The Planetarium In Modern Science Education

Planetariums have been given increasing use during the last decade as special- purpose classrooms in schools, colleges, museums, and science centers. A four- fold numerical growth, widespread geographical distribution, high attendance, assorted equipment, and the formation of planetarium societies and publications, all suggest that planetarium education is developing as a unique profession. Al- though oriented to the study of astronomy, the operation of a school or college planetarium is often interdisciplinary in character, as the director must work at all academic levels and in such other areas as geography, literature and mythology, and speech, to name only a few. The planetarium is frequently the school’s multi- media learning center. Its use is often impaired, however, by the lack of training for personnel and by the difficulty they find in achieving communication with professional astronomers for needed technical guidance and current information. Numerous university-level programs are suggested in this paper, including advanced-degree programs for planetarium educators, and various means are described to improve communication between the planetarium and professional astronomical communities