12/25/2020
🌎 🚀 🌙 🎄
Neil Armstrong Planetarium
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The Neil Armstrong Planetarium at Altoona Area High School hosts high school Astronomy classes and public and private sky shows- come "Inside Outer Space!"
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The Neil Armstrong Planetarium at Altoona Area High School (AAHS) is an active part of the Altoona and wider Blair County community. During the school day, approximately 150 high school students are educated in the Planetarium's 2 year-long Academic Astronomy classes (level 3) an 3 semester-long Astronomy classes (level 2). Astronomy is an elective at AAHS, but does count for science credits for participating students. Elementary school groups often visit the Planetarium in the afternoon, particularly students from nearby Penn-Lincoln Elementary, who all make the short walk to the Planetarium with their teachers 3x per year. The Planetarium has hosted groups from every public elementary school in Altoona, as well as Parochial and homeschool groups. A typical evening may see the Planetarium play host to a birthday party, visiting Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Brownies, or Girl Scout group, private sky show, or even a night of our new Adult Night Sky Study course! The Planetarium has truly become a cross-curricular facility, with interactive modules designed for mythology, history, English, and environmental sciences classes. We are expanding our community partnerships, and have worked with the Altoona Public Library, Quaint Corner Children's Museum, Fort Roberdeau, Indian Caverns, and the Church in the Middle of the Block community center. So come visit the Planetarium! There's always something to explore "Inside Outer Space!"
Mission: Our mission is to promote the science and history of astronomy, and a better understanding of our place in the Cosmos, to students and guests alike!
Operating as usual
12/22/2020
Not bound beneath our ever-present blanket of Central PA clouds, former AAHS teacher Amy Russell snapped this shots of the conjunction from her boat in Key Largo, FL!
It looks like you can even see some separation between the planets in her closeups. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you, Amy! 🪐 🔭 ⛵️
12/21/2020
So sorry friends! Due to a nasty weather forecast, in-person viewing of tonight’s epic conjunction at the Mt. Lion Observatory is canceled 😞
But check out the super-cute Google Doodle today, and keep an eye online for live sky feeds of the event from around the world!
12/19/2020
Alien Hunters Discover Mysterious Signal from Proxima Centauri
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/alien-hunters-discover-mysterious-signal-from-proxima-centauri/?fbclid=IwAR0AmewB5UcF09XeZPYUGucj78eyVpr6CTYkbk1S8a96AkcaVle5L_Xb17Y
This seems promising! And if not Proxima, Alpha Centauri A and B are even more sunlike! (It is 2020, after all!) #SETI 👽 👽 👽
Strange radio transmissions appear to be coming from our nearest star system; now scientists are trying to work out what is sending them
12/18/2020
You aren’t bound to a tiny screen for our holiday sky show. Our 6:00 guests are getting very creative! Here, Planetarium All-Star and all-around swell guy Mike Kess ling streamed it to his home theater screen, which is *almost* as big as our Planetarium dome.
His son Dylan insisted on popcorn, to complete the Planetarium experience. 🍿 🍿 🍿
12/18/2020
Oh wow it’s really working! The 1st virtual sky show in Planetarium history is underway! #SeasonOfLight #aahsastronomy
12/18/2020
Oh yeah! Only a few hours until showtime! Start a fire on the hearth, pop open your favorite bottle of sparkling cider, and snuggle down with your loved ones for our virtual “Season of Light” holiday sky show. 🎄 🔥 🥂 🎁
12/17/2020
Please join us for our virtual Holiday Sky Show Friday night at 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00PM! #aahsastronomy
12/14/2020
When our old lobby doors were replaced, we also lost our awesome entry decals with them. No fear! Thanks to Image Signs, they are back and better than ever!
Special shout out to owner Suzy and assistant Austin, who expertly installed them today, and our amazing graphic designer Eric Beeler, who has a hand in most of our artwork!
12/11/2020
Photos from Neil Armstrong Planetarium's post
12/09/2020
Former Israeli space chief says aliens exist, and Trump knows about it
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weird-news/former-israeli-space-security-chief-says-extraterrestrials-exist-trump-knows-n1250333
Look out. This official becomes at least the 2nd- along with former Canadian Minister of Defense Paul Hellyer- to admit that not only do extraterrestrials exist, but they have been interacting with Earth for a long time.
