Science & Outdoors
Lights, camera, and lasers
The Pointer
jmath438@uwsp.edu
A psychedelic laser light show set to classic and modern rock music can be seen at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.
The laser light show usually plays every fall and spring semester, but due to scheduling problems, it was only available during the spring semester of the 2008-09 school year.
Located on the second floor of the UW-SP science building, the planetarium is currently housing a laser light system manufactured by Audio Visual Imagineering.
The laser light system works using a red and green solid-state laser. The lasers are directed through high speed scanners which give viewers a wide range of visual outputs.
“This is definitely something a little out of the ordinary,” said Dr. Randy Olson, planetarium director.
The UW-SP science department rents the system for about $400 a week and uses the laser light shows as fundraisers for the department’s public planetarium programs, which are free of charge.
“If we didn’t have a fundraiser, we wouldn’t be able to buy a new show every year or every other year,” said Olson.
Students and community members visiting the planetarium laser light shows can listen to music ranging from classics such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to the more contemporary artists Metallica, Fatboy Slim and the Crystal Method.
The program costs $3 with a student ID, $4 for other students and $5 for adults. The program runs from Feb. 25-28 and March 4-7. Each show is played at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased the day of the show.
