Education

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) is the lead partner, for the “400 Years of the Telescope” Public Education and Outreach Program. The ASP is a recognized leader in the field of astronomy education, and with a strong network of professional and amateur astronomers will utilize their existing program, the Night Sky Network, and their ties with the Astronomical League to reach out to the public.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)

The program will encourage public television broadcast viewers to engage in personalized telescopic experiences via their local science centers. The public will be invited to participate with interactive Internet components from their PCs; view the companion full dome planetarium show, “Two Small Pieces of Glass”, and attend interconnected events and activities at local planetariums and science centers; and receive mentorship through a network of amateur and professional astronomers. Through the Night Sky Network, amateur astronomers will be on site at planetariums across the nation, providing personalized telescopic and naked eye observation opportunities, delving into the fascinating technology of the telescope and coordinating star parties. The virtual experience of the TV broadcast and the planetarium show will be made real for viewers when they take the leap to viewing the universe through a telescope.

Pre-broadcast opportunities for the public include an invitation to journey with the production team, site by site, for a virtual “making-of the 400 Years of the Telescope” experience. Through the “400 Years of the Telescope” production log the public can virtually visit the globe's primary observatories, and view field reports from the crew, with the opportunity to interact through online blogs.

An air of excitement and anticipation for the “400 Years of the Telescope” will be fostered through a series of pre-broadcast public invitations to join the International Year of Astronomy global celebration.