6B — Thursday, September 19, 2019
b-side
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
PLUS MORE EVENTS THROUGHOUT OCTOBER, INCLUDING:
Plus remarks by President Mark S. Schlissel and senior leaders
10–11:30 AM | HILL AUDITORIUM
2019
DIVERSITY,
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
SUMMIT
VAN JONES
OCTOBER 1 — 6–8 PM | TROTTER MULTICULTURAL CENTER
Ignite & Implement: Student Engagement with DEI Initiatives
OCTOBER 16 — 1–2:30 PM | MICHIGAN LEAGUE BALLROOM
Community Conversation: DEI Progress Update
OCTOBER 21 — 12–2 PM | RACKHAM AUDITORIUM
“An Ingenious Way to Live”: Fostering Disability Culture in
Higher Education
OCTOBER 22 — 5–6:30 PM | PALMER COMMONS, FORUM HALL
DEI and Faith in Secular Spaces: Respecting Religious Identity
OCTOBER 23 — 12–2 PM | MICHIGAN LEAGUE BALLROOM
From #MeToo to #NowWhat: Cultivating Safe, Harassment-Free
Learning and Working Environments
OCTOBER 24 — 8:30 AM–5 PM | MICHIGAN LEAGUE BALLROOM
Young, Gifted, @Risk and Resilient: Promoting Mental Health
and Well-Being Among Students of Color
OCTOBER 7
Community Assembly & Discussion featuring CNN’s
OUR
MICHIGAN
VOICES
MANY
diversity.umich.edu/summit-events #UMichDEI @UMichDiversity
“Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science
or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That’s our new
frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about
space.”
— Christa McAuliffe, Teacher and Challenger Astronaut
Jul. 20, 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11
moon landing, recalling not only the Cold War space race of an
era gone by, but also generating nostalgia for one of humankind’s
greatest achievements — our first steps on the moon. Yet, while
the glory days of the Apollo missions are long gone, excitement
for what many believe is a new golden age of exploration and
discovery is happening right now.
From new missions to return to the moon to possibly
establishing human colonies on Mars, space exploration has
returned in force, with big ambition. But it’s not only future
astronauts who are leading the charge into this new age of
discovery. Some of the most anticipated discoveries are being
generated via observatories, whether space-based ones like the
Hubble Telescope, or giant ground-based traditional ones.
And while most of us won’t be on a rocket anytime soon, the
stars are definitely within reach right here in Michigan.
Three ways to kick off your “star trek” here on campus range
from the historic Detroit Observatory in the Bentley Historical
Library, to the planetarium at the University of Michigan
Museum of Natural History, to telescopes wielded by the students
and residents of Ann Arbor at the Student Astronomical Society.
Getting Starstruck
Excitement and passion for the sciences is tangible here on
campus. More than a simple passion for education, or enthusiasm
for the geekier side of all things space (live long and prosper),
there has been a growing sense of animation among the
community for the sciences.
“Huge numbers of students are coming to the planetarium
shows,” says Lori Ann Dick, manager of marketing and
communications at the Museum of Natural History. “Weekend
mornings are swarming. It’s a real community.”
The
museum,
which
has
been
undergoing
extensive
renovations this past year, has hit the ground running in its
multi-staged re-openings. The Planetarium and Dome Theater
exhibit and interactive experience has proven to be an exciting,
highly anticipated part of the museum’s ongoing work to update
their facilities and improve the overall visitor experience to the
museum.
Adds Gary D. Krenz, who works with the Detroit Observatory:
“I hear people excited about rejuvenating the pushing of
boundaries. We are in a new phase of excitement, about
exploring space. There’s been more public attention than I
would have predicted.” And at the core of this excitement, Dr.
Krenz observes, “Science has always been a combination of pure
curiosity driven to push the bounds of knowledge.” Where better
to find a kindred spirit to this curiosity than on a university
campus?
The reason for the excitement is threefold. First, both the
museum and the observatory have a deep, rich history on campus.
Planetarium manager Matt Linke explains, “The roots of the
museum go back to the beginning of the University.” Linke jokes,
“the original (museum) being a cabinet of curiosities almost 200
years ago!” As for where these masses are coming from, Linke
says “Generations have attended the museum — we already had
the (audience) base, a kinship with those who came before.”
