Star Light, Star Bright

Diana and Dan Butcher have always shown a keen interest in celestial events.

From meteor showers to comets and eclipses, the couple has made attempts to catch glimpses of astronomical happenings from outside their Pomona home and Big Bear cabin and at nearby desert campgrounds. They've even flown across country to Florida in hopes of viewing a shuttle launch.

With that feat yet to be achieved, the Butchers on Friday joined about two-dozen other astronomy enthusiasts for the grand re-opening of Mt. San Antonio College's Jim and Eleanor Randall Planetarium.

The dome-shaped planetarium was closed seven years ago for renovations and re-opened to the general public on Friday with its traditional, pre-recorded Season of Light program.  The show runs nearly 30 minutes.

"This is a wonderful show," said Diana Butcher, a Pomona High School librarian. "Dan had been a student here in the 60s and we came to the planetarium a few times prior to the renovations. We're so happy it is open again."

The Butchers would have to make another one of their treks out of the area to see something like the show at the college.

"I think this is the only nearby planetarium. The nearest place is probably the Griffith Observatory."

The planetarium, which opened in 1968, closed in June 2004 for $1 million in renovations. The project included replacing its 1960s-style interior, refurbishing the 35-foot dome, and replacing an antiquated projector with a $480,000 state-of-the-art Zeiss Skymaster projector and a multimedia Digistar sky projection system.

The new projector, coupled with the multimedia projection system, provides a more three-dimensional effect of the night sky, said Jeff Schroeder, a planetarium lecturer.

"We really wanted people to have a connection with the sky, especially people who live in the city and can't get a good glimpse because of all the lights,'' he said. "With our new projector we can produce a much more dynamic and accurate portrayal of the night sky."

Renovation efforts for the planetarium originally began in October 2003 through fund-raising by students, faculty and outside contributors, such as James (Jim) and Eleanor Randall, sci-fi author Ray Bradbury and actor George Takei, officials said. The renovation process did take longer than anticipated, Schroeder said. He said the planetarium ran into some "typical renovation situations,'' that had to be ironed out.

"It was stripped down to basically the concrete,'' Schroeder said after the show in response to a visitor's question about the renovations. "We really wanted to make Mt. Sac stand out among planetariums."

The pre-recorded Season of Light program, last shown in December 2003, explores the Christmas Star and the beginnings of the holiday traditions, including decorating, feasting, and the exchanging of gifts.

Noah Adams, who also voices programs for the Griffith Observatory, narrated it. At the conclusion of the program, Schroeder kept the audience gazing up at the dome by taking them through a journey of the night sky where he identified various stars and astrological figures. He also took a few questions, including a few from children.

One child asked for an explanation of a "light year,'' while an adult asked about the projector. Schroeder said the planetarium's old projector, which was recycled, has found a new home at a facility in Oregon.

Schroeder said the planetarium isn't just for Mt. Sac students. Local groups, such as the Boys' and Girls' scouts' troops, and schools throughout Southern California use the planetarium for special programs.

The Season of Light program will be held at the planetarium at 7 and 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 18. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for seniors, students, and children under 12.

The planetarium is located in Building 26C near the Temple and Bonita campus entrance.