Week 3: Barlow Planetarium

If you went to a coffee shop, you'd be unlikely to find coffee haters there, sipping on a cup of joe. I highly doubt you would hear someone shouting, "I hate skiing!!" as they were shushing down a slope, covered in a fresh layer of pristine, white snow.

What is my point? I'm glad you asked.

Events that are focused on one major idea or interest are fascinating. You might see all different kinds of people at a movie theater, outdoor park, or museum even. But, when the event or location is focused, narrowed to a specific type of activity, the attendees are like a secret brotherhood.


That's what going to the Barlow Planetarium was like for me. Me and my space-loving friends sat back and enjoyed an hour-long perusal of that last frontier.

I was surrounded by all ages. There was a group of over anxious 6th grade girls who bum-rushed to the head of the line when the doors opened for the 3:30pm showing of Space Storm. For a second, I thought maybe Justin Bieber was going to introduce the show. Yikes.

There were a few couples. Maybe it was a first date? Well, either a first date or an ironic 17th date. Truth be told, it'd have to be one or the other. What is essentially a glorified slide show about things happening on the surface of the sun is not what you would call classically romantic.

I think I was the only single person present. However, I felt a sort of camaraderie with my fellow interstellar enthusiasts, as we settled in, leaned back, and pretended to be swept away.

Again, if I'm telling the truth, the actual show about Space Storms felt more like a required science class field trip. The end of that show was when the fun really began. Each show ends with a quick tour of the current night sky over Wisconsin. That was pretty cool. The coolest part, though, is when you get a sense of tumbling through space. The whole dome lit up with "stars" and it very literally felt as if the room was spinning.

Our host warned us about it and told us to shut our eyes if we felt disoriented. He truly didn't feel like cleaning up our puke (and I quote). I did feel a bit disoriented, but I sort of loved it. My inner geek, who wished she was an astronaut, embraced the spinning and pretended to be out in space. It was amazing.

The entire experienced concluded with something completely non-spacey. It was a virtual roller coaster ride. I would have preferred to spend more time pretending I was an intergalactic traveler, but I can see why they chose the ride instead. It was kinda silly and fun. And, they really need to keep people coming back to the shows. It's the hook. I suddenly remember that the host had said that group of excited girls had been in the earlier show, too. I bet they came back for the roller coaster ride. See...it's working.

I hope people go to the Barlow. They need your money. I love space and I don't want to see this sort of cheap, but fun entertainment die. That, and they need to update their shows, preferably one with a narrator that doesn't seem like a creepy predator. (If you've seen this show, you know what I mean. And, if you haven't....well, now you want to. And I've done my job.)

All in all, an enjoyable experience.