While certainly the wonders of the museum draw visitors
far and wide, it is undeniable that the museum also holds a
special place in many Wolverine, and local Ann Arborite, hearts.
Revisiting old memories and making new ones — all while
engaging our child-like wonder and curiosity — is in us all.
Dr. Krenz echoes this, emphasizing how the University has
always held a track record for research and pushing the bounds
of knowledge — a reputation that started with the foundation
of the Detroit Observatory in 1854. While the observatory itself
is no longer an “active” research observatory, it remains an
“exciting hub for students.”
Second, the emphasis on accessibility has been vital for
drawing in both veteran science fans, and those eager to learn.
The museum’s renovated planetarium features wheelchair
friendly ramps and seating, along with chairs that have removable
arms, allowing for those with limited mobility to rise and seat
themselves with ease.
But things don’t stop there — Linke highlights a new program
for deaf children which was piloted at the planetarium,
utilizing new technology to connect the exhibit’s accompanying
soundtrack to the children’s auditory systems (such as implants).
This enabled the visiting kids to experience the exhibit like any
other child or adult might, providing a “normalized” experience
for anyone and everyone. It’s an impressive level of inclusion for
children with disabilities, showcasing both the museum and the
University’s dedication to accessibility.
The observatory, too, has prioritized accessibility in the
construction of the new annex — an additional entrance to the
observatory, which will feature not only wheelchair entrances,
but classrooms, event spaces
and exhibits.
From their headquarters
in West Hall, the Student
Astronomical
Society
tackles
accessibility
on
the front lines of campus,
working
to
inform,
educate and showcase the
wonders of astronomy to
the
campus
community.
As SAS outreach co-chair
Josiah Sherk outlines, “SAS
hopes to focus on outreach,
improving our open houses,
as
well
as
focusing
on
external
outreach
within
the community.”
These open houses often
include a variety of activities
structured to engage and
inform students from any
discipline or major about
astronomy.
From
physics
demonstrations and models,
to
tutoring
University
students
in
astronomy,
and
even
hosting
open
stargazing sessions utilizing
the observing facilities at
Angell Hall, SAS offers a
variety of resources and
tools to all its members,
students and locals.
Sherk further explains,
“We are dedicated to taking
people
with
a
passing
interest in astronomy, or
dedicated to astronomy as a
career path, (and) bringing
them together and providing
them
with
opportunities
to
give
back
to
their
community.”
Third, there is a key
balance
being
struck
between
nostalgia
for
what’s old and a passion for
embracing what’s new.
As Matt Linke observes,
“The
Natural
History
Museum has been a presence
on campus for the past 42
years, and the museum has
moved four times … We were
in the Ruthven building for
90 years –– a place that was
near and dear to heart.”
The team at the museum
has welcomed the move to
the new Biological Sciences
Building
with
optimism
and excitement. But while
the modern design of the
museum’s new home is awe-
inspiring, and renovations
have
brought
more
technologically
advanced
mechanics to the museum’s
exhibits and organization, not everything in the newly reopened
U-M museum is brand new. According to Dick, dozens of relics
and exhibits from the old museum have been saved and brought
to the new museum site.
“You’re walking around all this new stuff, and then you see
something and go, ‘Oh, that’s familiar!’” Linke jokes.
Back at the Detroit Observatory, a similar approach is
underway. According to Dr. Kenz, new renovations don’t include
any direct change or update to the original historic building.
Rather, the construction hopes to add to the pre-existing space,
in lieu of replacing it.
The positive buzz around campus may be an indicator of a larger
excitement brewing around the globe. Not everyone may share
the cherished memories the Wolverines hold dear here in Ann
Arbor, but this mix of nostalgia, accessibility and advancement
can be seen on the national (and even international) level.
Don’t Fix What Ain’t Broke
While the planetarium shows make for an excellent foray into
the stars, SAS offers a more direct, hands-on way to continue
your “star trek” through campus: telescopes.
Both the observatory and SAS offer regular stargazing
sessions and related activities throughout the year. But with the
observatory currently under renovation, it’s the perfect time for
SAS to shine.
Aside from hosting most SAS events, Angell Hall also houses
the Astronomy Department, along with its own observatory and
viewing platform for students and faculty across campus.
