Zacheis Planetarium is 41-years-old (08-22-05)
The Adams State College Zacheis Planetarium turns forty-one on September 29. In 1964 the planetarium officially opened and has been providing free shows to the community for four decades.
Zacheis Planetarium is named for Harry Zacheis, the original ASC Foundation president, who was instrumental in obtaining a large bequest for the Leon sisters for the construction of Leon Memorial. He was president of the Alamosa National Bank and was named Citizen of the Year by the Alamosa Chamber.
A scrapbook housed in the planetarium contains newspaper clippings, photos, and the invitation and menu for the fundraising dinner to build the planetarium held in January of 1964.
Before the building was opened, the Honorary Awards and Degrees Committee recommended the planetarium be named after Zacheis. It is recorded that Zacheis requested, "No such identifying of buildings in his name as long as he lived."
While Zacheis was president of the ASC Foundation, he saw the construction of the original Student Union Building, Leon Memorial and the Planetarium.
The Trustees of the State Colleges of Colorado in May 1971, following a recommendation presented to the ASC faculty the month before, officially named the Zacheis Planetarium and Observatory.
Through the years, the planetarium has received new equipment, presented shows with relevance to current affairs, and invited the public to view the stars through the telescopes.
On March 3, 1982 the planets were within 95 degrees of complete alignment and the planetarium presented "Planets of Doom." Last spring Emmons and the students who work in the planetarium presented Ring World, a brief history of the exploration of Saturn. And for years the annual show, Star of Wonder, which focuses on an investigation into the Christmas Star, is shown in December.
Downstairs in Zacheis Planetarium is a large plaque with names engraved on brass plates, a testimony of the donors dedicated to education in science. The Leon sisters were the biggest donors, other names include: ASC class of 1963, Alamosa National Bank, Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Hested Stores Inc., Kiwanis, PEO Sisterhood, A. O. Adamson, Jack Cooper, Virginia Hill, Harry Hull, Lloyd Jones, Escolostica Martinez, Marvin Motz, Gabby Picone, Amos Padilla, Fred Plachy, and Kay Watkins.
The plaque isn't the only place names are found in the building.
"The planetarium's work-study students have always given so much more than what is asked of them," said Planetarium Director and Professor of Physics, Dr. Randy Emmons, "For years now they have signed their names on a place in the building that is important to them."
Signatures are found on the stairs from the student who fell down them, in the elevator because one work-study was stuck in it, murals cover walls, and glow in the dark stars lead the way up the staircase - all contributions from past student employees.
Dr. Noble Gantvoort was the first director. In an article in the scrapbook he estimates 8000 visitors came to the planetarium the first year.
That trend has continued and developed into more than just star gazing. According to Emmons the planetarium recorded nearly 10,000 visitor-hours of free shows to public schools and community during the 2004-05 academic year. He has also expanded the planetarium's services to include robots, rockets, and telescope workshops.
"I offered free three-hour robotic workshops for small groups of high school students during the spring semester," Emmons said. With the help of a grant from the U.S. Army, the workshops will be expanded.
Lloyd Nelson from the community helped Emmons run the workshops.
Every fall for the last five years, Emmons and the Department of Math/Computer Science/Physics has held a rocket launching contest for San Luis Valley students. Last fall, about 80 students competed for scholarships and other prizes.
"This year we had a class from Pueblo participate in the event," said Emmons. "I want to do all I can for the community. It is my way of giving back."
