One of the country's leading and most engaging experts on astronomy, Professor Carlos Frenk, Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics at Durham University is to officially launch the Life Science Centre's £1.5 million state-of-the-art planetarium theatre tomorrow night (6th October 09 - 6pm).
The planetarium, the largest in the region, is a theatre style dome incorporating an overhead suspended 10 metre wide circular-shaped screen with 65 individual reclining seats.
The launch will see Professor Frenk, deliver a 40-minute lecture, entitled:
'The Great Cosmic Gamble: Making Galaxies from Nothing'
followed by a showing of his film Cosmic Origins, a 20-minute 3D movie, which takes the audience on a whistle-stop tour of our galaxy, the Milky Way, before explaining how cosmologists think the galaxy was built.
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive at the International Centre for LIfe is keen to stress the planetarium's versatility and sophistication. She says "This is going to be a major attraction for the Centre and for the North East; As well as being able to offer the traditional planetarium show the Life planetarium can offer both a 2D and 3D submersive cinematic experience which will enhance our programme of themed events for the foreseeable future.
Professor Frenk is one of the top cosmologists in the country and we are delighted that someone of his stature is to officially 'cut the ribbon'. We regard his involvement as a tremendous accolade for the centre both in astronomical and regional attraction terms."
Ian Simmons , Life's Science Communications Director adds: "We are coming up to our tenth anniversary so by adding exciting elements such as the planetarium, we will ensure the Centre remains an exciting venue that people want to visit".
The Life Science Centre provides an exciting programme of science-themed events, exhibitions and activities aimed at communicating contemporary science issues to a broad audience in an educational and entertaining way. The centre is making a major contribution to the public understanding of science and to raising young people's interest in science education. The official launch event will take place on 6th October at 6pm.