New technology is undeniably helping to reinvent the field of
astronomy, and the greater natural sciences, too. New smartphone
apps — like SkyView, Star Chart and Star Rover to name a few
— allow the everyday user to engage and interact with the stars
on a new personal, more direct level. Many of these apps utilize
augmented reality to enhance virtual stargazing. Users can use
these apps to locate and view constellations, track objects in the
sky and learn about our solar system. As cool as telescopes can be
(they certainly recall a sense of vintage nostalgia), are apps the
new everyman’s telescope? SAS’s Sherk says no.
Sherk says, “Technology is developing as a tool, and it’s always
been a tool — it just helps us do things more efficiently. The fact
of the matter is that something the size of a smartphone will
never be able to do what a telescope can do.”
While the capabilities of smartphones are seemingly
immeasurable, it seems that no matter how advanced the
classic iPhone or Samsung can get, their small size prevents the
telescope from becoming obsolete. Sherk elaborates, “Larger
telescopes will have a clearer image, and they’ll be able to see
more. The reason we need to use a larger telescope is because it
has a bunch of mirrors in it in order to capture as much light as
possible to create a clearer image of what we’re trying to look at.”
But, while telescopes continue to reign supreme, smartphones
can still be a versatile tool for astronomical observation. Sherk
explains, “Lots of people like to take amateur astronomy
photography; They’ll try to take pictures through their
telescopes, and some people even like to use their smartphones
(for this) ... Using smartphones for photography, or even helping
your telescope to locate certain objects in the sky, that (becomes)
a great tool.”
For many, “science” often holds the connotation of new,
cutting-edge and modern. Yet, when it comes to astronomy,
it seems the old-fashioned methods can’t be beat. Sometimes,
“new” doesn’t translate to “better.” As the saying goes, “Don’t
fix what ain’t broke.”
For the amateur astronomers — or those eager to become
one — both SAS’s open houses and telescope viewing sessions,
along with buzz-worthy apps, are great ways to continue your
exploration through the stars right here at “home.”
To Infinity, and Beyond: A look to the future
Campus has its head in the stars and so, it seems, does the rest
of the world. Beyond the bounds of Ann Arbor, things are kicking
into gear to usher into a new age of scientific discovery and space
exploration.
With advancing technology allowing for the realization of
what were once impossible dreams, humanity’s gaze once again
returns to the moon. To some, a moon landing may seem to be an
old hat-trick — after all, it’s been done a few times already, hasn’t
it? But while a dozen moon landings, 24 lunar orbits and roughly
550 men and women launched into space may seem impressive,
in actuality these numbers do not suggest an ease, or mastery of
space travel. Rather, there is much more work to do.
The new Apollo 11? A lunar base on the moon by 2030. A goal
emphasized by growing interest from private sector companies
to engineer commercial flights to space, from the likes of Virgin
Galactic and SpaceX. On a smaller, more immediate scale, 2024
has become the rallying point for humankind’s return to the
moon — the “baby-steps” before the Star Wars-esque Lunar
Base. Meanwhile, China and India have made space travel a new
priority, suggesting that a modern-day space race is brewing –– a
race potentially driven not only by politics, but by private-sector
investment and innovation.
It is certainly an age of wonder that we have come upon. And
for those who aren’t yet sold –– those who don’t feel the tell-tale
itch of curiosity to get up, go out and learn about science! –– here
are a few passing words to change your mind.
To anyone who has yet to take a jaunt to the museum, Linke
offers, “Who doesn’t want to see a dinosaur?” (The museum
has some very cool dinosaurs). Dick adds, “We’re open late on
Thursdays, and it’s perfect for a date!”
For the people who have deluded themselves into thinking
telescopes aren’t the coolest thing about campus, Dr. Krenz
enthuses, “There’s nothing quite like looking through a telescope.
Seeing the rings of Saturn very clearly, for instance, or the moons
of Jupiter — (The observatory) is still a place where people can
(become) inspired; a place where people can touch the universe
beyond the atmosphere.”
So, consider taking a “star trek” here on campus. Experiencing
the universe from behind an IMAX movie screen is all well and
good — but the real thing, now that’s something worth seeing
(and it’s free!). After all, it’s the final frontier.
ALEC COHEN / DAILY
A star trek down
the streets of AA
MADELEINE VIRGINIA GANNON
Daily Arts Writer
B-SIDE: LEAD