Meeting of like minds
LAST week I had the pleasure of attending the biennial conference of the International Planetarium Society in Toulouse, France.
It was a magnificent setting, at the Cite de l’Espace not far from the city centre, and attracted more than 500 participants.
With about 700 members, the IPS is the world’s largest organisation of planetarium professionals, and has been meeting in various locations around the globe since 1970. The previous four conferences were held in Egypt (2010), the US (2012), China (2014) and Poland (2016).
The Cite de l’Espace — Space City in English — opened in 1997. It is a major facility for explaining astronomy and space activities to the public. It has two planetariums and great associated exhibits, with the most spectacular aspect of the site being an outdoor display of space hardware models. These include replicas of the European Space Agency’s Ariane 5 rocket, and the Mir space station, which came to its fiery end in the Earth’s atmosphere in 2001.
Toulouse itself is important in relation to astronomical history and research. It is the site of the Jolimont Observatory on Jolimont Hill, which is only about a kilometre from Toulouse’s main railway station. Astronomical observations there commenced about 1850; today, it is an important historical site.
A two-hour trip from Toulouse is the famous Pic du Midi Observatory, which is situated in a spectacular setting in the Pyrenees in far southern France, not far from the Spanish border.
It is well known for its astronomical research activities, particularly in relation to the moon and planets. At an elevation of 3000m, the popular way to access it is by cable car from the nearby village of La Mongie.
As part of the conference, many delegates made a visit to the observatory. The site is open to the public; if you happen one day to find yourself in that part of France, do pay a visit!
The conference itself had a theme entitled Planetarium Live!. This theme means a great deal to us at the Launceston Planetarium, and indeed to so many people around the world involved in the profession.
Although the recorded show, projected onto the dome, is always important and interesting, it is the live part of each presentation that completely sets a planetarium show apart from any other experience one can have.
The IPS continues to looking to the future, and an important topic discussed once again was the Vision 2020 initiative, which will involve a restructure of the society.
Several of us are working to increase the inclusion of more and more countries, and the enthusiasm shown by so many people is infectious.
Among the most impressive are the efforts that are being made in Africa, often in areas that have a shortage of funding.
Two members based in Kenya are working hard to establish a planetarium and observatory about two hours’ drive from Nairobi; and several years ago two USbased members were instrumental in assisting in the establishment of a planetarium in Accra, Ghana.
Another country that impresses me in its efforts in astronomy education is Ukraine, which contains several planetariums. I was delighted that two of my colleagues from Kharkiv and one from Donetsk attended the conference, and they are keen for their country to formally affiliate with the IPS.
One thing is certain: audience numbers are increasing as more and more people want to learn about the night sky and all things astronomical, especially by hearing about it from the astronomer present!