The Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its dedication in a big way. The planetarium is having a Prismatic Magic full-dome laser projection system temporarily installed for “LaserFest”; a four-day festival at the planetarium where there will be educational and musical laser shows presented.
James Albury, coordinator of the planetarium stated:
“Usually only the big planetariums like the ones in Chicago, Miami or New York have laser shows, but with the advances in laser technology, more moderate-sized planetariums like ours can now experience the same amazing imagery. This is one of the most advanced laser projection systems available for planetariums. We’ll have brilliant, full-color, flicker-free laser imagery using the primary projector and a secondary projector will produce hundreds of dazzling diffraction laser effects over the entire surface of the dome. Last summer, when I saw this system demonstrated at our regional planetarium conference, I really wanted our community to experience the advances in laser image technology, and when better than during our 10th anniversary. If this event is popular, we may consider investing in a permanent system.”
LaserFest will be held on Thursday, September 29 thru Sunday, October 2, 2016 and will feature educational programs such as “Lasers in Space” and “Laser Safari” as well as the traditional music laser shows “Laser Beatles“, “Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon” and “Laser Led Zeppelin” just to name a few.
A free sneak peek of the laser system will be held for Santa Fe College students, faculty and staff on Thursday afternoon, September 29 at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Several groups who have reserved the planetarium while the laser system is installed will get to see laser shows as part of their visit.
Ticket prices are $7.00 per person for the matinee showings, before 8 p.m., and $10.00 per person for the evening showings, 8 p.m. onward. Albury also stated, “Since this is the first time we’ve had a laser system in our planetarium, we’re expecting the event to be very popular, so we’re encouraging guests to purchase their tickets online in advance. If a show sells out early, we’ll add another one later on in the evening, if possible. We really want as many people as possible to experience this special event”.
To purchase tickets, visit the planetarium’s website http://www.sfcollege.edu/planetarium.
For more information about the planetarium and the “LaserFest” celebration, contact James C. Albury, planetarium coordinator at 352-395-5381 or james.albury@sfcollege.edu.