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Thronateeska Heritage Center

Thronateeska Heritage Center encompasses the Science Discovery Center, Wetherbee Planetarium with hi-def projection system, and History Museum. Here, students can forecast the weather, get an eyeful of the universe and see a model train exhibit in the context of GPS-aligned programming.

The Wetherbee Planterarium is the first of it’s kind in the world! The Spitz 'SciDome' high-definition projection system, the forty foot diameter dome, and the digital 5.1 surround sound is the first of its kind in the world. State-of-the-art, high definition images and surround sound immerse you in the wonders of space.

Displaying three million pixels, over three times the resolution of a standard projection system,Thronateeska Heritage Center takes you on an exploration of the Universe in a way that will leave you amazed! Four regular programs; Two Small Pieces of Glass, Black Holes, Molecularium, and Oasis in Space offer something for everyone.

Teacher guides are available for Wetherbee Planetarium programs. Sample programs include:

Molecularium:Riding Snowflakes
The Molecularium™ is a state-of-the-art computer generated animation for digital dome theaters that makes molecular science fun. The creators have integrated advanced scientific simulations into a groundbreaking immersive cartoon with kid-friendly characters to introduce young people to the world of atoms and molecules.
The project has brought together a team of researchers, artists, museum curators and educators, technology designers, musicians, performers, elementary school teachers, students, and professors to create a truly unique experience.

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
Narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen. Audiences will be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. The program is accompanied by an extensive Educator's Guide.

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