
Alexandra Lasevich, Math Teacher, Kent Place School, Summit, New Jersey
Scheduling a Program at your School or Neighborhood