The day’s activities include the large-format feature film “Solar Max,” shown each hour in the Star Theater. There will also be hands-on interactive displays, exhibits and free “Sunburst” ice cream from Tahoe Creamery, created especially for the event. The planetarium gift shop is offering a 10 percent discount. The ASUN bookstore is offering a 20 percent discount on clothing, gifts and general books and there will be food and drink specials in the student union as well.
The event celebrates the planetarium’s new wind turbine and solar panel installation, built by Black Rock Solar and made possible by a grant from the NV Energy Foundation. The planetarium, listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was designed with a passive solar thermal system 45 years ago by Reno architect Ray Hellman. The new installation includes a real-time power generation display in the planetarium lobby.
For every person who visits the planetarium on Thursday, NV Energy will donate $6 to the GreenPower environmental education program, a joint venture between the Desert Research Institute and NV Energy. GreenPower works with K-12 educators to promote renewable energy education and teach students conscious living practices. Small solar arrays and wind turbines have been installed at GreenPower schools to aid in this educational effort. There are currently 35 GreenPower schools in Nevada.
For more information, contact Dan Ruby, associate director of the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, at 784-4812 or visit www.planetarium.unr.edu.
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