SUNY Potsdam Offers Free Planetarium Shows and Geophysics/Seismology Workshops This Fall

POTSDAM, NY (08/27/2015)(readMedia)-- Geology Professor Emeritus Dr. Frank Revetta will offer two free educational series again this fall at SUNY Potsdam -- including his popular planetarium shows and a series of geophysics/seismology workshops.

All are welcome to attend these free educational events, so mark your calendars!

Planetarium shows are held every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., in the College's planetarium, located in the basement of Stowell Hall. Each show lasts about 45 minutes, and guests of all ages are welcome.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, because once the show begins, the door is locked. Please note that no food or drink are allowed in the planetarium and, as darkness is required, cell phones cannot be used during the show. Free parking is available in Lot 6, near Kellas Hall.

The Fall 2015 planetarium show schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 3: "Circumpolar Constellations"
• Sept. 10: "North Star or Polaris"
• Sept. 17: "Brightest Stars"
• Sept. 24: "Winter Constellations"
• Oct. 1: "Spring & Summer Constellations"
• Oct. 8: "Worldwide Constellations"
• Oct. 15: "How Astronomers Locate Stars & Planets"
• Oct. 22: "The Sun's Path"
• Oct. 29: "The Seasons"
• Nov. 5: "The Constellations of the Zodiac"
• Nov. 12: "Motions in the Heavens"
• Nov. 19: "Precession of Equinox"
• Dec. 3: "Solar System"
• Dec. 10: "The History of Astronomy"

Geophysics/seismology workshops will be held every Tuesday at 4 p.m., in Timerman Hall Room B23, the Revetta-NYPA laboratory. The workshops will consist of a series of exercises, videos and experiments in geophysics and seismology.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interpret seismograms of both local and distant earthquakes, and learn how a seismograph works. You can also learn how to use a gravity meter and magnetometer, as well as seismic and electrical resistivity equipment.

The Fall 2015 geophyiscs/seismology workshop schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 8: "How are Earthquakes Detected?"
• Sept. 15: "Where do Earthquakes Occur?"
• Sept. 22: "Seismic Waves and the Earth's Interior"
• Sept. 29: "Loma Prieta Earthquake"
• Oct. 6: "Seismogram Interpretation: Loma Prieta Quake"
• Oct. 20: "Northridge Earthquake"
• Oct. 27: "Seismogram Interpretation: Northridge Quake"
• Nov. 3: "Tsunamis"
• Nov. 10: "Local Earthquakes: Video"
• Nov. 17: "Local Earthquakes: Exercise"
• Dec. 1: "Gravity and Magnetic Surveying"
• Dec. 8: "Resistivity and Seismic Surveying"

For more information about the planetarium shows and geophysics/seismology workshops at SUNY Potsdam's Department of Geology, please contact Frank Revetta at (315) 267-3441 or revettfa@potsdam.edu, or Roberta Greene at (315) 267-2286 or greenera@potsdam.edu.

To learn more about SUNY Potsdam's Department of Geology, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Geology.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $27 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

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