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About the Exhibit
Showing March 4 - May 1

The Springdale Public Library is pleased to announce the opening of an exciting exhibit, "Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery" on March 4, 2012. The Library is one of 55 U.S. libraries selected to host the traveling exhibit, which celebrates Galileo’s invention of the telescope in 1609 and tells the story of how astronomy has evolved over the four hundred years since then.

"Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery" uses historical drawings and diagrams made by Galileo and other early astronomers, along with dramatic contemporary images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and other space missions, to show how our views and understanding of the universe and the objects within it have changed over the centuries. The exhibit covers a wide range of topics related to the scientific exploration of the universe, from storms on the sun to features on the surfaces of Mars and the Moon, the nature of comets, star birth, and distant galaxies. The colorful exhibit panels feature striking images of planets, stars, comets, nebulae, and galaxies taken by NASA’s powerful astronomical observatories and spacecraft, as well as drawings and diagrams created by early astronomers such as Galileo, Christiaan Huygens, and Charles Messier, which show how the universe, stars, and planets were viewed and understood centuries ago.

"Visions of the Universe" is presented by the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and the American Library Association, Chicago, through funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Anne Gresham, Exhibit Coordinator, 479-750-8180 or by email at agresham@springdalelibrary.org.

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Opening Reception: A Visit with Galileo Galilei

Library Gallery
2:00-4:00p.m., March 4, 2012

To celebrate the opening of the Visions of the Universe traveling exhibit, come meet Galileo Galilei himself to hear about the tumultuous times of the Scientific Revolution, and about the man who challenged accepted scientific beliefs and fundamentally altered our understanding of our place in the cosmos.

Galileo will be portrayed by returning Chautauqua performer Fred Krebs. Mr. Krebs has been an instructor in social sciences and humanities for 42 years at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, and has been an active Chautauqua speaker with over 15 different historical characterizations performed in 23 states. In 1997, he received the Kansas Humanities Council's first Chair’s Human(i)ties Award for "making connections between ideas and the people of Kansas for over 25 years."

Following the performance, the public is invited for refreshments and tours of the Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery traveling exhibit.

Introduction to Telescopes: Discovering the Night Sky

Shiloh Room
2:00-3:00p.m., March 10, 2012

Kim Zoldak will present an introduction to telescopes, including their history and use. Come learn about the different kinds of telescopes, sky maps and coordinates, and free online tools for beginning astronomy hobbyists.

Kim Zoldak is a PhD student in the Space and Planetary Science program working on research in Astrophysics. She is also a NASA Space Science Student Ambassador and holds outreach events and star parties across NW Arkansas. She teaches undergraduate Astronomy Labs at the U of A.

Life After the Space Shuttle: The Future of the American Manned Spaceflight Program

Shiloh Room
2:00-3:00p.m., April 7, 2012

What's next for American manned spaceflight? Will Bryan will deliver a public presentation about the future of manned space exploration and answer questions from the public.

Will Bryan is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas' Center for Space and Planetary Sciences and a passionate advocate for space exploration. He grew up with NASA and continues to proudly believe in and work for a deeper understanding of the universe.

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International Year of Astronomy

Information about NASA's multiyear celebration of astronomy.

Amazing Space

An educational site featuring images from the Hubble Space Telescope and materials for students and teachers.

Hubble Site

Outreach site of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network

Explore the cosmos from your computer! This site allows you to control a real telescope, bringing an observatory into your living room.

World Wide Telescope

A virtual telescope simulation (requires downloading software).

Stellarium

Free planetarium software (requires download).

Astronomy

Official Astronomy magazine website, with star charts, telescopes, and more.

Astronomy for Kids

A fun, educational, interactive site for young astronomers.

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On DVD

Galileo's Battle for the Heavens	The Universe	The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide

Nonfiction

Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing 'Hoax', by Philip C. Plait	Celestial Delights: the Best Astronomical Events Through 2010, by Francis Reddy	40 Nights to Knowing the Sky: A Night-by-Night Skywatching Primer, by Fred Schaaf

Just for Fun

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams	The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert A. Heinlein	Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

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