From Russian Planetarium Asscoiation (30.06.2012)

Weather conditions favored observing Venus transit over the solar disk at about half of Russian planetariums.

Yaroslavl.Theinternationalconference “Planetarium of the 21^st century” has been held on April 6-7 at the Tereshkova Center for Culture and Education. The conference was dedicated to the first year of operation of the center which includes planetarium, museum, and observatory. Over 100 conference attendees included planetarians from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Germany, as well as honored guests such as Academician Anatoly M. Cherepashchuk, Director of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute of the Moscow State University and RPA President; Sigmund Jahn, German pilot-cosmonaut; Thomas Kraupe, IPS President-Elect; Wilfried Lang, Vice President of “Carl Zeiss” company; et al.

The major part of the conference schedule has been devoted to the concept of modern planetarium including overview of Russian and worldwide activities, architecture and technological features of planetarium design and construction. “Carl Zeiss” company demonstrated the capabilities of modern projection equipment and some fulldome media.

The conference adopted a resolution on the development of planetarium network in Russia in order to support growing up new intellectual generation capable of promote progress of the country and mankind.

Moscow. Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, visited Big Moscow Planetarium on April 12 together with Sergey Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, Dmitry Rogozin, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and Vladimir Popovkin, the Head of ROSKOSMOS. They saw showpieces of the exhibition and the show “Under the Planetarium Stellar Heaven.” V.Putin presented awards to a few veteran cosmonauts. D. Rogozin emphasized the of constructing planetariums in other large Russian cities. For details, visit http://mosplanetarium.livejournal.com/192312.html#cutid1 .

New digital fulldome equipment of the Planetarium of Cultural Center of the Russian Army has been presented to public on June 9 beforehand the official opening (June 20) of the Year of Germany in Russia 2012/2013 held under the motto “Germany and Russia: Building the Future Together.” Hence, “Carl Zeiss” in cooperation with “Svensons – Design Company” (Moscow) made technological upgrade of this planetarium where annual schools of planetarium lecturers are traditionally organized. The presentation has been attended by a number of Moscow scientists participated in the traditional “Science Tribune” lecture cycle, regular visitors, and pupils of the Nakhimov Marine School (St.Petersburg). Now the techniques for efficient use of the new capabilities will be developed.

Nizhny Novgorod. The final run of “Znatoki+” contest has been held at Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium on April 3-4. Winners among the best fifth- and nineth/tenth-form schoolchildren teams from regional and city districts were determined. In total, over 124 such teams (over 1200 children and 167 teachers) from Nizhny Novgorod and nearby towns Bor, Dzerzhinsk, and Kstovo participated in different stages of the contest since November, 2011. The contest has been held since November, 2011. Knowledge of natural sciences such as physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biology demonstrated by team members has been monitored and evaluated by strict and competent jury comprising school teachers in physics and, supervisors from local-district administrations for education, and educators from the Chair for Natural Sciences of the Nizhny Novgorod Institute For the Development of Education.

An extended program has been offered to public at Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium on April 12, the International Day of Human Space Flight. Victor D.Blagov, Head of Flight Control Department of the S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation «Energia» (Moscow), delivered a talk on the current status of the field and prospects of space exploration for veterans of Baikonur launch site. The guest participated in the jury of a blitz quiz delivered in the Big Dome and participate by teams from Nizny Novgorod lyceum No. 87 and school No. 70, Nizhny Novgorod Medical College, School No. 8 of Bor town, and retired people from “Friendship” Club. The team members were to quickly answer quite difficult questions having only 1 minute to find each answer. As a result, “Friendship” proved to be the best.

Novokuznetsk. A conference devoted to the International Day of Human Space Flight has been held at the Novokuznetsk Planetarium on April 12. A contest for secondary-school children has been organized within the framework of the conference.

Pyatigorsk.Pyatigorsk Planetarium at this Northern Caucasus city has been closed for 22 years. Mrs. Anna Platonova, a venturer, purchased the building for a café and decided to reopen planetarium. She has got a 5-projector fulldome facility by “Planeta” company (St.-Petersburg) and a few fulldome shows.

Welcome to the new RPA website http://www.apr.planetariums.ru/ .