Museum Information - Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology

Events & Exhibits
Special Planetarium Shows for Groups For an additional $50, groups coming to the MOST can book private planetarium shows that are usually not performed for the general public. All our shows are live, utilize our Apollo star projector, and include the identification of constellations. Most private shows are 20-30 minutes long, but can sometimes vary depending on the needs of the group and the day’s schedule. Depending on availability of specialized staff we can perform one of our special shows or further customize our normal presentations to reflect the group’s interests. Private planetarium shows must be booked in advance. Teachers are encouraged to call (315) 425-9068 x2148 or email dangell@most.org with any questions or ideas. Special Shows: Our Place in the Universe: An Earth Science Regents Review Mother Earth: What We Can Learn from the Haudenosaunee Hubble-verse: Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope Dancing Light: Auroras and the Sun Astronomy 101 ¾: Astronomy and Harry Potter The Christmas Star: Theories on the Star of Bethlehem Santa’s Sky: The View from the North Pole Our Place in the Universe: An Earth Science Regents Review (back to top) Experiencing the simulated movement of the celestial sphere, learning to find ones latitude using Polaris, and seeing slides that give context to the Earth’s place in the universe are all part of a presentation that aims at making astronomy accessible to students. This planetarium show is designed primarily to help High School Earth Science students better understand concepts in the NYS Regents Exam, but is also great for Middle School classes. This show features the free downloadable planetarium program Stellarium. Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. You can download the free software at stellarium.org. (link to stellarium.org). Also, download our Earth Science Stellarium Tips (link to Earth Science Stellarium Tips.pdf) and the Stellarium Walk-Through for First Time Users. (link to StellariumGuide.pdf) Twenty minute shows feature: our place in the universe (Earth, solar system, galaxy, universe), diurnal motion, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, meridian, latitude, the North Star, and star paths. Longer shows may additionally include: phases of the Moon, the ecliptic and celestial equator, lunar and solar eclipses, and seasonal sun paths. Mother Earth: What We Can Learn from the Haudenosaunee (45 minutes) (back to top) Earth is a balanced collection of ever changing and interacting systems, but she is also our mother and our home. This presentation uses nature photography, as well as NASA imagery and video to examine the natural cycles of Earth and some of the changes we cause. Special attention is shown to the Arctic, the Aral Sea, and Central New York. Much of the show is devoted to the Haudenosaunee, their history, constellation stories, and conservation philosophies and actions. The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois, and their ancestors have lived in what we now call New York since the end of the last ice age. Their long history of successfully living with the land is used as a lesson on how to live with Mother Earth. This presentation is recommended for adults and children eight and older. Hubble-verse: Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope (45 minutes) (back to top) This presentation examines the life and work of Edwin Hubble as well as the Space Telescope that bears his name. Edwin Hubble believed that our galaxy wasn’t the only one in the universe and set out to prove his theory. His work not only pushed the size of the universe to extremes hardly imagined, but he expanded our understanding of the structure of the universe and the designs of galaxies. The Hubble Space Telescope has lived up to its name by being the greatest space telescope to date. The Hubble has shown unprecedented views of our solar system, Milky Way, and galaxies that span almost the entire history of time. This presentation features many of Hubble’s breathtaking images and explains why they are important. This show is recommended for adults and children eight and older. Dancing Light: Auroras and the Sun (30 minutes) (back to top) The Northern Lights are one of the most beautiful and fascinating natural phenomena on our planet. Using a series of visualizations from NASA, this presentation explains how they work. Also explained are some of the ways in which NASA studies the sun and why studying the sun is so important. This presentation is recommended for adults and children eight and older. Astronomy 101 ¾: Astronomy and Harry Potter (30 minutes) (back to top) Astronomy is the only topic taken at Hogwarts that is also studied in the muggle world. In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, all Hogwarts students must learn about constellations, planets, moons, and other astronomy topics. This presentation explores the role of Astronomy in Harry Potter, while also teaching the audience some astronomy basics. Audience members can practice imagining they are in the world of Harry Potter and learn the same things Harry and his friends had to study. This show includes a look at the stars as they were on Harry’s birthday, and lets the audience decide whether they think Harry was born for greatness. This presentation is recommended for fans of Harry Potter aged eight and older. The Christmas Star: Theories on the Star of Bethlehem (45 minutes) (back to top) This planetarium show brings the audience on a trip back in time to look at the sky as it was two thousand years ago and tries to answer the question ‘What was the Christmas star?’” Stories of the Christmas star have inspired people for two thousand years with both miraculous and scientific explanations given to describe the star. This show reviews the astronomical candidates for the star’s true nature. The lecture style portion of the presentation uses historical and scientific evidence to review the story of the Magi and the star in the Gospel of St. Matthew. This show is performed around Christmas, but can be booked for private shows anytime of the year. Because of the length, longer lecture period, and information that is potentially confusing to young children, this show is recommended for adults and children eight and older. Santa’s Sky: The View from the North Pole (20 minutes) (back to top) Did you ever wonder what the sky looks like from Santa’s workshop? How did Santa navigate at night before the invention of GPS? This presentation uses our Apollo star projector to give us a view of the night sky from the North Pole. We will talk about the Big and Little Dippers and how to use the North Star to find your way at night. This presentation is recommended for anyone who believes in Santa.

