[Make it Lady (OP)]

Just been to the preview for the openning of what will be the biggest planetarium in the UK. It is at INTECH in Winchester Hampshire. The graphics are brilliant and the non-presenter lead shows look very, very promising. I highly recommend it but give it ubtil the summer holidays to go and visit as I'm sure it will be over-the top busy when it opens at the Easter bank holidays.
Brilliant place to take the kids especially 9-14 year olds. The hands on exhibitions are suitable for all ages.
 

[DoctorBeaver]

I haven't been to a planetarium for years - and I was born in Hampshire!

Winchester is a couple of hours drive from here so maybe we'll head down that way in the summer holidays. Thanks for the tip.

[turnipsock]

I went to the one at Greenwich not that long ago. The show was very basic and I'm sure it was pretty much the same script that they used at the one, next to Tusauds, 40 years ago. They did tag on a bit about the latest comet at the end. I felt they could be doing a lot more with this thing.

They did ask for questions at the end and I suppose people would be asking the lecturer what their star sign was and what is their favorite planet. I should really have thought up some tricky questions for them.

I'll certainly give this new place a go when I'm down that way.

[DoctorBeaver]

Get Brian May along there. He knows a bit about astrophysics.

[turnipsock]

That's an idea, what are the acoustics like?

I think the planatariums focus on things like Ursa Major as its always visable.

[DoctorBeaver]

And Orion.

[Make it Lady (OP)]

This is why I suggested that you don't go to the presenter lead shows as they are the same old, same old. I used to live next door to Jodral Bank and yes they did the old stars and signs stuff. The non-presenter shows are going to be something else. The first one will be about black holes. I've never seen that done before. It is better than the Greenwich one because of the way the screen is designed and they haven't rammed all the seats in like Greenwich have. I don't know whats on the website but anyone planning to travel down should book in advance as I think it will be popular.

www.intech-uk.com

The contact details are on the site and some picture of it being built, I just checked.

[DoctorBeaver]

*scampers off to have a peek*

[that mad man]

This is a nice piece of free space simulation software for windows/mac/linux. Very comprehensive, educational, fun to play with and lots of downloadable add-ons too.

Its like a real-time planetarium but you are not restricted to just an Earth view.

http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

[Make it Lady (OP)]

Hi all, Here is an update on the planetarium.

http://www.intech-uk.com/folders/planetarium/planetarium_calendar.cfm