CELESTIAL VIEWING; NEW PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR WANTS US TO LOOK TO THE SKY.

Byline: John Sanders Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Jeremy Amarant's goal as director of the New Sage Planetarium is to inspire.

``In an hour show, I can't present enough information where (children are) going to remember it for the rest of their lives,'' Amarant said. ``So it's not that I'm trying to take on a teaching role. It's more of an inspiration and what does astronomy or science mean to you, and how is that going to affect your life?''

Amarant, 26, took over as the planetarium director on Dec. 1, replacing John Shobbrook, who went back to his native Australia to work at the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra.

As planetarium director, Amarant will put on shows for pupils and other members of the public, create new presentations, stay current on astronomical events and do administrative and maintenance work at the planetarium, located at 38060 20th St. E. on the campus of Cactus School.

``I also want to be a resource for the teachers, so they could come and ask me about something they might want to teach that they don't know enough about,'' Amarant said.

Amarant could also work directly with Shobbrook on an idea by Shobbrook that would allow students in Palmdale to look at the southern hemisphere in Australia by telescope via computer. That project has not been completed.

A native of Northern California, Amarant holds a bachelor of science degree in astrophotography from Humboldt State University.

He spent a year in the Los Angeles area, where he worked at the Griffith Observatory.

He then moved to Phoenix, Ariz., for 2 1/2 years, where he created and presented shows at a planetarium. He also has worked at a chemistry lab and as a graphic designer.

Amarant said that although things in Lancaster are different, he still feels comfortable on the job.

``I had already worked with John (Shobbrook) a week in preparation,'' he said. ``So by the first few days I was feeling very comfortable, so the transition was smooth.''

Amarant said he had been out visiting a friend in Los Angeles, someone he had worked with at the Griffith Observatory, when the friend told him about the job opening in the Palmdale School District.

``The feedback from the community has been all good,'' Palmdale School District Superintendent Nancy Smith said. ``We got great feedback for John (Shobbrook), and I think the transition will be fine with him (Amarant).''

So far, Amarant said, nearly 600 kids have come through the planetarium for educational shows.

On Jan. 20 Amarant will have a show for the lunar eclipse from 7 to 10 p.m. at the planetarium. The show is free to the public and Amarant will have telescopes set up outside for viewing the eclipse, which becomes total at 8:43 a.m.

For information on the planetarium or coming shows, call [phone].

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2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) New Sage Planetarium director Jeremy Amarant replaced John Shobbrook, who returned to Australia to work at Canberra's Mount Stromlo Observatory.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) Director Jeremy Amarant will set up telescopes for public viewing of the Jan. 20 lunar eclipse.