The RMPA Web Site Library is designed to provide a source of information and data exchange to planetarians and science education specialists by sharing articles, ideas, papers, images and visuals, royalty free. Any RMPA member can visit this area to view our articles and papers or utilize the images in our library. If you see something you would like to obtain, and are not a member, please visit the Membership Page to find out how to become one!

• Membership List
  • Current RMPA Members
    
    
• Articles
  • What Is "Space Grant" and How Can It Help Planetaria?
    by Mike Murray
    
  • Fiber Optic Effects
    by Aaron McEuen
    
  • The Sky is Falling
    by Aaron McEuen
    
  • Inspiration
    by Aaron McEuen
    
    
• Archaeoastronomy Image Set and Descriptions
  • Slideset Images
    
  • Slide Descriptions
    by Jim Manning and Bob Yaw
    
  • A Guide to Archaeoastronomy at Hovenweep, Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly
    by Von Del Chamberlain
    
    
• Planetarium Primer Articles - Revised! (pdf)
  • Purpose of the Planetarium Primer
    
  • Introduction: Planetariums and the Popularization of Science
    by Mike Murray
    
    SECTION A: Operating a Modern-Day Planetarium: "The Big Picture"
  • Role and Value of the Planetarium
    by Jeanne Bishop
    
  • Philosophy and Directions in Planetarium Programming
    by Tom Clarke
    
  • The Development Triangle
    by James Horn
    
  • Facility Configuration
    by Rick Greenawald
    
  • Public Education in Astronomy
    by Andrew Fraknoi
    
  • Budget Elements in a Planetarium Operation
    by Mike Murray
    
  • Links Between Planetarians, Educators and Scientists
    by Carolyn Collins Petersen
    
  • The Monty Python, Barnum and Bailey, Super Deluxe Planetarium of the Future
    by Jim Manning
    
    SECTION B: "You Need To Know..."
  • Astronomy Learning and Student Thinking
    by Jeanne Bishop
    
  • Fighting Science Illiteracy from the Planetarium
    by Dave Hostetter
    
  • The Educational Value of the Planetarium
    by Jeanne Bishop
    
  • Hiring and Training for Excellence
    by Bill Peters
    
  • The Art of Managing Planetarium Assistants
    by Christine Shupla
    
  • Developing a Support Staff
    by Mike Murray
    
  • A Method for Training Staff in a College Planetarium
    by Eileen Starr
    
  • Leveraging Volunteers
    by Victoria Wiggins
    
  • Professional Work Ethics for Planetarians
    by Mike Murray
    
    SECTION C: "Whuddya Doin' Under There?"
  • Introduction to Show Design
    by Mike Murray
    
  • AV Presentations: Pizzazz With a Purpose
    by Pamela Picard
    
  • Scriptwriting For Beginners
    by Steve Tidey
    
  • Scriptwriting Workshop
    by Fran Biddy
    
  • Planetarians and the Art of Communication
    by Steve Tidey
    
  • Ask the Teacher: Keeping Control in the Theater
    by Roger Keen
    
  • Live Star Presentations: An Outline of Key Techniques
    by Chris Scott
    
  • Story Telling in the Planetarium: Two Approaches
    by John Meader
    
  • Humorous Astronomical Anecdotes
    by Steve Tidey
    
  • Astronomical Quotes
    by Steve Tidey
    
  • Criteria for Producing Planetarium Entertainment Shows
    by Mike Murray
    
  • Be Creative: 30 Ways to Use Your Dome
    by Bess Amaral
    
  • Reviewing a Planetarium Show
    by Mike Murray
    
    SECTION D: "It's An Audio/Visual Medium!"
  • Music For Planetarium Sky-Shows
    by Paul Kaplan
    
  • Sound Advice: The Aesthetic Approach to Blending Ideas with Emotion
    by Phyllis Pitluga
    
    SECTION E: "I'm Paying For This Microphone, Mr. Bush..."
  • So, You Want To Be a Fundraiser?
    by Sheri Barton Trbovich
    
  • How to Obtain Funding
    by Bess Amaral
    
  • Corporate Sponsorship: Fact, Fiction, and Practicalities
    by Hanly Burton
    
  • Some Notes on Planetarium Promotion
    by Mike Murray
    
  • Facts First: An Information Based Approach to Making Membership Matter
    by Charlie Wilson
    
    SECTION F: "Remember the Scout's Motto..." (Resources for Planetarians)
  • The GLPA "TIPS" Booklets
    by Gary Sampson
    
  • Planetarium Poetry, Music, and Articles
    by Gary Tomlinson
    
  • Internet Action: A List of Useful Internet Resources
    by Alan Gould
    
  • Native American Starlore Bibliography
    by Bob Yaw
    
    SECTION G: Supportive Activities
  • Teaching in an Outreach Program
    by David Levy
    
  • A Local Newspaper Column about Astronomy and the Night Sky
    by David Friend
    
  • How to Host a Radio Astronomy Show
    by Jon Bell
    
  • Astronomy Day
    by Gary Tomlinson
    
  • Organizing Your Universe: How to Grow an Astronomy Club
    by Mike Murray
    
  • The Sky Promoter's Ten Commandments
    by Jon Bell
    
  
  
• Papers
  • DEM's (Digital Elevation Maps) and Lightwave 6.5
    • This paper shows how to make accurate topographical maps using Lightwave and DEM (Digital Elevation Maps) data downloaded from GISDataDepot.
      Author: Aaron McEuen
      Contact Info: 801-266-7207 or atmceuen@starlight-prod.com
• Images
  • Clark (formerly Hansen) Planetarium