Been there, done that many times - so why bother to go again? This was my thought when the new reconstituted Planetarium in New York City was about to open. For many years, my family and I lived across the street from the American Museum of Natural History, the home of the Hayden Planetarium. Many visits, courses, special events - all were part of my close association with both institutions. So now came a huge glass box with a huge round ball inside it - an interesting architectural concept - but what could the Rose Center For Earth And Space and the new Hayden Planetarium bring to me? And what is this new planetarium doing in an article about computers for seniors?
The answers? Something grand for all of us: the world of the computer and visions of the strange and unattainable worlds the computer and the whole new technology brings to our eyes and into our minds. Visions that we, even more than the young in our families, can marvel at. Visions of beauty in a virtual reality whose images enliven dark and sleepless nights. The ever-refreshment of the mind's sense of wonder and amazement.
The Hayden Planetarium (87 feet in diameter) is inside the sphere and appears to float in the Rose Center's glass-walled cube. This awe-inspiring structure has been built and functions with computers. The pictures and projections of space result from the work of computers. Its unique and mind-boggling show would not be possible without the world's most advanced star projector, the Zeiss Mark IX, which is completely computer controlled. This Zeiss machine is capable of projecting over 9,000 stars. Then too, the building is chock full of computers. Whether you are using a computer or not, the sights and exhibits of this museum will lift your spirits and give you a greater understanding of the electronic revolution we are living in. And certainly of our universe, our galaxy and the stars that we are part of. The experience will uplift you.
More, the building's exhibits and shows bring us the joy of the real worlds greater than Star Trek proportions. So far greater that our universe, to say nothing about other universes, is inconceivable - but there. In the Planetarium, we are there, too, traveling into the farthest reaches of the universe, experiencing the miracles of seemingly infinite space and its equally miraculous galaxies, stars and planets. This effect is through the use of three-dimensional astronomical imagery that is as breathtaking as it is scientifically accurate. All due to the lowly, earthbound machine - the computer.
If you do use a computer, and have access to the Internet, you will find some material about the Rose Center and the Hayden Planetarium at http://www.amnh.org.
All is not sweetness and light. One problem is the reaction of the local community to this neighbor: the problem of many buses on the streets (take the subway if you possibly can), the possible increase in air pollution (bus drivers should be severely fined for leaving buses running); loud music at night from the outdoor restaurant and terraces (I am told this is not going to be so); and of course the increased traffic and crowds coming into an essentially residential neighborhood. Since I used to live there, I fully understand the concerns. However, this does not detract from the dazzle and wonder of the Rose Center and the show, nor from its scientific educational value. The new head of the Space Center is Neil de Grasse Tyson, a young black astrophysicist who decided on his future during a childhood visit to the old Hayden Planetarium. If you're living across the street, it's hard to appreciate the significance of this or of the beneficial effects on other children. Still, beauty and progress, seeing and learning, for many, many thousands of both children and seniors balances out against the problems of local residents to a large extent. This building and what it offers is far superior to what was there, as good as it was.
A few of the figures that astounded me may also bring you the same sense of wonder that I had inside the new Center. Here they are:
The Space Show at the new Hayden Planetarium
212-769-5200
Monday through Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturdays 10am - 6pm
The American Museum
of Natural History: http://www.amnh.org.
One other caveat: the total charge seems a little high even in these days for many middle class families, to say nothing of the poor among us. Suggested admission to the American Museum of Natural History including The Rose Center for Earth and Space is $10.00 for adults, $7.50 for students and seniors, and $6.00 for children. But if you want to see the Space Show in the Planetarium, there is an additional charge. The total therefore jumps to $19.00 for adults, $14.00 for students and seniors and $11.50 for children.
There are very reasonable restaurant charges: ranging from $1.00 for a snack or a drink to $10.00 for a meal with a drink. Although prices can mount for parents or grandparents with a couple of children in tow, nonetheless a visit to this new wonder is a magnificent, almost breathtaking birthday or anniversary treat!
Everyone who has or buys a desktop computer should have a surge protector. This item would enable your computer to live through an electrical storm without damage - or so they say! Outlet strips are also inexpensive surge protectors. But the one that I have used for years and like the best is called the Masterpiece Home Office by Kensington.
It is a flat box, with the following dimensions: 13.4"w by 1.5"h by 13.8"d . The Masterpiece has five outlets, so that the monitor, your processing box, your printer and any other peripherals can be plugged in. This in turn enables you to turn all items on or off with one button.
The monitor sits on it which is a slight disadvantage for me because I wear bifocals. For those of us who wear bifocals it is generally better to look down at the monitor screen rather than looking up or even straight at it. For those who do not need bifocals, the screen should be level with your eyes from an ergonomic perspective.
Ergonomics, in case you happen to be as ignorant as I used to be, involves adjusting position when there is repetitive action to a safe standard thereby eliminating the possibility of incurring a problem like carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists. A future column will be more detailed and explicit. This, of course, depends upon your height and the height of your desk or computer stand.
I find the Masterpiece convenient, and in general have more confidence in the surge protection capabilities of this surge protector device than I do in the smaller, less costly ones. The masterpiece retails for 129.29. You can get a list of distribution centers that sell the Masterpiece by calling Kensington's customer service number at 800-535-4242. The price may seem high compared to the strip outlet device, but some of the outlets in the latter go bad after not too long a time. This does not seem to happen with the Masterpiece. If you order one, be sure that the version you are getting will be compatible with whatever computer you are or will be using.
@ Copyright 2000 Shirley Camper Soman