A possible University connection with Baton Rouge’s new planetarium heightens interest in the successful establishment among a typically uninterested group – students.
Jon Elvert, director of the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, said the success this summer has been great. Last year 55,000 people visited the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. This summer alone 41,000 people have visited the planetarium, not counting those who went to the entire museum, Elvert said.
While families and young students are easy to convince of the benefits of going to the planetarium, college students are a harder target to reach, Elvert said. However, he said he plans on taking steps to close the gap.
“Some weekend films could possibly attract dates,” Elvert said. “Something like ‘Romance Under the Stars’ may bring in the dating public.”
Another way of connecting with students is to get connected with the University directly, Elvert said. He has talked with University faculty in the physics and astronomy department about providing the planetarium as a lab for students so they can visualize concepts instead of learning about them in a two-dimensional classroom.
Adam Hebert, an astronomy junior, said he sees benefits in that proposition.
“Being able to use the technology of the planetarium as a class could help us see what we’ve only learned about,” Hebert said. “I don’t see how the [physics and astronomy] department can refuse an offer like that.”
Astronomy professor Arlo Landolt is among many of the faculty who have not heard of the offer. Landolt said Elvert’s offer could work out.
Angela Granger, a physics sophomore, said she has never been to the planetarium but is interested in what it has to offer.
“Growing up in Baton Rouge, we didn’t have a planetarium,” Granger said. “I don’t care if LSU connects with it or not, though. I’m definitely planning a trip.”
After 12 years without a planetarium, Elvert said the community donated half of the $17 million project. State and local governments also contributed.
The architecture and advanced technology of the building itself help to provide the entertainment the public demands. The 60-foot dome theater is one of the most sophisticated multimedia presentation theaters in the country, according to the LASM Web site. The planetarium programs consist of high-resolution video projections in the ExxonMobil Space Theater.
Elvert said the programs during the week are “edutainment.” The first large-format film to be featured in the ExxonMobil Space Theater is “Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West.” The National Geographic film, narrated by Jeff Bridges, provides information as well as adventure and entertainment.
“The laser shows on the weekend, like Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ are strictly entertainment,” Elvert said. “They are a response to the demand for it.”