October 25. 2005

For immediate release

Contact: Kathy Quandt, Director of Operations, Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

            (518) 434-1217 x213;  kquandt@albany.org

Henry Hudson Planetarium Receives Grant from Dudley Observatory

for 6^th Grade Egyptian Astronomy Program

(October 25, 2005  Albany, NY) The Henry Hudson Planetarium, located at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center in Albany, New York, recently received a $1,950.00 grant from the Charles Bean Memorial Fund of the Dudley Observatory.  The grant provides opportunities for all Albany City School District 6^th grade students and teachers to experience “Egyptian Astronomy, Ancient Horizons Alive Again!” an interactive presentation at the Henry Hudson Planetarium in 2006.

This new educational program combines an interactive, live presentation incorporating the stars and planets under the dome of the Henry Hudson Planetarium with of the flat screen movie version of “Stars of the Pharaohs.”  Students journey back in time to discover how Egyptians used the ancient horizons to tell time, make a workable calendar, create early zodiacs and align the tombs and temples of their leaders. Three dimensional images of the stars and planets on the planetarium dome captivate students.  This 75 minute program is presented by the Henry Hudson Planetarium’s education staff and reinforces 6^th grade New York State standards for science and social studies.

Group and public showings of “Egyptian Astronomy: Ancient Horizons Alive Again!” complement a special upcoming exhibit at Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA).  The only northeast presentation of “Excavating Egypt-Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology” will be on display at AIHA from January 24- June 4, 2006.  The planetarium program coincides with the exhibit dates.  To schedule a group showing, contact Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center at (518) 434-0405.  For public programs, visit the events calendar on www.albany.org.

The Dudley Observatory was chartered by the State of New York in 1852 in the Arbor Hill section of Albany. It is the oldest independent organization in the country supporting research and education in astronomy and the history of astronomy. Funding of this new education program provides students who live near the site of the original Dudley observatory an opportunity to learn about the stars, planets, ancient cultures and resources available to explore the night sky.  Their office is currently located at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 201, Schenectady, New York 12308.  (518-382-7583 / info@dudleyobservatory.org / www.dudleyobservatory.org )

The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center and Henry Hudson Planetarium introduce the public to Albany’s history and culture by developing educational programs that encourage exploration of the cultural resources within the Heritage Area and the Capital Region.  They are located at 25 Quackenbush Square, (corner of Broadway and Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207.  The Visitors Center is open Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm; Sat & Sun 10:00am-4:00pm.  The Henry Hudson Planetarium is open during special events and programs.  Free parking is available off Broadway via Spencer St.  For information, call (518) 434-0405 and visit www.albany.org.  Participating Sponsors: KeyBank, Picotte Companies and The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.

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Dudley Observatory
107 Nott Terrace, Suite 201
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 382-7583
info@dudleyobservatory.org