Virtual Field Trip
The Cernan Earth and Space Center Team at Triton College is excited to offer virtual field trips and a range of other resources to assist you during the mandated stay at home period and until we are able to welcome everyone back to the planetarium.
Virtual Field Trip: Ask an Astronomer
Teachers and group leaders are invited to schedule a live video chat with one of our astronomers to discuss a topic of your choice for up to 25 minutes, free of charge.
- A Cernan astronomer will suggest a video for your group to watch before the live chat
- Teachers and students will be able to discuss and ask questions about the topic for up to 25 minutes
- Questions can be submitted in advance, but we can also open the ‘floor’ to live questions
- Dates and times are flexible using whichever video platform works for you and your group
- Teachers can record and post the session to share with students who were unable to attend at the time.
Some suggested topics for virtual field trips include:
- The Solar System
- Stars
- Pluto
- The Big Bang
- Constellations
- Day and Night
- Exoplanets
- Gravitational Waves
- Pulsars
- Teacher's Choice – You suggest the topic and we are happy to discuss whatever is most helpful for you and your group.
- Virtual field trips are free of charge to any group who would like to coordinate with us. Schedule a session by emailing us at CernanSpaceReservations@gmail.com.
To plan an Ask an Astronomer virtual field trip, email your contact information including a phone number where we can call you along with your grade level, suggested date, time, and topic to CernanSpaceReservations@gmail.com. Our staff will contact you to schedule your virtual field trip. Be sure to have all necessary permissions from your principal, institution, or organization before your session.
Additional Resources
- Download the Monthly Sky Calendar, created by the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, from our Home Page. This handy reference includes a map of what is visible in the current evening sky, when there are no clouds, and details about what you can see in the real sky throughout the month.
- Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/cernancenter to ask questions and find interesting activities, events, and news about all aspects of astronomy and space exploration.
- Visit https://triton.edu/cernan/resources for our growing list of online resources and activities.
- Submit questions to us via cernan@triton.edu or on facebook.
The Cernan Earth and Space Center is here to support schools and youth organizations during these challenging times. We sincerely hope these services will be useful for all educators, teachers, parents, and students while providing engaging, educational, and inspiring opportunities to connect with the amazing Universe which surrounds us.
If you have suggestions for other ways we can help, have any questions, or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us using cernan@triton.edu. Until we can see you in our space again: stay safe, stay healthy, and stay curious.
Clear Skies!
The Cernan Earth and Space Center Team
Kris McCall, Director
Cernan Earth and Space Center
At Triton College
KristineMcCall@triton.edu
P.S. Hopefully, everyone will get an opportunity to go out and observe the REAL sky with family and friends while staying a safe distance apart and wearing a face mask.