IN A GALAXY NOT SO FARAWAY.You're enveloped en·vel·op tr.v. en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing, en·vel·ops 1. To enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering: "Accompanying the darkness, a stillness envelops the city" in blackness, the stars rotate overhead - except for the North Star, which, you're reminded in the lecture, stays perpetually still. Suddenly, a star goes supernova supernova, a massive star in the latter stages of stellar evolution that suddenly contracts and then explodes, increasing its energy output as much as a billionfold. ! New-age music plays softly while a spirited voice dramatizes the event. An otherworldly evening awaits both the star-savvy and astronomical neophytes during monthly shows at the Los Angeles Valley College LAVC redirects here. For the software library, see libavcodec. The university is adjacent to Grant High School. Often called "Valley College" or simply "Valley" by those who frequent the campus, it opened its doors to the public on September 12, 1949, at which time the campus was planetarium planetarium, optical device used to project a representation of the heavens onto a domed ceiling; the term also designates the building that houses such a device. A modern planetarium consists of as many as 150 motor-driven projectors mounted on an axis. and observatory, 5800 Fulton Ave. in Van Nuys. The planetarium contains 50 swivel seats with headrests and an intricate set of controls. As the lights are extinguished, a projector simulates the nighttime sky on the 24-foot-diameter dome. Depending upon the evening's topic, special-effect projectors create auroras, meteors and other visual effects. A babble of technotalk about atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons, for example, might confound con·found tr.v. con·found·ed, con·found·ing, con·founds 1. To cause to become confused or perplexed. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. you, but most of the information is designed to fascinate. Did you know that the Andromeda galaxy Andromeda Galaxy, cataloged as M31 and NGC 224, the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way and the only one visible to the naked eye in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also known as the Great Nebula in Andromeda. It is 2. , 2.1 million light years away (and visible to the naked eye) is considered our ``sister galaxy''? Astronomy instructor David Falk David B. Falk (born 1950)[1][2] is an American sports agent who primarily works with NBA players. He is best known for representing sports icon Michael Jordan for the entirety of Jordan's career. , faculty adviser to the college's Astronomy Club, marvels at the public appeal of the shows. ``We've been selling them out. ... Astronomy is one of the earliest of the natural sciences, so people are naturally curious about it. We find this acts as a real magnet to draw people in.'' ``We're very interested in anything scientific,'' said Lee-Ann Rubinstein of Sherman Oaks, who attended a recent show with her son. ``With the lack of science the kids are getting nowadays, I think it's even more important for parents to step in, and I think this is a wonderful way to do it.'' Before and after the show, head upstairs to the observatory and peer through the 16-inch Celestron telescope. Among other celestial offerings is a decent view of Jupiter and its four Galilean satellites (moons) - so named because Galileo was the first to see them. You'll even learn astronomically correct terminology. ``The name of Earth's natural satellite is Moon,'' said club member Hugo Festner of Van Nuys. ``Technically, the term `satellite' is correct. The Earth just happens to have one natural satellite.'' A ``star party,'' a monthly club event near the full moon - uh, satellite - takes you behind telescopes under the actual stars. Participants meet on campus and travel together to Angeles Crest. Bring a red-filtered flashlight and dress warm. Public response may increase the frequency of planetarium shows. The Astronomy Club welcomes members from the public. ``We don't just do shows,'' Falk emphasized. ``We encourage people to come out to us to participate in astronomy.'' The next planetarium show (8 p.m. Nov. 15), ``The Heart of the Milky Way Milky Way, the galaxy of which the sun and solar system are a part, seen as a broad band of light arching across the night sky from horizon to horizon; if not blocked by the horizon, it would be seen as a circle around the entire sky. ,'' looks at the core of our own galaxy. Admission is $3.50 general; $2.50 seniors, club members and LAVC LAVC Los Angeles Valley College LAVC Local Area VAX Cluster (DEC) Associated Student Union members with ID; $2 children 8-16. Kids under 8 are not admitted. The next star party is Saturday. The club provides shows to private and school groups. Information: (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: ``Astronomy is one of the earliest of the natural sciences, so people are naturally curious about it,'' says Valley College astronomy instructor David Falk. Tom Mendoza/Daily News |
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