Events & Exhibits

Special Planetarium Shows for Groups
For an additional $50, groups coming to the MOST can book private planetarium shows that are usually not performed for the general public. All our shows are live, utilize our Apollo star projector, and include the identification of constellations. Most private shows are 20-30 minutes long, but can sometimes vary depending on the needs of the group and the day’s schedule. Depending on availability of specialized staff we can perform one of our special shows or further customize our normal presentations to reflect the group’s interests. Private planetarium shows must be booked in advance. Teachers are encouraged to call (315) 425-9068 x2148 or email dangell@most.org with any questions or ideas.

Special Shows:

Our Place in the Universe: An Earth Science Regents Review
Mother Earth: What We Can Learn from the Haudenosaunee
Hubble-verse: Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope
Dancing Light: Auroras and the Sun
Astronomy 101 ¾: Astronomy and Harry Potter
The Christmas Star: Theories on the Star of Bethlehem
Santa’s Sky: The View from the North Pole

Our Place in the Universe: An Earth Science Regents Review (back to top)
Experiencing the simulated movement of the celestial sphere, learning to find ones latitude using Polaris, and seeing slides that give context to the Earth’s place in the universe are all part of a presentation that aims at making astronomy accessible to students. This planetarium show is designed primarily to help High School Earth Science students better understand concepts in the NYS Regents Exam, but is also great for Middle School classes. This show features the free downloadable planetarium program Stellarium.
Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. You can download the free software at stellarium.org. (link to stellarium.org). Also, download our Earth Science Stellarium Tips (link to Earth Science Stellarium Tips.pdf) and the Stellarium Walk-Through for First Time Users. (link to StellariumGuide.pdf)
Twenty minute shows feature: our place in the universe (Earth, solar system, galaxy, universe), diurnal motion, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, meridian, latitude, the North Star, and star paths.
Longer shows may additionally include: phases of the Moon, the ecliptic and celestial equator, lunar and solar eclipses, and seasonal sun paths.

Mother Earth: What We Can Learn from the Haudenosaunee (45 minutes) (back to top)
Earth is a balanced collection of ever changing and interacting systems, but she is also our mother and our home. This presentation uses nature photography, as well as NASA imagery and video to examine the natural cycles of Earth and some of the changes we cause. Special attention is shown to the Arctic, the Aral Sea, and Central New York. Much of the show is devoted to the Haudenosaunee, their history, constellation stories, and conservation philosophies and actions. The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois, and their ancestors have lived in what we now call New York since the end of the last ice age. Their long history of successfully living with the land is used as a lesson on how to live with Mother Earth. This presentation is recommended for adults and children eight and older.

Hubble-verse: Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope (45 minutes) (back to top)
This presentation examines the life and work of Edwin Hubble as well as the Space Telescope that bears his name. Edwin Hubble believed that our galaxy wasn’t the only one in the universe and set out to prove his theory. His work not only pushed the size of the universe to extremes hardly imagined, but he expanded our understanding of the structure of the universe and the designs of galaxies. The Hubble Space Telescope has lived up to its name by being the greatest space telescope to date. The Hubble has shown unprecedented views of our solar system, Milky Way, and galaxies that span almost the entire history of time. This presentation features many of Hubble’s breathtaking images and explains why they are important. This show is recommended for adults and children eight and older.

Dancing Light: Auroras and the Sun (30 minutes) (back to top)
The Northern Lights are one of the most beautiful and fascinating natural phenomena on our planet. Using a series of visualizations from NASA, this presentation explains how they work. Also explained are some of the ways in which NASA studies the sun and why studying the sun is so important. This presentation is recommended for adults and children eight and older.

Astronomy 101 ¾: Astronomy and Harry Potter (30 minutes) (back to top)
Astronomy is the only topic taken at Hogwarts that is also studied in the muggle world. In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, all Hogwarts students must learn about constellations, planets, moons, and other astronomy topics. This presentation explores the role of Astronomy in Harry Potter, while also teaching the audience some astronomy basics. Audience members can practice imagining they are in the world of Harry Potter and learn the same things Harry and his friends had to study. This show includes a look at the stars as they were on Harry’s birthday, and lets the audience decide whether they think Harry was born for greatness. This presentation is recommended for fans of Harry Potter aged eight and older.

The Christmas Star: Theories on the Star of Bethlehem (45 minutes) (back to top)
This planetarium show brings the audience on a trip back in time to look at the sky as it was two thousand years ago and tries to answer the question ‘What was the Christmas star?’” Stories of the Christmas star have inspired people for two thousand years with both miraculous and scientific explanations given to describe the star. This show reviews the astronomical candidates for the star’s true nature. The lecture style portion of the presentation uses historical and scientific evidence to review the story of the Magi and the star in the Gospel of St. Matthew. This show is performed around Christmas, but can be booked for private shows anytime of the year. Because of the length, longer lecture period, and information that is potentially confusing to young children, this show is recommended for adults and children eight and older.

Santa’s Sky: The View from the North Pole (20 minutes) (back to top)
Did you ever wonder what the sky looks like from Santa’s workshop? How did Santa navigate at night before the invention of GPS? This presentation uses our Apollo star projector to give us a view of the night sky from the North Pole. We will talk about the Big and Little Dippers and how to use the North Star to find your way at night. This presentation is recommended for anyone who believes in Santa.

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Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology - 500 South Franklin Street, Syracuse, New York 13202. Phone (315)425-9068