🌎 👽 👽 👽 🛸
A "galactic federation" has been waiting for humans to "reach a stage where we will understand... what space and spaceships are," Haim Eshed said.
12/07/2020
Just recorded 3 new episodes, so stay tuned!
1) Arecibo message and crop circles
2) “Mel’s Holes”
3) Simultaneous inventions
@majesticearsonly on FB
https://jgeis1701d.wixsite.com/majesticearsonly
12/02/2020
Jupiter and Saturn Will Align to Create the First "Christmas Star" in Nearly 800 Years
https://www.popsugar.com/node/48024008
Courtesy of one of our favorite patrons Lissa Huber, check out the awesome “Christmas Star” conjunction that’s arriving on the Winter Solstice on December 21st!
Jupiter and Saturn will align this December to create a "Christmas Star" in the night sky, so keep your eyes open!
12/01/2020
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico Collapses Weeks After Suffering Major Damage | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com
https://weather.com/news/news/2020-12-01-arecibo-observatory-radio-telescope-collapses?fbclid=IwAR2CVEoy_nnvZFT7T6QG3nc1F6LCj5Kt88CuwXw3SZh0vxhnq34XdkFX0d0
RIP Arecibo. Thanks to my students and colleague Damian Branas for sending this my way. 👽 📻
Two cables snapped on the huge radio telescope in Puerto Rico earlier this year, forcing it to close. - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com
12/01/2020
Yassssssssss. Figured out a way using a fisheye camera lens attachment to show the majority of our dome for sky shows while our students are virtual!
We will not be denied our Astronomy! Take that, Covid! ✨ 🔭
11/30/2020
https://fb.watch/25eKAPs380/
Episode #152 of @ericmckennaofficial is live! We start on the spooky “Legend of Nibiru”, and then go all over the place. Check it out! 🛸 👽 @julie.winters7 @fredofdethofficial @fredkowalophotography
11/24/2020
Unfortunately Planetarium friends and patrons, we have some sad news to share about our Apollo 21 project, begun nearly two years ago.
The attached letter shares with you why the capsule is not currently displayed outside of the Neil Armstrong Planetarium- an arrival the public has been anticipating for some time. Our administration has been amazing, and is supportive of our efforts to share this with you.
Thank you for all of your kindness and support over the years. Many more adventures lay ahead!
11/18/2020
I like this. 🚀 🌙 🇺🇸 #Apollo12
11/16/2020
Planetarium community service worker Adrianna K. will be helping us out on Mondays and Fridays this year. She made an immediate splash organizing vintage Space Race newspapers patrons were generous enough to donate. Go Adrianna go! 💥 🚀 🇺🇸
11/15/2020
UFO Expo 2020: Be there! 🛸 👽
11/13/2020
Getting into the season! #HarvestTime #Thanksgiving #aahsastronomy
11/11/2020
🚀 🌙
11/09/2020
It’s good to be back! #Enya #SpitzSciDome #aahsastronomy
11/09/2020
Ooh. I like the direction AAHS is going in the newly-renovated Field House lobby. #MoreMars
11/08/2020
I commissioned local artist Samuel Dietze to paint the landscape surrounding the Mt. Lion Observatory, and he delivered! Sam rises above vision challenges to see the world with eyes unlike anyone I know.
His painting will be displayed in White Oak Hall for years to come! Thank you Sam. 🎨 ❤️
11/04/2020
Despite the weather, nearly 200 guests attended our “Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure” and Denny Ivory Memorial Trick-or-Treat Night on Friday! Many thanks to John Gardner for his professional pictures.
Thank you all for a wonderful Mt. Lion Observatory season, and we’ll see you sometime this spring! ✨ 🔭 🎃
10/31/2020
Neil Armstrong Planetarium
10/31/2020
Neil Armstrong Planetarium
10/31/2020
Our awesome volunteers overcame the weather to put on a great show for the public, as we Chose Our Own Halloween Adventure! #aahsastronomy
10/30/2020
The skies are clearing just in time! Join tonight for Denny Ivory Memorial Trick or Treat and Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure! Tickets are $5 and available at the door at Fort Roberdeau!
