1. 2 timothy ferris, america’s writer laureate of astronomy, award winning filmmaker, journalist...
TRANSCRIPT
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Timothy Ferris, America’s Writer Laureate of astronomy, award winning filmmaker, journalist and
best-selling author.
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In conversation today with:
Barbara Wilson, who teaches at the George Observatory at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She appears in “Seeing in the Dark.”
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“Seeing in the Dark”Premieres on PBS – Sept. 19 (8:00 p.m.)
• This 60-minute, state-of-the-art, high-definition (HDTV) documentary celebrates the wonders of stargazing.
• Based on Timothy Ferris’ award-winning book, the film features never before-seen astronomical photography, special effects and a memorable original score by Mark Knopfler & Guy Fletcher.
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Astronomers Featured in
“Seeing in the Dark”
6Robert Smith, former NFL running back
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The Bisque Brothers, designers of telescope-control software
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Other Astronomers in the Film
• Steven James O’Meara, artist & astronomy writer
• Ron Bissinger, corporate CEO & planet hunter• Rob Gendler, deep-space astrophotographer• Michael Koppelman, musician who images light
older than Earth• Debra Fischer, astrophysicist at U.C. Berkeley
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World Class Production Team
• Hollywood cinematographer Francis Kenny• BBC natural history director Nigel Ashcroft• Celebrated astronomical special-effects artist
Don Davis• Sound designer Kate Hopkins• Three-time Academy Award® winner Walter
Murch, and• Astrophotographers Robert Gendler, Jack
Newton and Akira Fujii.
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“Seeing in the Dark” Two Special Websites
• http://www.seeinginthedark.org – Includes press materials.
• PBS.org/seeinginthedark – Major site goes live Sept. 5. Enables viewers to print star charts, download educational materials and learn more about the people and the concepts in the film.
• Features field tested stargazing exercises and encourages viewers to participate in local star parties.
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“Pbs.org/Seeinginthedark”Special Features
• A guide to “Birthday Stars” which are the stars whose light reaches earth in the same amount of time since you were born.
• Your Sky Tonight, an interactive chart that allows visitors to view & print out information on the night sky in their location.
• Essays on astronomy topics • How-to video which will help budding
astronomers learn how to stargaze.
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“Seeing in the Dark” You Can Connect with PBS Stations• Log on to www.pbs.org – Home page
• “Station Finder” will help you locate local PBS station.
• Contact the public information director or outreach director.
• Discuss joint events - film screenings, star parties or other activities with your club.
• Help promote the film in your community.
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Astronomical Society of the Pacific Premiere Event
“Seeing in the Dark”—Special Preview:
ASP’s national conference in Chicago, Illinois, Sept. 4 – 7:30 p.m.
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“Seeing in the Dark”Local Screenings
• Boulder, CO., Fiske Planetarium, Aug.29, 7:00 p.m.
• Denver, CO., Boettcher Auditorium, Sept. 12, 7:00 p.m. (Features the Bisque Brothers)
• Hilo, Hawaii, Imola Astronomy Center, Sept. 3• Hartford, Connecticut – Children’s Museum,
Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m.• Philadelphia, Franklin Institute, Sept. 13
(tentative.)
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“Seeing in the Dark” Robotic Telescope
• Located at a high-altitude site in New Mexico• Will allow students to image star clusters,
nebulae, and galaxies for themselves• Teachers are invited to use the Internet
telescope by logging on to www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark after Sept. 5
• Turn around time from receiving an email request to the image being emailed back will be approximately a day or two.
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Questions?
Thank you for your interest in
“Seeing in the Dark”