The transit of Venus was a recurring topic at the 2003 Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA).  Chuck Bueter and Art Klinger showed excerpts from the Transit of Venus program in the Shafran Planetarium. Gene Zajac and Bueter hosted a Transit of Venus (TV) Screen workshop to make rear-projection viewing devices for telescopes.  David Hurd revealed the hidden value of a familiar model to illustrate the periodicity of inferior conjunctions with his Trippensee planetarium demonstration.  Don Tuttle crafted Transit Time, his latest scientifically-accurate quilt that commemorates the transit of Venus both in function and form.  And GLPA members enjoyed viewing large sunspot groups with a Sunspotter from Learning Technologies Inc. and with Solar Shades from Rainbow Symphony.

In many discussions we addressed plans for the 2004 transit of Venus, including an exchange of artwork specifically solicited to commemorate this event.  Another outcome of those discussions was that we learned John Philip Sousa's Transit of Venus March band arrangement is available for $25.00 (plus UPS shipping) through The Detroit Concert Band, Inc. at (480) 948-9870.  You may order a reprint of each published part on 8.5 x 11-inch pages and reproduce as many copies for your own use as necessary.

We welcome more images of transit-related pictures from the astronomy enthusiasts at the GLPA 2003 Annual Conference.

Transit of Venus Program

Chuck Bueter gave a description of the Transit of Venus program prior to his and Art Klinger's showing videotape excerpts from the forthcoming Transit of Venus.  The program debuted October 23, 2003 at the Shafran Planetarium in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History during the 2003 Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA).  It will be shipped to all GLPA members in November 2003.

Trippensee Planetarium Demonstration

David Hurd points out Edmond Halley sighting (below).

Edmond Halley predicts a forthcoming transit with the aid of a Trippensee planetarium; images courtesy of David Hurd.

David Hurd reveals that Venus orbits 13 times to earth's 8 orbits.  His demonstration with a Trippensee planetarium illustrates why 8 years pass between consecutive inferior conjunctions of earth and the inner planetarium model, shown to be planet Venus.

Transit of Venus (TV) Screen Workshop

Chuck Bueter (left) and astrobusnaut Gene Zajac presented a workshop on constructing rear- projecting Transit of Venus (TV) Screens.

Gene Zajac and Chuck Bueter distributed a handout related to a make-it-and-take-it workshop during the 2003 Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA).

Preparing for the make-it-and-take-it workshop, Zajac and Bueter evaluate inexpensive materials for the solar-viewing device.  The toilet plunger was only a limited success.

Outdoor trials (far left) help to refine the final products, which feature an oil funnel and a plastic bucket.

DonTuttle's Transit Time Quilt Debuts

Don Tuttle created Transit Time, a functional quilt that commemorates the 2004 transit of Venus.  Don generously sent it to be exhibited even though he himself was unable to attend the 2003 GLPA conference.  Individuals and institutions may borrow Don's handiwork to dovetail with transit of Venus programming.  Contact Chuck Bueter for availability and to schedule its use and display.  (Image on right courtesy of Marc Rouleau.)

Viewing Sunspot Groups

A Sunspotter (courtesy of Learning Technologies Inc.) and Solar Shades (courtesy of Rainbow Symphony) allowed all GLPA members to watch safely the giant sunspot groups that emerged during the conference; image courtesy of LTI.

Susan Button observes large sunspots through a hydrogen alpha-filtered telescope.

Two large sunspot groups glide across the face of the sun during the 2003 GLPA Annual Conference.