Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center
Touring around the world is every traveler’s dream. From cruising to nature tripping, everything is in their to-do list. But traveling is not only about the water, the land and the bees and the trees. It is also about the sky and the science behind it. Reno, Nevada is the best place to see the beauty of the sky in its Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center.
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center started in 1964 as “Fleischmann Atmospherium-Planetarium.” After nearly five decades of existence, the planetarium continuously adapts new technology to produce extraordinary visualization tool to satisfy every guest’s experience.
During its early years, it was the first planetarium in the world that projected full-dome movies of weather phenomena and time-lapse clouds. Currently, it uses the Spitz SciDome digital projector, an HD system high-resolution pixel-perfect projector with an amazing sharpness and bright images. It has a 60-seat theater using the 70mm film projector and powerful surround-sound system.
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center features a planetarium star show, a planetarium light show and a film. The planetarium star shows include tales of the ancient empires and its recorded astronomical events. It also shows the mathematical system used in developing the calendars today. Guests can also watch fiction related productions with titles like “Attack of the Space Pirates.” The planetarium light show presents an HD animation with classic rock music in a surround-sound perfect for adults and fans of this genre. Documentary films of underwater filmmakers and ocean explorers Howard and Michele Hall are also shown explaining the environment of the global oceans.
Free exhibits are also available daily at the main floor which contains permanent exhibits and changing hands-on interactive displays. It features In Perspective, Meteorites-Rocks from Space and Perceptual Relativity. In Perspective contains the solar system, 6-foot rotating moon and Earth globes and black-hole simulator. Dozens of meteorites in different weight are included in the Meteorites-Rocks from Space. The new Perceptual Relativity exhibit provides visual illusions which may vary based on individual perception. Guests can expect a lot in this exhibit. From the stationary figures which appear to move, colors and lines that are warped by their surroundings to pictures that when turned will create a new perception.
Revelations from Einstein’s Theory of Relativity shows that space and time is dependent to its observer. It also revealed that sights and sounds are also reliant on the perspective of the human mind. Faculty and students in the Graduate Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences in the University’s Department of Psychology created the Perceptual Relativity Exhibit. It was supported by the OSA Foundation and the University of Nevada, Reno College of Liberal Arts by grants.
At the Planetarium’s lower level includes the four galleries namely, ViewSpace, NASA Featured Projects, Amazing Space and Art/Space Gallery. The ViewSpace, also known as the Hubble Gallery, features current space news which is regularly updated. It also shows the Hubble findings which are beamed and produced from the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md. NASA’s present and future missions and projects are visually presented in the NASA Featured Projects gallery through a video kiosk. The Amazing Space gallery can be viewed at the computer kiosk presenting NASA’s Amazing Space educational program. Regional and national artists’ astronomy-themed artworks are showcased in the rotating exhibits of the Art/Space Gallery.
After the educational visit, guests of all ages will definitely love the planetarium’s Science Store. With the wide-range of smart stuffs, each guest will surely bring home any items for themselves or for their friends as a gift. Telescopes, kid’s spacesuits, logo merchandise mugs, astronaut food, glow-in-the-dark stars, rockets, pinhole camera kits, geodes, space plants, slime, robots and many more are offered in the Science Store. All purchases are tax-exempt and all revenues support the Planetarium and its programs.
Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is located at Virginia and 16th streets, north of Lawlor Events Center on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
