Planetarium, professor celebrate astronomy

The Austin Planetarium, which is still in development, has helped to cosponsor ACC Professor Dr. Jim Heath's lecture series celebrating the International Year of Astronomy.  Professor Heath was among the dozen or so people who first entertained the idea of building a planetarium in Austin.

Heath, professor of Astronomy and Physics, hosted a lecture entitled "On the Shoulders of Giants, Part III: Galileo and Kepler in 1609" on Nov. 13. ACC students, along with the public, were invited to Cypress Creek campus for the third lecture in a series meant to educate people on astronomy. The lecture was followed by a star party lead by Torvald Hessel. Hessel is the executive director of the Austin Planetarium.

The International Year of Astronomy, according to Professor Heath, is "the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei being the first person to use the telescope for organized observations".

"It is also the 400th anniversary of Johannes Kepler publishing his book Astronomia Nova," said Heath. Kepler's book provided evidence that the Earth goes around the Sun.

The United Nations in conjunction with the International Astronomical Union have worked together to declare 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy. These two organizations have held events all over the world promoting astronomy.

One more lecture is scheduled for this year on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Cypress Creek Campus in Cedar Park, Room 1102.

The goal of the International Year of Astronomy is, said Heath, "to make people aware of the history of astronomy and to get people looking up at the stars."