MAPS CONFERENCE 2008

at the

SUITS-BUECHE PLANETARIUM

at the Schenectady Museum

Dear Colleagues:

The Schenectady Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium in Schenectady, New York invites you to the 2008 Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society conference. The conference will take place May 14th through 17th.

The Schenectady Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium is located in the Capital District of New York State, just 20 minutes from Albany. Schenectady, New York, is known as the "City that Lights and Hauls the World". It is the home of General Electric and the American Locomotive Company, the first Commercial Radio Station, the first television broadcast, Union College, (which contains the second largest observatory in New York), and Ralph Alpher (one of the "discoverers" of the Big Bang), Dudley Observatory, (the oldest independent organization in the country supporting research and education in astronomy and the history of astronomy). Schenectady is also the place where Silly Putty and Drinking Birds were invented, as well as the invention of satellite communications for NASA, and Lumilines!

The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum contains a 30 foot diameter dome and a new GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star machine installed in October of 2006. An East Coast Control Systems automation system was installed in 2003 as part of an extensive renovation project which included 21 new Kodak slide projectors, two new video projectors, automation of all of the existing projectors, a new sound system, new cove lighting, and two 42 inch plasma screens above the planetarium entrance. The planetarium can now project all forms of media up on the dome, including live NASA TV, which can also be shown on the plasma's. The Planetarium seats 60 people.

The Schenectady Museum is a museum about science and technology, and the development of technology. This past year, over 41,000 people visited the museum.

Our Conference Hotel is the Holiday Inn of Schenectady, which is literally, across the street from the Museum. 

Reservations are the responsibility of the members, and reservations must be made by April 14th as after that date, the rooms will be offered to the public.

We are lining up some interesting guest speakers and events, and hope that you will join us for a few days of fun and camaraderie in our facility.

Conference costs and information about the Holiday Inn room rates can be found by clicking on this link: Conference Costs.

All registration materials are now on the MAPS web site for downloading. Go to: http://www.maps-planetarium.org/

Hoping to see you in May.

Your Conference Hosts.

Steven LJ Russo, Planetarium Manager   518-382-7890 X 253   russo@schenectadymuseum.org

Megan EN Dominguez, Assistant Planetarium Manager   518-382-7890 X 227   dominguez@schenectadymuseum.org

For more information about the SUITS-BUECHE PLANETARIUM, go to:

http://www.look-to-the-skies.com/suits.htm

For more information about the Schenectady Museum, go to:

http://www.schenectadymuseum.org/index.htm

Watch this space for more information!