News Detail
See the stars & learn the constellations at SUNY Potsdam's Planetarium
09.03.09
The public is invited to reach into the heavens to learn more about the stars and constellations with several planetarium shows presented by SUNY Potsdam Distinguished Service Professor of Geology Dr. Frank Revetta.
Discover “Circumpolar and Constellation Motions in the Heavens” on September 10, “Summer – Fall Constellations” on September 24, “Winter Constellations” on October 8, “Brightest Stars and How They are Located” on October 22, “Constellations Throughout the World” on November 5, “Constellations of the Zodiac” on November 19 and “Relaxation Music” on December 10.
All shows take place on Thursdays at 4 p.m. They are free, and the public is invited to attend.
Dr. Revetta presents hundreds of planetarium programs on campus to school children, alumni and other groups of interested individuals each year. He also presents dozens of teacher workshops in geology and geophysics, conducts numerous projects related to local issues or problems, and teaches inmates in local correctional facilities.
Dr. Revetta is a dedicated teacher, scholar and volunteer. He teaches every year, all year, including every winter and summer term. He has obtained a number of external grants and donated equipment that he uses as teaching tools in his classes.
Through his nine-station Potsdam Seismic Network, which he started in the early 1970s, Dr. Revetta has taught hundreds of students who have gained valuable hands-on experience through field research, learning to maintain and trouble-shoot scientific instrumentation, and to compile data and interpret events that the seismic network detects.
The network lies in the most active seismic region in New York state, known as the northern New York-Western Quebec seismic zone.
Dr. Revetta includes students in all of his research activities and often has three or four students presenting their research at national meetings. This experience is invaluable to students, as it gives them the opportunity not only to conduct research and analyze results, but also to prepare written reports and posters and present findings to a professional group. This experience also provides the students with an important academic credential and often leads to distinguished graduate schools and careers in geophysics.
Operated by SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Geology, the network is used in the earth science, physical geology, geophysics and seismology courses. During the academic year, the network is operated by students in the seismology course, who use the data for undergraduate research projects that many present at the Geology Society of America meeting each year.
The network also provides data to area industry, government agencies, schools and the general public.
Dr. Revetta is a nationally recognized expert in the field of seismology and is interviewed frequently by national media such as CNN, MSNBC, the Associated Press and the “New York Times.” He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and presenter at many professional meetings.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the College and community, Dr. Revetta was awarded the SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Award, the highest rank bestowed upon SUNY professors. He also has received the SUNY Potsdam President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and was made an honorary member of the College’s Alumni Association in 2005.