SUNY Potsdam Offers Free Planetarium Shows and Seismology Workshops Again This Fall

POTSDAM, NY (08/23/2016)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam Geology Professor Emeritus Dr. Frank Revetta will offer two free educational series again this fall -- including his popular planetarium shows and a series of seismology workshops.

All are welcome to attend these free educational events, so please 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 2016 planetarium show schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 8: "Circumpolar Constellations"
• Sept. 15: "North Star (Polaris)"
• Sept. 22: "Spring & Summer Constellations"
• Sept. 29: "Worldwide Constellations"
• Oct. 6: "Winter Constellations"
• Oct. 13: "Brightest Stars"
• Oct. 20: "How Astronomers Locate Stars"
• Oct. 27: "Constellations of the Zodiac"
• Nov. 3: "The Sun's Path"
• Nov. 10: "The Seasons"
• Nov. 17: "The Solar System"
• Dec. 1: "Stories of Constellations"
• Dec. 8: "Precession"
• Dec. 15: "The Sky this Week"

Seismology workshops will be held every Tuesday at 4 p.m., in the Revetta-NYPA Laboratory, located in Timerman Hall Room B23. 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 use of seismic and electrical resistivity equipment to conduct seismic and resistivity surveys will be taught, which is very effective in locating groundwater and estimating the depth to bedrock.

The Fall 2016 seismology workshop schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 13: "How Earthquakes Are Detected"
• Sept. 20: "Where Earthquakes Occur"
• Sept. 27: "Seismic Waves and the Earth's Interior"
• Oct. 4: "Loma Prieta Earthquake"
• Oct. 18: "Seismogram Interpretation: Loma Prieta Quake"
• Oct. 25: "Northridge Earthquake"
• Nov. 1: "Seismogram Interpretation: Northridge Quake"
• Nov. 8: "Tsunamis"
• Nov. 15: "Local Earthquakes: Video"
• Nov. 22: "Local Earthquakes: Exercise"
• Nov. 29: "Plate Tectonics"

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, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has raised $33.5 million for scholarships and programs.

###