Ward Beecher Planetarium at Youngstown State University is planning a special premiere for ''Cosmic Castaways,'' a full-dome original production it created.
The premiere on Oct. 4 will start with a reception on the fifth floor of YSU's Maag Library starting at 7 p.m. followed by the screening of the movie in the planetarium at 8:30 p.m.
The 20-minute movie is about intracluster stars - the stars that are removed from galaxies because of galaxy collisions - and is based partially on research by Feldmeier and Pat Durrell, YSU associate professor of astronomy and planetarium director. The movie was produced at YSU and was funded as part of Feldmeier's research grant from the National Science Foundation.
Pamela Gay, an assistant research professor of graduate studies and research at Southern Illinois University and executive director of the Astrophere New Media Association, narrates the movie. Her research focuses on how to most effectively engage the public in learning and doing astronomy online.
Tickets for the premiere are $75, and proceeds will benefit the Ward Beecher Planetarium and Cosmoquest. Reservations can be made at tinyurl.com/ ccpremiere.
According to Feldmeier, "The idea behind the fundraiser is pretty simple: we think 'Cosmic Castaways' is a great production, and we would like to do more shows in the future and release them to the public."
''Cosmic Castaways'' will make its public debut at 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at the planetarium. For more information, call 330-941-3616.