NASA honors Ott Planetarium for use of Hubble images

OGDEN -- The heavens will seem a whole lot closer at the Ott Planetarium these days. Even NASA is giving the planetarium a gold star.

The planetarium, on the Weber State University campus, created a 23-minute program called "Expanded View," which features images from the Hubble, Spitzer and Chandra space telescopes.

"Expanded View" just won a Gold Star in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Top Stars program, which recognizes programs incorporating Hubble images with education. Ten Gold Stars were awarded nationwide.

"It's a show I've always wanted to do. It's been in the back of my imagination since 2004, really, and I finally had the skills and the time to make it this last year," said AmyJo Proctor, "Expanded View" creator and planetarium assistant director.

Proctor said the show, which she wrote, narrated and produced, tells viewers about the images from the telescopes, how they relate to each other and what people are learning from them.

The planetarium also created a 3D-like effect by projecting it on the domed ceiling of the planetarium. She said the people who have seen the program said it feels like they're flying through the objects.

By using the dome and the way the camera flies past objects, they were able to make people feel as though the 2D images were right in front of them, she said.

The show was submitted to Top Stars along with lesson plans that include a teacher handbook and student project book.

Proctor said the whole program from script to finished product took only four months, but it was four months of hard work.

"I was just really excited (about the award). This is kind of our first award for any show we've done. It's so nice to get recognized for the work we're doing," she said.

Proctor said they won't stop with "Expanded View." The planetarium staff is already working on a program about insects, and their space programs are always being updated as new information comes along.

"We want everyone to feel like science is for them and they can be a part of it. Because they are, whether or not they realize it," she said.

The planetarium recently received funding to help continue creation of new programs. Betty Ott, widow of Layton P. Ott for whom the facility is named, pledged $1 million to the planetarium over the course of 10 years.

For more information about "Expanded View" or to watch it online, visit community.weber.edu/planetarium/xv or call the planetarium at 801-626-6871. For more information about Top Stars, visit topstars.strategies.org.