10/29/2020
If this couldn’t be more perfect, we will have Astronomers from the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute present for our “Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure” night this Friday at Fort Roberdeau!
It’s not too late to buy tickets at the Altoona Area Public Library- especially if Trick or Treat is a wash tonight. Blair Candy’s generous donation will make the 1st Annual Denny Ivory Memorial Trick-or-Treat Night fantastic! #aahsastronomy
10/29/2020
Looks like rainy weather for Trick-or-Treat night...
Bring your kids tomorrow night to Fort Roberdeau for the Denny Ivory Memorial Trick-or Treat Night! Followed by Choose Your Own Adventure stories - learn about UFOs, Bigfoot, or local folk legends; and night sky viewing. The weather looks to clear up tomorrow for some great conditions!
Tickets are still available at the Altoona Area Public Library for only $5!
10/29/2020
Neil Armstrong Planetarium's cover photo
10/24/2020
Event map for next Friday’s “Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure”, and Denny Ivory Memorial Trick-or-Treat Night, courtesy of the Fort’s Karen Morrow. Great job, Karen!
10/22/2020
Treat Yo’ Self week comes to a close!
#HoustonAstros #Apollo11 #EagleHasLanded #treatyoself
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1415 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA
16602
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Videos
It’s good to be back! #Enya #SpitzSciDome #aahsastronomy
This map = knows what’s up. 👽 🛸
Needless to say, the Perseid Party is now over. Thanks to everyone who attended, and keep in mind that the shower peak will continue into tomorrow!
AAHS Astronomy Club Award!
Great MLTV edit from Mr. Doug Sipes and his AAHS students, over the Pennsylvania "Excellence in Parks & Recreation" Award won by the Astronomy Club and Fort Roberdeau.
New UFO decoration...coming to a Planetarium near you!
Neil Armstrong Planetarium Moon Walk- James Lowe
Neil Armstrong was 5'11". James Lowe and I are 5'11". So obviously when we had a replica Armstrong Apollo 11 spacesuit created, you knew this was going to happen before it was placed in its display case for good. We both tried this moonwalk, but Jim was waaaay better at it than me, so his video survives!
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1200 9th Ave
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2000 Union Ave -
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3419 Oak Ln
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550 N Main St, Robertsdale
Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lows6sLswtU&feature=youtu.be This was interesting to watch.
We were just at the showing, and the gentleman who did the presentation suggest we speak to "Tom" about purchasing a telescope from one of his class members, that they no longer use. Can anyone point me to Tom? We didnt get to stand in line to see him.
My dad lives in Maine and took this pic. I figured I would share it here for you. He may not think it's a good pic, but I feel it's pretty good.
I was wondering if your boilerplate is on this list.
Even though the Moon was so bright, we tried to catch a glimpse of the Perseids Meteor Shower last night. The highlight was that we saw an amazing fireball that left a long bright trail in the sky. The trail remaind long enough in the sky to be able to point it out to others! It was somewhere between 1:20am and 1:45am Sunday night into Monday.
Did anyone else see it???
Thanks to all of you and your programs at the Planetarium and Observatiory our 11 year old and 5 year year old boys have shown great interest in the night sky!
Will there be any events to watch the Perseids meteor shower on it's peak nights of Aug 11-12 & 12-13?
(maybe better show 12-13)
Hello everyone I will be hosting a live Open House meet and greet to help Home Educators, Military members and Missionaries share ideas, teach, keep in touch, etc.
The live chat rooms/presentation rooms hold up to 500 participants. Please let me know if you would like to join.
My friend, Karen, wants to come to a sky show with her kids. When is the next one?
when is your next public sky show?
I loved going to the planetarium when I was a student.
Wanted to give a shout out to Mr. James Krug, the parties involved at Fort Roberdeau Historical Site, the AASD students, and the other friends, volunteers, and support personnel that help make the “Haunted Tours” possible!
The event was a blast, and was done quite professionally “scares, screams, and scenes” but (no physical contact)-professional!
Again thank you to everyone involved, you (pl.) should be proud of yourselves for putting on such a great event!
-Justin Cooney (2006 AASD Alumni)
Hello, am enquiring to know: Is Mr Neil Armstrong still alive?
Pls extend my well wishes to him